Camping in Porlock

Porlock and the surrounding vale offer a handful of small, well-placed campsites and glamping sites rather than large holiday parks, reflecting the area's quiet, rural character within Exmoor National Park. As in the rest of England, wild camping on Exmoor is not legally permitted without the landowner's express consent, so pitching up on the open moor or shingle ridge without arrangement is not an option; instead, small farm-based campsites around Porlock, Bossington and Allerford offer pitches for tents, campervans and touring caravans, often with views towards the moor or the sea.

The terrain here is a real draw for campers: Exmoor's combes and heather moorland rise directly behind the village, the coast path threads west towards Culbone through ancient oak woodland, and Porlock Weir's harbour and shingle beach are an easy walk or cycle from most sites. Facilities tend to be simple rather than resort-style, suiting those who want a base for walking, cycling and exploring rather than an on-site entertainment programme, though some sites offer showers, electric hook-up and small shops or honesty boxes for essentials.

Late spring through early autumn is the most reliable camping season, when Exmoor's weather is at its calmest and the moorland tracks are driest; the notorious 1-in-4 gradient of Porlock Hill is also worth bearing in mind when planning a route in with a heavy caravan or trailer tent, as the gentler toll road provides a safer alternative climb. For those who prefer solid walls without giving up the outdoor feel, a growing number of glamping options — shepherd's huts, bell tents and safari-style tents — have appeared on farms around the vale, offering made-up beds and sometimes wood-fired hot tubs while keeping the same views over Exmoor and the Bristol Channel that draw campers to the area.