Horner Cottage, Luccombe

In Porlock Village (approximately 1 mile)

The Top Ship (The Ship Inn) -- A 13th-century coaching inn on Porlock High Street and winner of CAMRA Somerset Pub of the Year 2025. A family-run free house serving real ales, homemade food using local produce, and roaring log fires in winter. Breakfast, lunch, and evening meals served daily. Large outdoor seating area and children's play area for summer.

The Royal Oak -- A traditional, dog-friendly pub on Porlock High Street, with food available all day Tuesday to Saturday.

Ziangs at the Olde Chapel -- Malaysian, Chinese, and Indonesian cuisine set in a converted chapel in Porlock village. Family recipes going back five generations from Borneo. A wonderful alternative to traditional pub food.

Porlock Pizza -- An Italian-themed cafe, pizzeria, and takeaway on Porlock High Street with a bring-your-own alcohol policy and a secluded courtyard garden. Open Easter to October.

Whortleberry Tearoom -- A welcoming tea room on Porlock High Street serving homemade cakes, cream teas, and light lunches.

In Porlock Weir (approximately 2 miles)

The Bottom Ship -- A charming 400-year-old thatched pub overlooking the Bristol Channel in the centre of Porlock Weir. Local ales, West Country cider, and hearty pub food. Dog-friendly with a roaring fire in winter and outdoor seating in summer.

The Porlock Weir Hotel -- The hotel restaurant serves seasonal dishes using local produce, with a terrace overlooking the harbour. Afternoon teas and Sunday lunch are particularly popular. Wood-fired pizza is recommended in warmer months.

Locanda on the Weir -- An intimate Michelin-listed restaurant with just five tables, run by Neapolitan chef Pio. The five-course tasting menu showcases modern Italian cooking using Exmoor produce. Booking essential.

In the Horner Valley

Horner Vale Tearoom -- Set beside the babbling Horner Water, this is the perfect stop after a walk through Horner Woods. Homemade cakes, speciality meringues, scones with clotted cream, ploughman's lunches, and locally produced ice cream. Open Easter to September.

Nearby Villages

Periwinkle Tea Rooms, Selworthy -- One of England's best-known tea rooms, set in a historic thatched cottage in the heart of the National Trust village of Selworthy. Cream teas with a view across the vale.

Kitnors Tea Rooms, Bossington -- A lovely tea room in the picturesque hamlet of Bossington, a stone's throw from the beach.

From the Doorstep

Horner Woods National Nature Reserve -- One of the largest ancient oak woodlands in Britain begins just minutes from the cottage. Look out for the General, an impressive oak tree over 500 years old. The woodland supports 14 of the 16 UK bat species, red deer, pied flycatchers, wood warblers, and dippers. A 17th-century packhorse bridge and a Tudor iron-smelting site are hidden amongst the trees.

Climb Dunkery Beacon -- Exmoor's highest point at 519 metres is accessible on foot directly from West Luccombe via Horner Woods. From the summit cairn, views extend across the Bristol Channel to Wales, and on clear days as far as the Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor, and Bodmin Moor. One of the finest hilltop panoramas in southern England.

Horse riding at Burrowhayes Farm -- Escorted rides through the Horner Valley and onto the open moorland of Dunkery and Ley Hill. Small children's ponies available for parents to lead. Approximately 200 metres from the cottage.

Explore Luccombe village -- A short stroll to one of Exmoor's prettiest villages, with its impressive medieval church of St Mary's and many thatched cottages. Mentioned in the Domesday Book.

Nearby

Selworthy -- A fairytale National Trust village of cream-washed thatched cottages, free to visit. Selworthy Beacon above the village offers superb views and an Iron Age enclosure known as Bury Castle. Approximately 2 miles.

Porlock Weir -- A picturesque 15th-century harbour village with a tidal harbour, independent shops, galleries, Porlock Bay Oysters, and excellent restaurants. Approximately 2 miles.

Allerford -- A charming hamlet with a 15th-century packhorse bridge, one of the few working forges left in the country, and unusual round chimneys on its cottages. Approximately 2 miles.

Wider Exmoor

Dunster Castle -- A striking medieval castle set in beautiful gardens, managed by the National Trust. Approximately 20 minutes by car.

Tarr Steps -- An ancient clapper bridge across the River Barle, surrounded by wonderful woodland walks. Approximately 30 minutes by car.

Lynmouth and Lynton -- The famous cliff railway connects these twin villages. The Valley of Rocks nearby is spectacular. Approximately 13 miles along the coast.

Exmoor Zoo -- A popular family attraction with big cats, monkeys, and birds of prey. Approximately 20 minutes by car.

Walks from the Doorstep

Horner Woods circular -- Follow the banks of Horner Water through ancient oak woodland in the National Nature Reserve. Several routes of varying length, from a gentle 2-mile riverside stroll to longer circuits taking in Webber's Post viewpoint. Red deer are regularly seen, especially at dawn and dusk.

Dunkery Beacon via Horner Woods -- A rewarding walk climbing through the woodland and onto open heather moorland to the summit of Exmoor at 519 metres. Approximately 7 miles round trip from West Luccombe. The views from the top are exceptional in every direction.

Selworthy and Bossington circular -- A lovely circuit through the thatched village of Selworthy and across to Bossington, with views across the marshes and Porlock Bay. Approximately 5 miles with an optional extension to Selworthy Beacon.

Luccombe, Webber's Post, and Ley Hill -- A circular route taking in Luccombe village, climbing to the viewpoint at Webber's Post overlooking the Horner Valley, then across Ley Hill. Outstanding views throughout.

South West Coast Path -- The famous long-distance trail passes through Bossington and Porlock Weir, both within easy reach. Head east towards Minehead via Selworthy Beacon, or west through the dramatic coastal woods towards Culbone and Lynmouth. The route has been updated as part of the King Charles III England Coast Path.

Culbone Church -- A beautiful walk through ancient woodland to St Beuno's, reputedly England's smallest complete parish church. Just 35 feet long and seating 33. Accessible via the coast path from Porlock Weir. Approximately 1.5 miles each way.

Beaches

Bossington Beach -- A dramatic pebble beach backed by marshland, approximately 2 miles from the cottage. A wild and beautiful spot with views across Porlock Bay to the wooded coastline beyond.

Porlock Bay -- A sweeping 3-mile pebble beach stretching from Porlock Weir to Bossington. Accessible from several points along its length.

Minehead -- Sandy beaches can be found at Minehead, approximately 15 minutes by car.

North Devon beaches -- The golden sand beaches at Woolacombe, Croyde, and Saunton are within reach for a day trip, approximately 1 hour by car.