Minehead
Added on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
‘The real enticement of Porlock’ says my Rough Guide, ‘is its extraordinary position in a deep hollow, cupped on three sides by the hogbacked hills of Exmoor.’ All fine and dandy, but thanks to that geography this West Country village - which riders hit early doors on this great insidebikes route - offers a 1:4 tarmac treat, the road soaring 1,350 feet in under three miles.
But this route is more than swooping heights, the trail through Exmoor yielding some real twisters and mind-blowing views, be they out across the unspoilt Atlantic coast or in towards the granite wilderness of the moor. A genuine treat.
The Route
Minehead - Porlock - Lynmouth - Ilfracombe - Simonsbath - Wheddons Cross - Minehead
Head west from Minehead on the A39 through Porlock making sure you enjoy the road as it soars skywards on a 1 in 4. Continue on the A39 to Lynmouth and on past Churchtown to the junction with the A399, which you take heading North West to Combe Martin and up to Ilfracombe. This pretty seaside resort is not a bad place to stop for a brew and a lolly before returning back the way you came down the A399 past the A39 junction and hanging a left on to the B3358 which will take you through Challacombe to Simonsbath. Here you join the B3223 for a short while and then pick up the B3224 for Wheddons Cross where you then take the north-bound A396 up through Dunster to rejoin the A39 back to Minehead.
Speed Traps
No Gatso’s, mobiles or unmarkeds reported - unless you know better.
Pitstop
The Rest and Be Thankful Inn earned its name because the stage coaches climbing the steep hill into Exmoor1s highest village at Wheddons Cross needed to! A champion of real ales it counts Ruddles, Theakstons and Old Speckled Hen among its beers which are complemented by a range of bar meals. For a traditional cream tea, snack or a bite of lunch, try out The Horner Tea Gardens west of Minehead or the Fuschia Tea Room & Garden at Lee, west of Ilfracombe.
