Minehead to Lynmouth

The Exmoor Coastline stretches for 34 miles, which is some of the highest coastline on the British mainland. The scenic drive from Minehead to Lynmouth runs for 17 miles along the A39 and offers stunning countryside scenery.

The trip starts by heading west out of Minehead on a 3-lane carriageway, which runs on a gentle uphill gradient. The road then reverts to two lanes, at the top of the hill. Pass turnings for Blackford and Selworthy and carry on until the road forks, take the left hand route down the hill, which will take you into Porlock.

Porlock is nestled amongst the hills of North Exmoor right on the edge of a salt marsh which separates the hills from the Bristol Channel. The village is low-lying but is home to the steepest hill on an A road in Britain, climbing about 400m in two miles. From the top you will experience spectacular views of the South Wales coast and Bristol Channel.

Two miles from Porlock on the B2335 is Porlock Weir, a small settlement that has grown around the harbour. Porlock Weir has many old houses including the Gibraltar Cottages which date from the 17th century and have been designated by English Heritage as a grade II listed building.

Driving out of Porlock, the toll road rejoins the A39 and from here the road passes through some beautiful woods. This is now National Trust territory. You will meander through the highest sea cliffs in England, which eventually give way to the Lyn Gorge which is site to the small town of Lynmouth.