Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 01643-862753;
www.millersuk.com/anchor
; Porlock Weir; s £65-95, d £90-140; )
Stuffed with random
antiques, overflowing with piled-up books, and scattered with exotic rugs, Millers delivers
an enjoyably overwhelming dose of English eccentricity. Gilt-framed mirrors jostle with
marble busts in rooms boasting vast beds and captivating views of Porlock Weir, but the
tomes in the library, chess set in the lounge and quirky home cinema may tempt you out
of your room. It's all run by the man behind the eponymous antiques guides and gin label
- it's a winning combo here.
Eating & Drinking
Ship Inn
(Top Ship;
www.shipinnporlock.co.uk
; High St, Porlock; d/f £70/80, mains £8-15; meals noon-2.30pm & 6-9pm;
)
Coleridge and pal Robert Southey both downed pints in this fabulous, thatched Por-
lock pub - you can even sit beside the regulars in 'Southey's Corner'. Substantial pub
food, mainly steaks, roasts and stews, are served in the bar, and there are 10 light rooms in
pine and cream.
INN
£
Ship Inn
(Bottom Ship;
www.shipinnporlockweir.co.uk
;
Porlock Weir; mains from £8; meals noon-3pm & 6-8.30pm)
Con-
fusingly, both Porlock and Porlock Weir have a pub called the Ship. This one, at the foot
of the hill at Porlock Weir, is nick-named the Bottom Ship. At lunchtime its beer garden
fills up with locals and hikers.
PUB
£
Culbone restaurant,
( 01643-862259;
www.theculbone.com
; near Porlock; d £75-100, mains £9-22; meals noon-10pm Mon-Sat, to
9pm Sun; )
The menu at this smart restaurant-with-rooms is stuffed with local produce;
from the 28-day aged Devon Red steaks (choose from three different cuts or a huge
chat-
eaubriand
for two) and Exmoor lamb, to the Somerset goat's cheese risotto. The setting is
pure contemporary-chic, with slate floors and black leather chairs - a vibe which runs into
the upstairs rooms. Its on the A39, situated 4 miles west of Porlock.
INN
££
Cafe Porlock Weir
( 01643-863300;
www.thecafeporlockweir.co.uk
; Porlock Weir; lunch mains £5-11; dinner mains £10-25;
noon-8pm Wed-Sun)
The dining room views of sea-blown Porlock Weir are pretty special, and
the food is full of Exmoor character too. Lunch might be goujons of beer-battered fish and
RESTAURANT, HOTEL
££
