As a non-commercial Community web site we rely totally on people in the community to send us information and photos that will add to other people's knowledge of Exmoor and its surrounding area. Many thanks to the thousands of people who have contributed information so far to Everything Exmoor.Do you know the history of a particular place or have a story to tell about a local character? If so please send it along.
In 1840 Mr Blathwayt, the Lord of the Manor, built a new road designed to bypass the infamously steep Porlock Hill. Since it was a toll road many chose not to use it. The road was dug out manually to provide work for local people following the Napoleonic Wars. Tolls were taken at the bottom of the hill by staff at The Ship Inn. There used to be a tollgate opposite what is now the village hall. At busy times of the day staff would run out from the bar to deal with travelers; at less busy times one of the boys would sit by the gate.
This is a 4.2 mile woodland toll road rising from the edge of Porlock up onto Exmoor some two miles from the picturesque harbour and the village of Porlock Weir.
Ever since the early days of motoring Porlock has enjoyed a unique place in the history of motor sport. The Lands End Trial, which started around dawn in London, passed through Porlock at breakfast time and for some Porlock Hill, 5.6km (35£ miles) long and as steep as 1 in 4 (25 per cent) in places, was as far as they got. Even now, the annual Lands End to John O'Groats run comes through Porlock in December. Once or twice a year the
scenic Toll Road is used as a rally special stage and ir summer there is an invitation hill climb which each yeai raises a large sum for local and national charities.
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This site is continually being updated - last major update 07th April 2008
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