Orchard Yurt, Allerford

Nearby

Allerford itself has no pub or restaurant, but there are excellent options within a short drive.

Periwinkle Tea Rooms, Selworthy -- Just half a mile away in the beautiful National Trust village of Selworthy. A delightful tea room serving cream teas, homemade cakes, and light lunches in one of the prettiest settings on Exmoor. Surrounded by thatched cottages with views across the vale. Seasonal opening.

The Ship Inn, Porlock -- Approximately 2 miles from Allerford. A welcoming 13th-century inn at the bottom of Porlock High Street, serving excellent food using locally sourced ingredients. The menu features Exmoor steaks, fresh seafood, and seasonal specials alongside classic pub fare. Real ales and a good wine list. Dogs welcome in the bar. Food served daily for lunch and dinner.

The Top Ship, Porlock -- Also approximately 2 miles from Allerford, at the top of Porlock High Street. A traditional community pub named CAMRA Somerset Pub of the Year 2025. Known for its well-kept ales, warm welcome, and regular live music nights. A proper locals' pub with a friendly atmosphere.

Whortleberry Tearoom, Porlock -- A popular tea room on Porlock High Street serving homemade cakes, cream teas, and light lunches. A good stop after exploring the village.

A Little Further

The Luttrell Arms, Dunster -- Approximately 4 miles from Allerford. A historic coaching inn at the foot of Dunster Castle, dating back to the 15th century. The restaurant serves modern British cuisine with locally sourced ingredients. A lovely setting in one of Somerset's finest medieval villages.

Minehead restaurants -- Approximately 4 miles from Allerford. The coastal town of Minehead has a good selection of restaurants, fish and chip shops, cafes, and pubs, offering everything from traditional pub food to Indian and Chinese cuisine.

The Exmoor Forest Inn, Simonsbath -- Approximately 10 miles from Allerford. Awarded a Michelin Green Star for sustainable gastronomy. The daily-changing menu features beef and lamb from their own organic hill farm, sourced within a twelve-mile radius. Booking strongly recommended.

Allerford Packhorse Bridge -- One of the finest medieval packhorse bridges in Somerset, this beautiful twin-arched stone bridge over the River Aller is a wonderful subject for photography and a reminder of the ancient trade routes that once crossed Exmoor.

Allerford Museum -- Housed in the former village school beside the packhorse bridge, this charming local museum tells the story of rural life on Exmoor through displays of agricultural tools, domestic items, photographs, and a reconstructed Victorian schoolroom.

Selworthy Village -- Just half a mile from Allerford. One of the finest National Trust villages in England, with whitewashed thatched cottages arranged around a sloping green. The 15th-century All Saints' Church at the top of the village offers magnificent views across the Holnicote Estate to Dunkery Beacon. Well worth a leisurely visit.

Holnicote Estate -- The National Trust's 12,500-acre Holnicote Estate surrounds Allerford and encompasses ancient woodland, open moorland, farmland, and the villages of Selworthy, Bossington, and Lynch. A wonderful landscape for walking, wildlife watching, and exploring.

Dunster Castle -- Approximately 4 miles from Allerford. A dramatic hilltop castle owned by the National Trust, set within beautiful terraced gardens and subtropical planting. The medieval village of Dunster below is also well worth exploring, with its octagonal Yarn Market, priory church, and working watermill.

Bossington Beach -- Approximately 2 miles from Allerford. A dramatic shingle ridge with views across the Bristol Channel to the Welsh coast. The walk from Allerford to Bossington through the estate is a lovely route.

West Somerset Railway -- Minehead station is approximately 4 miles from Allerford. Heritage steam and diesel trains run along 20 miles of the longest heritage railway in England, through beautiful countryside to Bishops Lydeard near Taunton. A wonderful day out.

Porlock Village -- Approximately 2 miles from Allerford. An attractive village with independent shops, galleries, a pottery, and a good range of pubs and restaurants. Porlock also hosts regular markets and events throughout the year.

Red deer watching -- Exmoor is home to England's largest wild red deer herd. The woodland and moorland around Allerford is excellent deer country, and several local operators offer guided safari tours to spot deer, Exmoor ponies, and other wildlife.

Exmoor Dark Skies -- Exmoor was designated Europe's first International Dark Sky Reserve. The area around Allerford benefits from very low light pollution, making it an excellent location for stargazing, particularly on clear winter nights.

Walks from the Doorstep

Allerford to Selworthy -- A gentle half-mile walk through the Holnicote Estate to the beautiful National Trust village of Selworthy. Continue up to All Saints' Church for panoramic views across the vale. Allow around 30 to 45 minutes each way.

Selworthy Beacon -- From Allerford, walk via Selworthy and climb to the summit of Selworthy Beacon at 308 metres. The views from the top stretch across the Bristol Channel to Wales, along the Exmoor coast, and inland to Dunkery Beacon. A moderate circular walk of approximately 4 miles. Allow around 2 to 3 hours.

Allerford to Bossington -- A lovely walk through the estate to the coastal hamlet of Bossington, with its thatched cottages and dramatic shingle beach. The route passes through woodland and farmland with views to the sea. Approximately 2 miles each way.

Lynch Combe to Horner Woods -- From Allerford, walk through Lynch Combe and over the hill to Horner Woods, one of the finest ancient oak woodlands in Britain and a National Nature Reserve. The woods are home to red deer, pied flycatchers, and rare lichens. A circular walk of approximately 5 miles. Allow around 3 hours.

Selworthy to Bossington Coastal Walk -- A superb circular walk from Selworthy taking in Bossington Hill, the South West Coast Path above Hurlstone Point, and returning via Bossington village. Approximately 5 miles with some steep sections and outstanding coastal views.

Porlock to Culbone Church -- Approximately 3 miles from Allerford to the start. A beautiful woodland walk along the South West Coast Path through ancient sessile oak woods to Culbone Church, often described as the smallest complete parish church in England. The church sits in a hidden combe and is accessible only on foot.

Dunkery Beacon -- The highest point on Exmoor at 519 metres, approximately 7 miles from Allerford by road with several walking routes to the summit. Far-reaching views to Dartmoor, the Brecon Beacons, and across the Bristol Channel. A rewarding half-day walk.

Beaches

Bossington Beach -- Approximately 2 miles from Allerford. A dramatic shingle ridge with wonderful views across the Bristol Channel to the South Wales coast. Behind the beach, the Porlock Marsh salt flats are an important habitat for wading birds. A great walking beach rather than a bathing beach.

Porlock Bay -- Approximately 3 miles from Allerford. A sweeping arc of pebbles with the dramatic backdrop of Exmoor rising behind. The bay is backed by Porlock Marsh and offers wild, atmospheric coastal scenery.

Minehead -- Approximately 4 miles from Allerford. A wide expanse of sand at low tide, ideal for families. Also the starting point of the 630-mile South West Coast Path.

Dunster Beach -- Approximately 4 miles from Allerford. A quieter sand and shingle beach near the historic village of Dunster, with views along the coast.