Porlock, village and civil parish in Somerset, England
Porlock is a small coastal village in Somerset, England, situated about a mile from Porlock Bay and surrounded by rolling green hills. The village features narrow streets lined with old stone cottages, a small green with benches, and modest shops selling local crafts and homemade goods.
Porlock traces its origins to Saxon times when it was known as Porteloca and appears in the Domesday Book as Portloc nearly one thousand years ago. The village suffered major attacks, including raids by Danish pirates in 918 and burning by King Harold's forces in 1052.
The name Porlock likely means 'enclosure by the harbour' in Old English, reflecting its ancient maritime roots. The village retains its traditional character through stone cottages, thatched roofs, and local craftspeople who shape everyday life here.
The village is small enough to explore on foot, but prepare for uneven paths and narrow lanes. Most shops close early in the evening, so plan your visit accordingly and check tide times beforehand if you wish to visit the beach.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was interrupted while working on his poem 'Kubla Khan' by someone from Porlock, which became the famous phrase 'person from Porlock'. The village also has the smallest church in England, the tiny Culbone Church dating from the 12th century, still used for services despite its remote location.
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