Porlock Hill

Porlock Hill is a road west of Porlock, Somerset. It is part of the A39, connecting Porlock to Lynmouth and Barnstaple in Devon and is the steepest A-road in the United Kingdom, approaching 1 in 4 (25%) in places. A parallel toll road is available which travels the same route at an easier gradient.

Porlock Hill
The start of Porlock Hill, where the parallel toll road branches off to the east
Highest point
Elevation347.8 m (1,141 ft) [1]
ListingMarilyn
Coordinates51.206873°N 3.605371°W / 51.206873; -3.605371 
Geography
Porlock Hill
Exmoor, England
OS gridSS86384603
Topo mapOS Landranger 9

Route

The route climbs west of Porlock to the north fringes of Exmoor. It climbs 725 feet (221 m) in just under 1 mile (1.6 km),[2] the steepest gradient on any A-road in the UK.[3] At one point, there is a warning sign advising motorists of a gradient of 1 in 4 (25%).[4]

The road is part of the A39, a long-distance road across the north coast of Somerset and Cornwall, though it is not a main through route here.[5] Porlock Hill is not recommended for caravans or HGVs, who are strongly advised to seek another route. Cyclists are advised to dismount. The road has two escape lanes along its descent, to handle runaway vehicles.[2]

Owing to its gradient, numerous accidents have occurred on Porlock Hill. The village's local museum has an archive of photographs documenting various incidents along it.[2]

In Porlock itself, burning brakes can often be smelled from vehicles that have just descended the hill.[6]

History
A typical accident on Porlock Hill, showing an HGV collided with a tree after being unable to brake and forced to use the escape lane

There was no practical transport west of Porlock in the 18th century. In 1794, the poet Robert Southey wrote that such a route was considered "the end of the world". In 1812, the local community was fined for not maintaining a good road, and builders were employed to construct a suitable route. The road opened in 1843 when a stagecoach travelled from Lynton to Porlock successfully.[4]

Shortly after the road opened, a local landowner, Mr Blathwayt, decided to build a toll road further west at a more relaxed gradient of 1 in 14 (7%).[4] The toll road was not successful initially as horse-pulled traffic could cope with Porlock Hill, but became popular owing to the increased popularity of the motor car.[7]

In 1899, a ten-ton lifeboat was launched from a storm in Lynmouth, but could not be put out to sea due to bad weather. Instead, it was hauled east by land, down Porlock Hill to the weir at Porlock, where it could be launched safely.[8]

In 1900, a rally driver became the first person to drive a motor car up Porlock Hill, winning a £50 bet in the process. The first motor coach managed to climb the hill successfully in 1916.[4]

Events

Porlock Hill is popular with cyclists. In 2015, over a hundred racers competed for a £3,100 prize to cycle up the hill along the toll road, followed by a series of children's races and a general fun ride.[9] It is listed as one of the 100 greatest cycling climbs in the UK.[10]

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See also
  • Dunkery Beacon, a nearby hill that is the highest point in Exmoor and Somerset
  • Gold Hill, Shaftesbury - another famous hill in the South West

References

Citations

  1. "Porlock Hill, West Somerset - area information, map, walks and more". OS GetOutside. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  2. Gardner 2011, p. 68.
  3. "The Improbable A39". CBRD. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  4. Bradt 2015, p. 159.
  5. Corfield 2010, p. 45.
  6. "Porlock and Around". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  7. "Porlock Toll Road". Welcome to Porlock. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  8. Leete-Hodge, Lornie (1985). Curiosities of Somerset. Bodmin: Bossiney Books. p. 45. ISBN 0-906456-98-3.
  9. "Top cyclists set for Porlock Hill Climb this weekend". Somerset County Gazette. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  10. Warren, Simon. (2010). "4". 100 greatest cycling climbs : a road cyclist's guide to Britain's hills. London: Frances Lincoln. p. 21. ISBN 9780711231207. OCLC 520736498.

Sources

  • Bradt, Hilary (2015). North Devon & Exmoor (Slow travel). Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 978-1-841-62865-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Corfield, David (2010). Roads with a View: England's Greatest Views and How to Find Them by Road. Veloce Publishing. ISBN 978-1-845-84350-2.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Gardner, Nicky (2011). Bus-Pass Britain. Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 978-1-841-62376-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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