Allerford is a picturesque hamlet on the Holnicote Estate in the heart of Exmoor National Park, famous for its beautiful medieval packhorse bridge over the River Aller.
Nestled between Porlock and Minehead on the northern edge of the moor, this tiny settlement of stone cottages and farmsteads sits within one of the finest landscapes in Somerset. The entire hamlet is part of the Holnicote Estate, which has been owned and managed by the National Trust since 1944, preserving its unspoilt character and surrounding woodland, farmland, and open moorland.
Allerford's packhorse bridge is one of the finest in Somerset, a beautiful twin-arched medieval structure that has been a crossing point for centuries. Beside the bridge stands the former village school, now home to the Allerford Museum, a charming local history collection covering rural life on Exmoor. The hamlet is very small and quiet, with no shop, pub, or other commercial premises -- its appeal lies in its peacefulness and the beauty of its setting.
The National Trust showpiece village of Selworthy is just half a mile away, with its famous thatched cottages, medieval church, and wonderful views across the vale to Dunkery Beacon. Porlock, approximately 2 miles west, is a thriving village with a good range of shops, pubs, restaurants, galleries, and a pharmacy. Minehead, approximately 4 miles east, is the nearest town and has supermarkets, banks, and all essential services. For larger shopping, Taunton is approximately 30 miles away.
