Porlock Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Porlock Hill |
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The start of Porlock Hill, where the parallel toll road branches off to the east
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 347.8 m (1,141 ft) |
| Listing | Marilyn |
| Geography | |
 Porlock Hill
Location in Exmoor
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| OS grid | SS86384603 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 9 |
Porlock Hill is a famous road in Somerset, England. It's located west of the village of Porlock. This road is part of the A39, which connects Porlock to towns like Lynmouth and Barnstaple in Devon. Porlock Hill is known for being the steepest A-road in the United Kingdom! In some parts, it's as steep as a 1 in 4 (25%) gradient. There is also a special toll road next to it, which goes the same way but is much less steep.
What Makes Porlock Hill So Steep?
This road climbs up the northern edge of Exmoor. It goes up about 725 feet in just under 1 mile. This makes it the steepest main road in the whole UK! You'll even see warning signs telling drivers about the very steep 1 in 4 (25%) slope.
The A39 road is a long route that goes along the north coast of Somerset and Cornwall. However, Porlock Hill itself is not usually a main road for long journeys. Because it's so steep, it's not a good idea for large vehicles like caravans or big trucks to use this road. They are strongly advised to find a different way. Cyclists are also told to get off their bikes and walk them down. The road even has special escape lanes. These are for vehicles that might lose control while going down the hill.
Many accidents have happened on Porlock Hill because it's so steep. The local museum in Porlock has old photos that show different incidents that have happened there. Sometimes, people in Porlock can even smell burning brakes from cars that have just driven down the hill!
A Look Back: History of Porlock Hill
A long time ago, in the 1700s, it was very hard to travel west from Porlock. The poet Robert Southey even wrote in 1794 that this route felt like "the end of the world." In 1812, the local people were told they had to build a better road. So, builders were hired to create a proper route. The road finally opened in 1843. A stagecoach successfully traveled from Lynton to Porlock on the new road.
Soon after the main road opened, a local landowner named Mr. Blathwayt decided to build a toll road. This new road was further west and had a much gentler slope, about 1 in 14 (7%). At first, the toll road wasn't very popular because horses could handle the main Porlock Hill. But as cars became more common, the toll road became very useful.
In 1899, a ten-ton lifeboat needed to be launched during a storm in Lynmouth. But the weather was too bad to launch it from there. So, the lifeboat was pulled by land all the way east, down Porlock Hill, to a safe spot at the weir in Porlock. From there, it could be launched safely into the sea.
In 1900, a rally driver became the first person to drive a car up Porlock Hill. He won a £50 bet for doing it! Later, in 1916, the first motor coach successfully climbed the hill.
Events and Challenges on the Hill
Porlock Hill is a very popular spot for cyclists who love a challenge. In 2015, more than a hundred racers competed to cycle up the hill along the toll road. They were racing for a prize of £3,100! There were also children's races and a fun ride for everyone. Porlock Hill is even listed as one of the 100 greatest cycling climbs in the UK.
