Locanda On The Weir.
, Porlock Weir, Somerset.
Set in the heart of the Exmoor National Park, in front of the 15th century harbour at Porlock Weir, Locanda on the Weir is is a haven of impeccable informality in a country retreat by the sea. It's hard to do justice to this little hamlet where the boats rise and fall on the tide, the stony beaches stretch off in both directions and the little cottages look like they have always looked.
There is no restaurant in the normal sense, but guests won't go hungry. Breakfast offerings include overnight oats with raw cacao and toasted coconut, sautéed mushrooms with sour cream and chives and boiled eggs with truffled soldiers. There is a hiker's menu at lunchtime or guests can choose to combine the exceptional cheeseboard with a glass of wine at the bar. For a more conventional dinner, the Porlock Oyster Kitchen is right next door as is the Bottom Ship Inn. The Old Library Bistro is just a couple of miles away in Porlock.
Four of the five bedrooms enjoy views of the harbour, Porlock Bay, the beach or the meadows reaching back inland to Porlock itself. The hugely impressive (and huge!) Santa Maria Suite has the absolute best views, a four-poster bed, a sofa and chairs, and a 65 inch television over the fireplace. Other rooms are slightly more modest but nevertheless enjoy king-size or super king-size beds, tea and coffee trays, televisions, recently refurbished decor and en-suite bathrooms.
The Exmoor National Park boasts a large population of wild Red Deer and ponies, that freely roam the moorland and woodlands. The scenery of rocky headlands, ravines, waterfalls and towering cliffs has gained the Exmoor coast recognition as a heritage coast. Exmoor Park has been designated an International Dark Sky Reserve, the first place in Europe to achieve this prestigious award and only the second in the world. On a clear night, over 4000 stars are visible to the naked eye and many more from one of the telescopes provided by the hotel.