Allerford is a very picturesque Somerset village, Nestling in the beautiful Vale of Porlock in the heart of Exmoor National Park, the village consisting of beautiful thatched cottages. The village is located in the very heart of  beautiful Exmoor, with all the places of interest that the moor has to offer within easy access.. Allerford is documented in the "Domesday Book" as “Alresford – forda Ralph de Limesy Mill”. It is also the home of one of the oldest, and beautiful sandstone bridges in the west country, and the name of this much photographed bridge is "The Packhorse Bridge", and as one gazes at this beautiful old river crossing it is easy to imagine in a by-gone era of horses, and pack mules all trundling over this delightful little bridge that crosses the river Aller. Allerford House is in the village it was the home of Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby, who's son Captain John Morseby, explored the coast of New Guinea, during this exploration he discovered the harbour that bears his fathers Christian name Fairfax. And the town that was established there later was named Port Moresby. Alleford is contained within the National Trust's Holnicote Estate, which takes in over 12,000 acres of the beautiful wild spectacular exmoor coast and also the wonderful countryside. The village is signposted off the A39 and only 3 miles west of the popular seaside resort of Minehead, also near-by is the historic village of Dunster with it's magnificent castle.

As one enters Allerford one will find a row of three thatched cottage, Brook Cottage, Farthings, and Hayes Hayes, was previously know as Mays.The Acland family gave the National Trust a 500 year lease on much of their exmoor estate. They all so did much to further adult education in the area, for they built 'The Reading Room,' here in Allerford to help their tenants and workers to attain a formal education. Sir Tomas Acland was the warden of Exmoor, who on his retirement took 30 exmoor ponies to found the Acland herd, today this herd who,s ancestors still run wild and free on Winsford Hill. is well known as the famous Anchor Herd, In Allerford there is a still an working smithy, shop, small charming park and toilets. Nearby is Piles Mill, a National Trust study center with the mill open to the public. The old village School was converted in to a museum in 1983. and display farming methods and implements from a century ago. Behind the school is Riverside Gardens a quiet tranquil place, that has a cobblers work place, plus a picnic area. Piles Mill, a National Trust property a half mile away, it houses a memorial to Sir Richard Thomas Dyke Acland, in the form of a millstone sundial, as well as various Museum artifacts. Visits can be organized by prior arrangement. There is one small shop well worth a visit for the purchase of souvenirs, or replica Victorian toys. And if one is hungry or thirsty then the old school kitchen is available for refreshments.

But Allerford's greatest attraction for me is it's location set in the stunning exmoor countryside, it is ideally placed for walkers, artists, photographers, and people like me who just loves both the natural beauty, and wildlife of exmoor. And although Allerford is fairly isolated, it is however within easy reach of the coast, with popular places such as Minehead, Dunster, Porlock, and Lynton and Lynmouth, plus the beautiful villages of Bossington, and Selworthy which are all in the vicinity.!

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