A NEW walking weekend event is being planned for next year to take people on a trail which would have been used by pilgrims to visit a number of isolated Exmoor churches.

‘Walk Exmoor - Porlock Pilgrim’s Trail’ will be held over Friday to Sunday, March 27 to 29, 2026.

It will offer a number of routes suitable for walkers of all abilities, from long distance enthusiasts to families and day visitors.

The routes follow paths which have been walked and ridden by clergy and parishioners for hundreds of years to reach nine remote churches and chapels scattered across the Exmoor countryside.

The path from Stoke Pero to Luccombe is actually called Priest's Way.

The weekend is being promoted by Porlock Parish Council, Porlock Pilgrim’s Trail, and the Exmoor National Park partnership fund as part of efforts to boost the number of people visiting the area.

St Beuno’s Church, Culbone, is one of nine on the Porlock Pilgrim's Trail. PHOTO: Sebastian Gibbs.
St Beuno’s Church, Culbone, is one of nine on the Porlock Pilgrim's Trail. PHOTO: Sebastian Gibbs. ( )

A spokesperson said: “It is an ideal opportunity to experience early spring in a wild and untouched landscape.

“On this trail you will walk among Exmoor’s stunning scenery and stand in some beautiful old buildings.

“You may listen to a lark’s song rising or watch a herd of red deer as they disappear into woodland, events that enrich one’s journey.​​

“Walkers all receive a trail guidebook which they can stamp at each of the historic churches and chapels as a memento of their adventure.”

Among the chapels on the trail is St Beuno’s, in Culbone, which is thought to be the smallest parish church in England.

Others are Oare, Tivington, Selworthy, Lynch Chapel, in West Lynch, St Dubricius, in Porlock, and Porlock Weir Tabernacle, each offering historical anecdotes for visitors.

The £15 cost of the weekend will include a complimentary copy of the Porlock Pilgrim’s Trail guidebook.

The trail was launched in 2022 as a not-for-profit initiative with any money made from the sale of guidebooks and digital versions shared across the Porlock benefice.

Three levels of walk are available:

  • The 29-mile complete circuit, which is said to be ‘challenging’
  • Two 15-mile half-circuits, east and west, described as ‘robust’
  • An eight-mile circular walk to Porlock Weir and Culbone Churches, considered ‘moderate’
  • Seven miles of a circular walk to Lynch Chapel of Ease and Selworthy Church, also ‘moderate’

The spokesperson said: “Porlock Pilgrim’s Trail began as means to raise interest, knowledge, and money for the scattered churches across the benefice of Porlock and Exmoor at large.

“There are many beautiful but rarely visited, and hence poorly funded, churches in the area.

“Walkers have all weekend to enjoy the trail, the village of Porlock, and Exmoor.

“Which route to take, how far, and how fast to walk, is entirely up to the walker.

“Numbers are limited.

“Booking will be essential and opens in September.”

Anybody who wants to register their interest and keep up to date on events during the weekend, such as ‘hearty pub meals and musical entertainment’, can do so via the Porlock Pilgrim’s Trail website or by emailing to [email protected].