St Buenos Church - The walk from Porlock Weir

After a strenuous 3 mile muddy walk we finally catch a glimpse of the remote St Buenos Church in the valley of Culbone. As we get closer, we enter a magical valley, full of the sounds of rushing streams, swollen with all the recent rains, tumbling down the steep sides of the valley, eager to get to the sea.

The church itself is ancient, with origins of almost one thousand years old and only large enough for thirty worshippers. In the past, it was a refuge for lepers and criminals, forced out by their home villages. The valley was a sanctuary where outcasts survived off the land and formed a small community.

After some time exploring the church and the cemetery, we sat for a while, eating our lunch, soaking up the atmosphere and talking to a very friendly Robin. Then off again, back along the same coast path, through the same mud , stopping to look at little fishing boats out at sea.

We finally reach Porlock Weir, weary and with extremely muddy boots, but The Ship Inn pub is very welcoming with an open fire and a very tasty local stout on tap.

It is a lovely end to a perfect day!

published by Julie