Galleries, Shops & Museums
Porlock Weir is the ideal place to browse around the small but varied shops and galleries, offering everything from local pottery to hand-blown Exmoor glass. Parking for the harbour, shops and galleries is extremely convenient at the spacious car park in the centre of the village.
Porlock Weir Boatshed Museum
The Boat Shed Museum is a small, family friendly museum located right behind the harbour. It is run by volunteer Derek Purvis, a local fisherman, historian and photographer. He has a wealth of knowledge, information and historic artefacts relating to this ancient port, seafaring life and boats more broadly. It is worth popping in on your way through the village.
Open only during the summer months, from 9.30am to 5pm.
Exmoor Glass
Described by visitors as an Aladdin’s cave, Exmoor Glass is a great place to have a browse whilst sauntering around the Weir. It sells a range of glass objects d’art, vases, glasses, jewellery, wind chimes and children’s toys – something for everyone. If you are lucky you may even get the chance to see its master glass blower, James Adlington, in action in his glass workshop.
Harbour Gallery
The popular Harbour Gallery and Cafe, overlooking the harbour, showcases work from local artists and craftspeople inspired by the beautiful West Country landscape. A variety of art is on display from paintings and ceramics, to jewellery and crafts. Exhibitors rotate every 10 weeks to ensure there is always new talent on display. Whilst visiting the Gallery take time out to enjoy a drink and homemade snack in its own Cafe overlooking the Harbour. Opening hours are 10am to 4pm during the week, and 10am to 5pm at the weekends.
Kay Waite Ceramics
Situated right next to the Harbour Gallery and Cafe, this small ceramics studio is worth popping your head into. Most of the studio concentrates on using porcelain and fine bone china. Kay makes very pretty, delicate bowls often inspired by sunsets and Exmoor scenes, and decorative pieces designed to be enhanced by candle, artificial or natural light. In the Summer it is open most afternoons, and in quieter seasons, just at the weekends. She lives only a short distance away so is happy to come and open up the studio for interested people.
