These spectacular gardens are located on the north coast of Somerset, in the South West of England. They are perched on a terrace, carved from the steep and heavily wooded slopes of Exmoor, and curve around the spur of a hill side that forms the western end of Porlock Bay. At 300 feet above sea level, they enjoy extensive views to the east across the bay and face the rising sun and to the north, to the Welsh coastline 12 miles across the Bristol Channel and the Brecon Beacon mountains beyond.

	Ashley Combe, with gardens hidden halfway up the slope in the woods above the cliff and beach on the right.
	Porlock Weir harbour, half a mile distant.

Ashley Combe, some 2 miles outside of the village of Porlock, sits above the small harbour of Porlock Weir and about 1 mile east of the hamlet of Culbone, famous for having the smallest parish church in England.  Road access is via the A39 from Bridgewater (M5 link) some 25 miles distant, to Porlock, taking the spur road to Porlock Weir then the smaller, private toll road to Ashley Combe.

	Plan of Ashley Combe, showing gardens, paths and woods.
	The house and terrace from the north.

Ashley Combe Estate and the National Park:
Under a research framework document  for Exmoor covering the period 2004-2009 (part 2, a framework for future research), the importance of Exmoor’s designed landscapes and estates is noted and such estates have been identified as a regional priority in the ‘South West Environmental Prospectus’. Under a list of priorities for research and of the 25 estates noted for Exmoor, Ashley Combe appears at the top.

One of the many tracks and paths in the beautiful woods above Ashley Combe.

“Porlock, thy verdant vale so fair to sight,
Thy lofty hills, which fern and furze embrown,
Thy waters, that roll musically down
Thy woody glens, the traveller with delight
Recalls to memory.”    Southey.