Exmoor’s new boardwalk opens at Porlock Marsh to aid access and wildlife

A new boardwalk has been unveiled at Porlock Marsh, Exmoor, designed to improve access for walkers and protect sensitive marshland habitat.

Flooding over the past five years had affected this section of the South West Coast Path, part of the King Charles III England Coast Path. The boardwalk now allows year-round access for both long-distance and short circular walks between Porlock Weir and Porlock.

Exmoor Ranger Charlotte Wray, who led the project, said: “We are really excited to see this boardwalk built. It has been a real team effort, from consulting with the landowner, drawing up the plans, securing funds, milling the timber from our own woodlands to final construction. Building the boardwalk has improved the surface of the coast path and allowed for the natural flow of water onto this special piece of marshland habitat.”

The structure was designed to blend with the surrounding landscape and was funded through donations from ‘The Best of Exmoor’ via CareMoor for Exmoor, alongside match funding from the South West Coast Path Association.

Lorna Sherriff, National Trail Officer at the South West Coast Path Association, said: “Helping to fund improvements like this on the South West Coast Path is at the heart of our charity. The boardwalk is fantastic and now makes this part of the Coast Path walkable all year round, whilst also protecting and enhancing the important marshland habitat.”

Charlotte Wray added: “We are really grateful for CareMoor donations like this, from individuals and businesses. They’re essential in making expensive projects like this happen. Those who love and enjoy Exmoor and contribute to our CareMoor for Exmoor campaigns are helping to support nature, heritage conservation, and access projects that can be enjoyed by everyone.”