A weekend of poetry, fresh air and inspiring views taking place in and around the village of Porlock, Thursday 27th March-Sunday 30th March
Coleridge in Porlock – 27th-30th March
Join us for a weekend of poetry, fresh air and inspiring views at Coleridge in Porlock.
This new programme of walks and talks celebrates the life and work of the Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge and his connection to the area. The weekend is organised by Porlock Parish Council and local volunteers and held in association with The Friends of Coleridge.
Dive into the world of poetry and nature as we explore the landscape that influenced Coleridge’s work. He often visited the village and its surroundings when he lived in Nether Stowey on the Quantocks. It was in a farmhouse near Culbone that he wrote his famous poem ‘Kubla Khan’, which draws on topographical features of our coastline.
All the events are bookable separately, you are welcome to pick and mix what suits you most from the programme.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with the spirit of one of our greatest poets! Tickets available here.
PROGRAMME
Thursday 27th March – Welcome event
7-9pm Porlock Village Hall. Welcome to Porlock. Showing of a half-hour docudrama, ‘Splendour in the Grass’ about Coleridge and the Wordsworths’ time in Dorset and Somerset, narrated by a young John Sessions. (By kind permission of Nick Gilbey of Dashwood Productions).
Performance of three of Coleridge’s Somerset poems by Porlock actor Jen Warwick: ‘Kubla Khan’, ‘Frost at Midnight’ and ‘This Lime Tree Bower my Prison’. Light refreshments served. Tickets £10. Book in advance, or cash on the door if tickets are still available.
Friday 28th March – A walk and a talk
9.30am-1pm: Walk from Ash Farm via Culbone church along the coast path to Broomstreet Farm. Where did Coleridge write ‘Kubla Khan’? Decide for yourself on this walk from Ash Farm via Culbone church along the South West Coast path to Broomstreet Farm. (Option of a shorter walk taking in Ash Farm and Culbone for those who don’t want to do the whole four miles.) By kind permission of Tony and Jenny Richards of Ash Farm. Free event but booking essential.
7pm-9pm: Talk by writer and historian Diana Barsham on ‘Landscapes of fall: the dangers of walking in Coleridge Country from Samuel Taylor Coleridge to Margaret Drabble’. Held at Porlock Village Hall, Light refreshments served. Tickets £10. Book in advance or cash on the door if any tickets are still available.
Saturday 29th March – Study session, walk and evening meal
10am-12pm: Study session at Dovery Manor Museum. Gregory Leadbetter, Chair of The Friends of Coleridge and Professor of Poetry at Birmingham City University, on ‘The Enigma of “Kubla Khan”. Numbers are limited and booking essential. Donations to the Museum on the day (card payments accepted).
2pm-4.30pm: Walk from Porlock village to Porlock Weir via Porlock saltmarsh, a site of great interest to naturalists attracting migratory birds. Return by public bus or by walking back through the woods on the Coleridge Way footpath. Distance approx. two miles each way. Free event but booking essential.
7pm-11pm: Evening meal at The Ship Inn, Porlock. Evening meal at the historic Ship Inn, Porlock, where Robert Southey stayed. Pre-set menu, diners must pre-book, £23 for two courses, £29 for three courses.
Sunday 30th March – Talk and lunch
10am-12pm: Porlock Village Hall: Tim Fulford, Professor of English at De Montfort University, on ‘The Ancient Mariner, survivor’s guilt or PTSD’ Coffee and tea will be served. Tickets £10. Book in advance or cash on the door if any tickets are still available.
1pm-3pm: Lunch at the Lorna Doone Hotel, Porlock. Pre-set menu, diners must pre-book. £28 for two courses.