Minehead Somerset, Hidden within this resort of much gabled Victoriana and 20th-cent. Tudor and sands so broad at low tide that the sea seems to disappear, is an exquisite village. It is on the face of the hill at the town’s western end. A wide flight of tiled and cobbled steps leads up between red-stone or yellow-coloured cottages, which are mainly thatched with tall chimneys, to the big 14th- to 15th-cent. church. This contains much of interest, including an excellent screen (c. 1500), figured font (15th-cent.), early-l7th-cent. pulpit, good modern wrought-iron and brass lectern, and a beautiful illuminated missal (c. 1400) in a glass case.
The harbour area is also attractive: a row of former fishermen’s cottages facing Quay Street with among them the little St Peter’s Chapel which was originally a salt store.

In Market House Lane, near the town centre, are some 1630 almshouses. The statue of Queen Anne (c. 1719) in Wellington Square is the work of Francis Bird. St Andrew’s Church (late 19th-cent.) beside it was designed by G. E. Street. During the Middle Ages and till the late 18th cent., Minehead was an important port, both for fishing (herrings mainly) and trade (particularly with Wales and Ireland - wool, hides, cattle and coal especially). Great fires in 1791 and 1815, the disappearance of herrings from the area, and the silting up of its harbour brought slump. But early in the 19th cent. tourists began to arrive and in 1874 came the railway, it's self a major attraction now as the West Somerset Railway, with attractions and events all year.

The town has an excellent climate. On May Day it has a Hobby Horse Festival of rather less fame than PADSTOW’S.
The town of Minehead, overlooking the Bristol Channel, is an attractive modern holiday
resort with a mile -long seafront and a splendid curving stretch of sand. Its mild climate and beautiful surroundings make it a popular touring centre. Among its attractions, Minehead offers a model village, boat excursions and fishing trips. Offshore, there are remains of a prehistoric forest beneath the sea.

Beach

The beach is a wide expanse of gentle shelving coarse sand with patches of shingle. At low water the waters edge is some distance away, leaving plenty of room for beach games. There is a shallow pool near the high tide mark suitable for young children to paddle.


Local towns and villages to visit

Bridgewater
Cheddar
Dunster
Ilfracombe
Glastonbury
Minehead
Street
Taunton
Watchet
Wellington
Western-Super-Mare
Yeovil

Angling
Sea fishing at Lynmouth, Porlock Weir and Minehead. Freshwater fishing in Exmoor streams on the River Exe at Exford and Dulverton and on the Lyn at Lynmouth.

Cricket St.Thomas wild life park with over 600 animals a fun family day out. contact 01460 3011

Hornsbury Mill, Eleighwater, Chard
Somerset Tel: 0146063317

Highbridge
Alstone Wildlife Park small non-commercial attraction with friendly animals. 01278 782405

Coombes Cider & Apple Blossom Tea Rooms, Japonica Farm, The Causeway Mark, Highbridge, Somerset Tel: 01278641265

Secret World, New Road Farm East Huntspill, Highbridge, Somerset Tel: 01278783250

Ilminster
Perry Bros, Orchardland, Dowlish WakeSomerset , Tel: 0146052681

Aquasplash leisure Centre Swimming pool, waves and slide. Gym, Sauna, Steam Room, Jacuzzi. 01643 708000

Exmoor Falconry and Animal Farm. Near Alerford 01643 862816 W

Monksilver
Exmoor Adventures, Mark Stoddart
Combe Sydenham Country Park
Monksilver, Somerset. TA4 4JG 01984 624794

Sheppy's Cider Farm Centre
Wander through the orchards and share the art of cider making in the museum. Cider tasting is available in the shop. Open Monday to Saturday all year; Sundays Easter to October. 01823 320201

Willows & Wetlands Visitor Centre Meare Green Court, Stoke Street, Gregory, Taunton, Somerset
Tel: 01823490249 When you visit please mention westcountrylinks.

English Basket Centre, Curload, Stoke St. Gregory, Taunton. Tel: 01823698418

Watchet
Cleeve Abbey, Washford, Watchet
Somerset, Tel: 01984640377

English Heritage, Washford, Watchet
Somerset, Tel: 0198440377

Staplecombe Vineyard, Burlands Farm
Staplegrove, Taunton, Somerset
Tel: 01823451217

Camping & Caravanning Club, Moor Road
Minehead, Somerset TA24 5RY. Tel:01643704138

Splott Farm, Blackford, Wedmore, Somerset. BS28 4PD Cheddar 01278 641522

Somerset Holiday Parks Static Self Catering Caravan Holidays, Ideal for family self-catering holidays all year round, some allow pets, weekends, half term or just a short break !

Somerset Cottages

Cosy properties in delightful settings,

town or country.

0845 268 1255

Glendower House
Minehead, 30-32 Tregonwell Road, Minehead, TA24 5DU 01643 707 144

Northfield Hotel
Northfield Rd, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5PU 01643 705155

The Wellington Hotel
Wellington Sq, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5NH 01643 704371

Gascony Hotel
50 The Avenue, Minehead, TA24 5BB 01643 705 939

Sunfield Hotel
83 Summerland Av, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5BW 01643 703565

Luttrell Arms Hotel
30 High St, Dunster, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 6SG 01643 821555