Minehead is a coastal town in Somerset, England.
Understand
Get in
By car
By motorway, either Junction 24 or 25 of the M5, and follow signposts for Minehead/Exmoor.
By train or bus
Take the train to Taunton station, and the First 28 bus to Butlins (Minehead).
Get around
You can generally walk from one side of Minehead to the other in around 30 minutes, but like many small towns, has a selection of local buses that run throughout the day, within the town and to the nearest large towns with motorway/train links, Taunton and Bridgwater.
It is important to plan ahead, as public transport is not as strong as it is elsewhere, but Minehead is generally well-served by local taxis, however does not have a train station - other than the steam railway which runs as far as nearby town Bishops Lydeard. Scenic Exmoor Coster tour buses run to nearby Lynton and Lynmouth.
See
- Minehead Station, 51.2061°, -3.4668°. Terminus of the West Somerset Railway. 2018-01-30
- Cleeve Abbey, Abbey Road, Washford, Watchet, TA23 0PS (6 miles south east of Minehead), 51.155034°, -3.362899°, +44 1984 640377. adults £4.40, children £2.60, concessions £4.00
- Dunster Castle, Dunster, near Minehead, TA24 6SL (3 miles south east of Minehead), 51.181099°, -3.44279°, +44 1643 821314, dunstercastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.
- Dunster Working Watermill, Mill Lane, Dunster, near Minehead, TA24 6SW (3 miles south east of Minehead), 51.180902°, -3.446811°, +44 1643 821759, dunstercastle@nationaltrust.org.uk.
Do
There is a large sandy beach opposite Butlins at one end of the seafront, and this becomes more pebbles than sand towards the harbour. The beach becomes rather busy in warm weather and the summer season - but still nethertheless a good beach holiday. There are video game arcades that are more focused on gambling and winning toys than traditional "high score" based games from the 1980s. Walking around its extensive gardens is also good exercise for people who just want to walk. Minehead is in the heart of Exmoor and all it has to offer, with the surrounding hills and moors being a favourite for walking and cycling. Some activities include;
- Channel Adventure, The Adventure Centre, Warren Rd, TA24 5BG, UK, 51.206909°, -3.467123°. A business offering kayak rental and other watersports activities on the seafront. 2018-01-14
- Minehead EYE, 1 Mart Rd, TA24 5BJ, 51.205578°, -3.468315°, +44 1643 703155. W-Su: 10AM-6PM, M-Tu: Closed. A community activity centre and skatepark. 2018-01-14
- Minehead and West Somerset Golf Club, Warren Rd, TA24 5SJ, 51.208077°, -3.455541°, +44 1643 702057. 2018-01-14
- The starting point of the walk along the South West Coast Path, Quay Street. This monument (halfway between the town centre and the harbour), 51.21103°, -3.473689°. is where walkers in hiking gear gather to take a picture before setting off for their adventure. 2022-04-15
Buy
The railway terminus has plenty of railway memorabilia for sale. For children, there is plenty of Thomas the Tank Engine merchandise and other children's railway playsets.
Eat
As a traditional seaside town, there are plenty of fish and chips type places to eat from.
- Alcombe Fish Bar, Brook St, TA24 6BP, 51.196051°, -3.465039°, +44 1643 703220. Su-M: Closed, Tu-Sa: 11:30AM-1:45PM, 5PM-9PM. 2018-01-14
- Bampton Street Fish Bar, 7B Bampton St, Minehead TA24 5TR, 51.204688°, -3.479904°, +44 1643 702968. M: 5PM-8PM, Tu-Sa: 11:45AM-1:45PM, Su: Closed. 2018-01-14
- Dean's Fish, 35 The Avenue, TA24 5AY, 51.206804°, -3.473231°, +44 1643 708353. 2018-01-14
Drink
- The Hairy Dog, 32 The Avenue, TA24 5AZ, 51.20634°, -3.47407°, +44 1643 706317. 2022-04-15
- Duke of Wellington is a JD Wetherspoon with rooms, see Sleep.
Sleep
- Lots of B&Bs along Tregonwell Road.
- Duke of Wellington, Wellington Square, TA24 5NH, 51.205152°, -3.479273°, +44 1643 701910. From £39 per night 2018-01-14
- Butlins Minehead, Warren Rd, TA24 5SH, 51.2061°, -3.45917°, +44 330 100 6648. holiday park
- Premier Inn, Seaward Way, TA24 6DF, 51.20029°, -3.462026°, +44 871 622 2313. chain hotel 2018-01-14
- Dunkery Beacon Country House, Wootton Courtney TA24 8RH, 51.180°, -3.524°, +44 1643 841241. Upscale small hotel in an Edwardian hunting lodge, great dining. Open mid-Feb - Dec, no children under 10. B&B double £130 2020-06-04
- The Oaks, Porlock TA24 8ES (on A39), 51.210°, -3.592°, +44 1643 862265. Small hotel in Edwardian mansion at the edge of Porlock village. Open Apr-Oct, no children under 8 or dogs. Half board double £280 2020-06-11
- Luttrell Arms Hotel, 32 High St, Dunster TA24 6SG, 51.185°, -3.444°, +44 1643 821555. Charming atmospheric hotel in village centre, great dining. B&B double £130 2020-06-30