Photos are automatically tagged by geographic coordinate proximity and/or are submitted by website visitors, and may not necessarily be specifically of Minehead.
Minehead is a coastal town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It lies on the south bank of the Bristol Channel, 21 miles (34 km) north-west of the county town of Taunton, 12 miles (19 km) from the border with the county of Devon and in proximity of the Exmoor National Park. The parish of Minehead has a population of approximately 11,981 making it the most populous town in the West Somerset local government district. This figure includes Alcombe, a suburban village which has been subsumed into Minehead.
There is evidence of human occupation in the area since the Bronze and Iron Ages. Before the Norman Conquest it was held by Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia and after it by William de Moyon and his descendants, who administered the area from Dunster Castle, which was later sold to Sir George Luttrell and his family. There was a small port at Minehead by 1380, which grew into a major trading centre during the medieval period. Most trade transferred to larger ports during the 20th century, but pleasure steamers did call at the port. Major rebuilding took place in the Lower or Middle town area following a fire in 1791 and the fortunes of the town revived with the growth in sea bathing, and by 1851 was becoming a retirement centre. There was a marked increase in building during the early years of the 20th century, which resulted in the wide main shopping avenue and adjacent roads with Edwardian style architecture. The town's flood defences were improved after a storm in 1990 caused flooding.
Minehead is governed by a town council, which was created in 1983 and has been part of the West Somerset local government district since 1974. In addition to the parish church of St. Michael on the Hill in Minehead, the separate parish church of St Michael the Archangel is situated in Church Street, Alcombe. Alcombe is also home to the Spiritualist Church in Grove Place. Since 1991, Minehead has been twinned with Saint-Berthevin, a small town close to the regional centre of Laval in the Mayenne département of France. Blenheim Gardens, which is Minehead’s largest park, was opened in 1925. The town is also the home of a Butlins Holiday Park which increases Minehead's seasonal tourist population by several thousand.
There are a variety of schools and religious, cultural and sporting facilities including sailing and wind surfing and golf. One popular ancient local tradition involves the Hobby Horse, or Obby Oss, which takes to the streets for four days on the eve of the first of May each year, with accompanying musicians and rival horses. The town is the starting point of the South West Coast Path National Trail, the nation's longest long-distance countryside walking trail. The Minehead Railway was opened in 1874 and closed in 1971 but has since been reopened as the West Somerset Railway.
Local authority: Somerset County Council
OS Grid Reference: SS971459
Dunster
National Park Centre
Dunster Steep
Somerset
England
TA24 6SE
Phone 01643 821 835
Email NPCDunster@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
Photos are automatically tagged by geographic coordinate proximity and/or are submitted by website visitors, and may not necessarily be specifically of Minehead.
Forecast for Saturday 23 February
06:00
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| Chance of rain | 0% |
| Max temp. | 5°C |
| (feels like | 2°C) |
| Wind 2mph, gusting to 6mph. |  S |
| Pressure | 1031 |
| Humidity | 91% |
| UV Index | n/a |
| Air Quality |  |
09:00
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| Chance of rain | 0% |
| Max temp. | 10°C |
| (feels like | 10°C) |
| Wind 1mph, gusting to 6mph. |  SSE |
| Pressure | 1032 |
| Humidity | 79% |
| UV Index |  |
| Air Quality | |
12:00
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| Chance of rain | 5% |
| Max temp. | 14°C |
| (feels like | 12°C) |
| Wind 3mph, gusting to 7mph. | S |
| Pressure | 1031 |
| Humidity | 70% |
| UV Index |  |
| Air Quality | |
15:00
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|
| Chance of rain | 5% |
| Max temp. | 14°C |
| (feels like | 13°C) |
| Wind 2mph, gusting to 4mph. |  SW |
| Pressure | 1031 |
| Humidity | 71% |
| UV Index | |
| Air Quality | |
18:00
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| Chance of rain | 4% |
| Max temp. | 11°C |
| (feels like | 10°C) |
| Wind 2mph, gusting to 2mph. | S |
| Pressure | 1033 |
| Humidity | 85% |
| UV Index | n/a |
| Air Quality | |
21:00
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| Chance of rain | 0% |
| Max temp. | 10°C |
| (feels like | 9°C) |
| Wind 2mph, gusting to 2mph. | S |
| Pressure | 1033 |
| Humidity | 86% |
| UV Index | n/a |
| Air Quality | |
Minehead - Terminus (Beaches) 0.3m NE
Minehead - The Strand (Beaches) 0.5m E
Dunster North West (Beaches) 1.7m E
Dunster South East (Beaches) 1.7m E
Blue Anchor Bay (Bays and Coves) 3.3m E
Blue Anchor West (Beaches) 3.6m SE
Hurtstone Point (Cliffs and Headlands) 4.8m W
Porlock Anchorage (Bays and Coves) 6.5m W
Porlock Bay (Bays and Coves) 6.5m W
Watchet (Beaches) 6.7m E
Glendower House
Situated in Minehead, Glendower House is just 10 minutes' walk from the town centre, the seafront, and the old harbour. With free parking, this Edwardian terraced house is ideally located for exploring Exmoor National Park. Details...
Tregonwell House - Guest House
Located in Minehead, just 1 mile from the Exmoor National Park, the Tregonwell House - Guest House fetaures free WiFi, off-street parking and bed and breakfast accommodation. Details...
Stones Hotel Bar and Restaurant
A 4-minute walk from the West Somerset Coastal Path, Stones Hotel Bar and Restaurant provides stylish rooms and a wide-ranging food menu. With free parking and WiFi, this hotel is just 7 minutes’ drive from Dunster Castle. Details...
Gascony Hotel
Nestled in the coastal town of Minehead, Somerset, Gascony Hotel offers free WiFi access, a restaurant and free parking. The hotel is a 2-minute walk from the esplanade, with views out to the Bristol Channel. Details...
The Beach Hotel
The Beach Hotel offers incredible views across the Bristol Channel and the West Somerset Railway. Situated in Minehead, this luxurious hotel is on the outskirts of Exmoor National Park. Details...
Beachside Suites
Located on the coast of Minehead, Beachside Suites offers en-suite accommodation with free WiFi access throughout and on-site private parking facilities free of charge. Details...
Westwood
This three-storey house set in a quiet residential area is just a short stroll from the seafront in the pretty resort town of Minehead. This light, airy semi-detached property has been furnished and equipped to a very high standardand features six bedrooms - two with en-suite facilities ? a spacious living room and a dining room with gas fire. Details...
Northleigh
Northleigh is a semi-detached cottage in Minehead. The cottage has a double room on the first floor, a second floor 4ft double and a second floor twin with football table. Details...
Pennycott
Pennycott is a quaint, old cottage, dating back to the mid-19th century and is located in a quiet residential street in the popular seaside town of Minehead in North Somerset and can sleep eight people. Details...
Little Dragons
Little Dragons is a mid terraced cottage in the Somerset village of Dunster near to Minehead. The cottage sleeps four people and has two double bedrooms. Details...
The Rest
The Rest is a welcoming cottage, attached to the owner's pub in Blue Anchor, west Somerset. Upside down accommodation with one ground floor double bedroom. Details...
Rose Cottage
Rose Cottage is a delightfully-present, detached cottage set yards from Blue Anchor's beach, with wonderful sea views, close to Watchet in Somerset. Details...