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Places to stay in Minehead
Minehead is a quintessential English seaside resort on the beautiful Somerset coast whose mild climate has been a magnet for visitors since Victorian times. At the end of Quay Street, Minehead's snug little harbour is surrounded with cottages from the 17th-century, but Minehead's history reaches beyond these quaint thatched buildings, to the time when it was a Saxon settlement. In the 17th-century, the harbour was a busy place, ships left for such far-away places as Portugal, Africa, and North America. Trade ebbed as the level of the sea began to drop - but the harbour was extended to offer what was once described as the safest harbour on the Bristol Channel. A 15th-century church dominates the old town which clambers the side of a hill. Its lantern tower has guided mariners safely home for hundreds of years. These days Minehead attracts holiday makers from many parts of the country. It has a sea-front over a mile long where when the tide recedes visitors can enjoy a firm sandy beach with a few pebbles. At the harbour end of the town there are pleasant places to tarry so that you can peacefully watch the endless stream of colourful fishing boats, and pleasure craft sailing in and out of the harbour. The front is backed by flower decked walks along a wide promenade, and there are beautiful gardens in to relax or enjoy a quiet evening stroll. Minehead has won both national and international awards for its stunning floral displays. As well as being a superb destination for the enjoyment of a family holiday, Minehead makes an excellent centre for those wishing to discover the charm and beauty of the Exmoor National Park. The resort offers the most modern leisure facilities both indoor and out, has excellent shopping facilities, and offers a good choice of accommodation ranging from holiday camp's to hotels, and pleasant caravan touring parks. Minehead offers a host of seaside attractions, it is the terminus for The West Somerset Steam Railway, there is a miniature railway, regular fishing trips, boat trips, golf, and in the countryside away from the town there are horses for hire. This is a lovely place, which despite expanding with the coming of the railways in the 19th-century, still manages to retain the charm and "feel" of the small fishing village it once was.
