Welcome to Minehead - information about b & b, guest house and hotel accommodation in Minehead.

Change text size

Local information

Minehead has much to offer as a holiday destination in its own right, or a perfect base for exploring Exmoor coast & countryside, the Quantocks or the Brendon Hills. This page provides local information for our visitors!

Directory guide list of B&B, bed and breakfasts, guest hiuses and hotel accommodation in Minehead, greater Exmoor - Blenheim Gardens Minehead is proud of its parks and gardens especially Blenheim Gardens. These provide a floral setting for Sunday band concerts as well as a wider range of fine music on Saturday afternoons during the summer. The town has been very successful in the national Britain in Bloom competitions winning the 'Best Small Town trophy in '95 and '97 and becoming international winners in 2000. You can see some of the 2004 floral displays on these Web pages.

The town centre shopping area is well worth discovering with many speciality shops in addition to high street "names". Prices are very competitive in Minehead and the town is a good place to look for gifts and bygones. The tree lined Avenue leads from the town centre to the seafront and Minehead's large sandy beach.

The seafront is very attractively lit in the evenings complemented by the lights of North Hill rising above it. Quay Street leads to the picturesque harbour (left) where the old stone pier is the landing stage for Bristol Channel cruise ships "Waverley and "Balmoral" as well as private boats and fishing trips. The seafront railway station is the headquarters of the very successful West Somerset Railway which keeps alive the spirit of the old Great Western Railway. Steam trains run along the coast and past the Quantock Hilts to Bishops Lydeard - a distance of 20 miles. Charter trains run through from the National network. Many special events (dining trains, murder mystery trains, Santa Specials) are organised and there are three steam festivals each year. In 1999 the railway celebrated the 125th anniversary of the extension of the line to Minehead.

Minehead has a wide range of cultural, entertainment and sports facilities. The Regal Theatre in the town centre offers a full annual programme presented by local and touring drama companies with concerts and occasional films. An exciting range of entertainment is open to visitors at the Butlins Family Entertainment Resort. The thrilling Fun fair has dodgems a Carousel and other rides. The Skyline Pavilion is a striking landmark on the seafront. Aquasplash is Minehead's modern indoor leisure pool, spa and fitness centre and is open throughout the year. Fun facilities include a wave machine, slide and bubbles.

Sports fans will enjoy the Sports and Leisure Centre at the West Somerset Community College. The complex has facilities for badminton, squash, tennis (4 floodlit courts), a fitness studio and a range of indoor and outdoor sports. A special programme for children is available in the summer holidays. Spectators can watch football, rugby, hockey and cricket at various venues.

Minehead is situated right on the Exmoor National Park boundary and has a wide choice of excellent walks starting in the town and leading out into the beautiful Exmoor countryside. The best known is the South West Coast Path which starts on the seafront (starting from the bronze "map and hands" also pictured in these pages ) and follows the coast to Lands end End and on to Poole Harbour in Dorset. And if you want to explore some of North Devon while you are here, then the Devon border is only 12 miles west of Minehead, along the coast road.

Minehead Vital Statistics!

Population - 10,500
Market Days - Tues/Thurs in Summer
Famous People - Sir Arthur C Clarke born in Blenheim Road 1917, Status Quo pop group formed at Butlins 1965
Made in Minehead - bagpipes, leather goods, tea/coffee blending
Twinned with - St Berthevin, Mayenne, France

Minehead Tourist Information Centre

17 Friday Street, Minehead TA24 SUB. Tel: 0845 3452465 - Fax: 01643 707166. The office is open all year including Summer Sundays. The friendly staff will be pleased to assist you with any aspect of your holiday in Minehead.
Accommodation bookings can be made for personal callers at the office. A wide selection of free leaflets, saleable maps and guides is available at the office or by mail order. Tickets sold for sea cruises, concerts, National Express coaches,etc.

Trains & Buses from Minehead

Public transport timetables are published twice a year in May and October giving a full range of journeys from Minehead. During the Summer additional services are operated including the circular Exmoor buses. Contact Minehead Tourist Information Centre for a copy of the current timetable.

Sports & Leisure Guide

Swimming Pool	Aquasplash, Seaward Way
Golf Course	Warren Road
Tennis	Irnham Road
Bowls	Minehead Bowling Club, Irnham Road
Football	Minehead AFC, Irnham Road
Rugby	Minehead Barbarians RFC, Ellicombe
Cycle Hire	Pompey's, Mart Road
Horse Riding	List from the Tourist information Centre
Outdoor activities	Web: www.activeoutdoors.org

WEST SOMERSET SPORTS & LEISURE CENTRE at The West Somerset Community College, Bircham Road, Alcombe - Table Tennis, Racketball, Squash, Aerobics, Cricket Nets, Outdoor Pitches, Badminton, Short Mat Bowls, Fitness Suite -
Creche & Playscheme - details Tel: 01643 708815

Entertainment

Theatre	The Regal, The Avenue
Cinema	ABC Cinema, Butlins East Entrance
Night-Clubs	B'z, Holloway Street - Dukes, Wellington Square, Madisons, The Avenue
For Children	Indoor Adventure Play, K's, Seafront
Live Music	York House Inn, Hairy Dog and other pubs/restaurants
Entertainment	What's On in West Somerset (from TIC)
Guides	West Somerset Free Press newspaper - Fridays
Local Radio	Quay West Radio - 102.4 FM

Please explore our other pages for more information. We hope you like what you see and look forward to your "Stay in Minehead". We have produced a short MINIGUIDE & MAP which you can print

Participating Bed & Breakfast, Guest House and Hotel establishments