Minehead is an historic seaside town situated on the Somerset coast on the edge of Exmoor. There are loads of reasons why Minehead is such a popular holiday and tourist hot spot, but here are our top 5 reasons why we think everyone should visit.

1.) The Gateway to Exmoor

Rising above the town is North Hill, a popular route up onto Exmoor for cyclists, walkers and even cars. Once up on Exmoor visitors can enjoy the stunning sea and countryside views. An ideal place for photographers to capture the beauty of this designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and enjoy a variety of wildlife including deer and Exmoor ponies.

2.) The South West Coastal Path

The South West Coastal Path is a 630 mile stretch across the South West of England and starts in Minehead. For those brave enough to walk it in one go, it can be completed in 30 days. However, most people enjoy completing parts of the walk it in shorter bursts. Either way, the beginning of the coastal path, from Minehead to Porlock Weir leads you through spectacular woodlands and up onto Exmoor with breath-taking views of the sea.

3.) Seaside Town

Minehead is a seaside town meaning you can spend your morning shopping and drinking coffee on the high street before strolling down to the beach to soak up the summer sun. Minehead beach consists of both a pebbly beach, ideal for rock pooling and a long stretch of sand which is perfect for sandcastles. The harbour is also a popular attraction for visitors as well as the RNLI lifeboat station and shop.

4.) Family Friendly Attractions

Minehead is a great place for all the family to enjoy. The coastal town is within walking distance of the historic medieval village of Dunster and Dunster castle which is owned by the National Trust. Minehead also boasts its own steam railway which is great for train fanatics or just a fun family day out. The railway travels from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard with many interesting stops along the way. There are also lots of family friendly pubs, restaurants and walks to be enjoyed around the local area.

5.) Sporting links

Minehead is also a great spot for sporting facilities. Water sports such as kayaking and paddle boarding can be enjoyed from the seafront. There is also a golf club, many biking opportunities alongside hikes that can be completed around the local area, Quantock hills and Exmoor.

If you can think of any other reasons why people should visit please comment below, we would love to hear from you.

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