Minehead

Coast, hills and the start of the South West Coast Path

Minehead is a coastal town in Somerset, set on the Bristol Channel at the eastern edge of Exmoor National Park. Backed by the slopes of North Hill and the countryside of Exmoor, the town marks the starting point of the South West Coast Path, which begins beside the seafront before heading west along the coast.

The South West Coast Path starts in Minehead and continues for more than 600 miles around the coasts of Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset to Poole Harbour. The opening section quickly introduces walkers to the changing landscape of Exmoor, climbing from Minehead towards North Hill before continuing along the coast towards Porlock and Porlock Weir.

Minehead itself stretches along a broad seafront beneath North Hill, with the harbour and older parts of the town at its western end. From the coast, footpaths climb into woodland, heath and open countryside, creating opportunities for shorter walks as well as the beginning of the long-distance trail.

The town has shops, cafés, pubs, places to eat and a range of accommodation, making it a practical place to stay before beginning the South West Coast Path or while exploring the eastern side of Exmoor.

Exploring Minehead on foot

Walking from Minehead ranges from relatively level routes along the seafront to considerably steeper paths on North Hill and the Exmoor coast. This transition from seaside town to wooded slopes, heathland and open coastal countryside is one of the defining features of walking here.

West from the town, the South West Coast Path climbs towards North Hill before continuing through Exmoor National Park towards Porlock and Porlock Weir. Walkers can use shorter sections of the route for day walks without committing to the longer trail, while other local paths provide connections into the hills and countryside behind Minehead.

Minehead also provides a useful base for exploring Exmoor beyond the coast. Footpaths and bridleways connect the town with the surrounding hills, woodland and moorland, allowing coastal walking to be combined with routes into the national park.

For walkers staying in Minehead, The Old Ship Aground provides a harbour-side base close to the beginning of the South West Coast Path. From here, walkers can explore Minehead's seafront and North Hill, begin the coast path towards Porlock, or use the town as a base for exploring the eastern landscapes of Exmoor National Park.