Itineraries

Family Weekend

minehead blenheim gdns 3

Friday


 Walk along the seafront. Play on the pirate ship before you follow the Maritime Mile Trail https://www.mineheadbay.co.uk/maritime-mile marked by shiny shells which start on the sea front opposite Butlin’s Holiday Centre.The shells will guide you to our historic Minehead Harbour. Search the 4 Harbour Plaques, you’ll see on the Quay, to find the hidden fish.  Maybe stop for an ice-cream or fish & chips on your way or call into one of Minehead’s many eateries.To finish the first day of your Minehead family adventure why not visit Minehead lifeboat station and shop located just behind Minehead harbour.  Check their website for opening hours and tour times.  Minehead Lifeboat Station - RNLI Lifeboat Stations

 

Saturday

Morning: Pick up a FREE Original Metal Head Trail Map from Minehead Information Centre, opposite the West Somerset Railway station and see how many you can spot as you walk around the town.  The Original Minehead Metalheads Trail (mineheadbay.co.uk)

Go on the beach! Make sandcastles and have a paddle if the tide is in. Borrow buckets spades and other essential beach toys from the FREE Beach Toy Library, created by Plastic Free West Somerset, hosted by The Beach Hotel, opposite the West Somerset Railway station Free Beach Toy Library (mineheadbay.co.uk) Do a 2 minute litter pickhttps://www.mineheadbay.co.uk/point-of-interest/2minute-litterpick Collect your picker and bag from outside Minehead Information Centre or Channel Adventure.

Lunchtime: Picnic on the beach or in Blenheim Gardens

Afternoon: A round or two of crazy golf at the Jubilee Cafe on the sea front or pitch and put in Blenheim Gardens. Hire your putters from the cafe in Blenheim Gardens.  Play in one of the 4 childrens’ play areas you can find in Minehead. mineheadbay.co.uk/types/minehead-play-areas/map .  Visit Minehead Museum, located at The Beach Hotel to find out where the town got it’s name from amongst other things. Ask the steward on duty for a FREE quiz to do as you walk round. 

Early evening:  Dine at The Hairy Dog Pub & Restaurant found in The Avenue that has an awesome FREE play area for kids.

Evening: Go star gazing on North Hill.  Drive to the end of North Hill, park up and enjoy the view.  Take some yummy snacks with you to help make the adventure special.

 

Sunday

Morning: Take a steam train and travel the line to Watchet via the West Somerset Railway https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/   when you arrive why not visit the town’s FREE Boat Museum found next to Watchet Train Station, where you’ll find lots of interactive activities for children of all ages!

Lunchtime: Picnic on the beach or visit a local cafe

Afternoon:  Hunt for fossils or go crabbing on Watchet’s pebbled beach before catching the train back to Minehead for souvenir shopping

 

 For rainy day suggestions click this link https://www.mineheadbay.co.uk/minehead-rainy-days

 

Weekend for Couples

maritime mile 3

Friday


Afternoon: Take a stroll along Minehead seafront. Follow the Maritime Mile Trail https://www.mineheadbay.co.uk/maritime-mile which starts on the sea front opposite Butlin’s Holiday Centre and ends at Minehead Harbour.  Enjoy the Open-Air Gallery and official starting point of the South West Coast Path statue along the way.  Maybe stop and call in to one of Minehead’s many eateries. Visit the Minehead lifeboat station and shop located just behind Minehead harbour.  Check their website for opening hours and tour times.  Minehead Lifeboat Station - RNLI Lifeboat Stations

Evening:  Eat fish and chips on the seafront or eat out in one of Minehead’s local pubs or restaurants.  Call in to The Ship Aground to find out if it’s one of their live music Friday events.

Saturday


Option 1 Take a trip on the West Somerset Railway. https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/ Why not buy a rover ticket so you can enjoy unlimited travel on the longest heritagerailway in England. Explore each station on the line.  Stop off at the harbour town of Watchet or Blue Anchor Bay where you can take a stroll along the beach or promenade.

Lunchtime: Enjoy the catering onboard or stop at one of the stations along the route, Eat in one of the cafes or pubs you’ll find in Watchet or Blue Anchor.

Option 2 Catch the Exmoor Coaster bus service to Lynmouth and enjoy the stunning views across the channel and over Exmoor.  Explore Lynton and maybe walk to the Valley of the Rocks via the South West Coast Path. Stop off and visit the pretty village of Porlock as part of your trip https://www.firstbus.co.uk/adventures-bus/services/exmoor-coaster

Lunchtime:  Eat fish & chips outside in the fresh air or enjoy one of the many eateries in Lynton, Lynmouth or Porlock.

Option 3 Explore the medieval village of Dunster just 2 miles away from Minehead.  Catch the No 28 bus service from Minehead that departs every 30 minutes Monday - Saturday. Take a stroll around the village stopping at the walled gardens and Pack Horse Bridge.  Visit Dunster Castle, Gardens and Water Mill owned by the National Trust https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/dunster-castle-and-watermill?year=2014

Lunchtime:  Take a picnic to eat at the Pack Horse Bridge, eat at the cafe next to the Water Mill or one of the many eateries you will find in Dunster  High Street and West Street. 

Evening: Eat out in one of Minehead’s local pubs or restaurants then watch a performance at The Regal Theatre, or catch the latest  film release at The Avenue Cinema next door to the theatre in The Avenue, Minehead. 

 

Sunday

Morning: Drive up onto North Hill, maybe walk to Selworthy Beacon to blow away the cobwebs and enjoy the views of Porlock Bay and the Welsh coastline.  See if you can spot our native Exmoor Ponies.  

Lunchtime: Enjoy a traditional Sunday lunch in a local hotel/pub/restaurant

Afternoon: Visit Minehead Museum, located within The Beach Hotel opposite the West Somerset Railway which is FREE entry.  Take a self guided Story Walk around Minehead https://www.mineheadbay.co.uk/blog/minehead-storywalk-trails . There are 6 to choose from  each  lasting approximately 45minutes  https://minehead.storywalks.info/   Relax in Blenheim Gardens, listen to the FREE outdoor concerts held every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, 2.00pm -4.00pm  from July to mid September.

 

For rainy day suggestions click this link https://www.mineheadbay.co.uk/minehead-rainy-days

 

Active Weekend for Couples

Friday
Afternoon: Walk along Minehead seafront. Follow the Maritime Mile Trail https://www.mineheadbay.co.uk/maritime-mile which starts on the sea front opposite Butlin’s Holiday Centre and ends at Minehead Harbour.  Enjoy the Open-Air Gallery and official starting point of the South West Coast Path statue along the way.  Maybe stop and call in to one of Minehead’s many eateries. Visit the Minehead lifeboat station and shop located just behind Minehead harbour.  Check their website for opening hours and tour times.  Minehead Lifeboat Station - RNLI Lifeboat Stations   Continue walking along the seafront past the RNLI station until you reach Culver Cliff where you will see the first signpost for the South West coast Path.

Evening:  Eat fish and chips on the seafront or dine in one of Minehead’s local pubs or restaurants.  Call in to The Ship Aground to find out if it’s one of their live music Friday events.

SW Coast Path Hands

Saturday

Option 1: Take the Exmoor Coaster bus to Porlock.  Walk the South West Coast Path back to Minehead with a lunch time picnic on North Hill, Distance about 9miles. Maybe stop at Bossington tea gardens for a cream tea.

Option 2: Take the Exmoor Coaster bus to Porlock.  Walk the South West Coast Path to Lynmouth with a lunch time picnic.  Enjoy an ice cream before catching the Exmoor Coaster bus service from Lynmouth back to Minehead.  Distance about 10miles

Option 3:  Join Minehead Park Run that meet on the sea front opposite the Minehead Information Centre. Start time: 9.00am, click here to register https://www.parkrun.org.uk/minehead/   Enjoy a hearty breakfast afterwards in a local eatery. 

Using the circular walking map, available from Minehead Information Centre or on line via the National Trails website,  https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/england-coast-path-south-west/circular-linear-walks/    walk to the medieval village of Dunster. When in Dunster, walk around the village stopping at the walled gardens and Pack Horse Bridge.

Lunchtime:  Take a picnic to eat at the Pack Horse Bridge, eat at the cafe next to the Water Mill or one of the many eateries you will find in the High Street and West Street. 

Evening: Eat out at a local pub/restaurant.  Go for a night time walk: follow the Exmoor National Park’s Dark Skies Discovery Trail. An easy walk to experience some of the darkest skies in the country  https://exmoorwalks.org/darksky  You will need a car to drive  to the starting point at  Larkbarrow Corner.

 

Sunday

Option 1: Book a round of golf at Minehead’s 18 hole Golf Club https://mineheadgolf.co.uk/  followed by lunch in the club house.  

Option 2: Book Minehead Tennis Courts in Irnham Road Recreation Ground and play a few matches.  https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/IrnhamRoadRecreationGround

Option 3:  Book a 1/2/3/ hour coastal cruise with Teddie Boys Coastal Charters https://www.teddieboycharters.co.uk/coastal-cruises  Departure times dependant on tide times from Minehead Harbour.

Option 4: Book an adventure with Channel Adventure https://www.channeladventure.co.uk/minehead/

 

Lunchtime:   Enjoy a traditional Sunday lunch in a local hotel/pub/restaurant

 

For rainy day suggestions click this link https://www.mineheadbay.co.uk/minehead-rainy-days

 

Things to do in a day

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Hire a bike and explore the area via peddle-power

Take the children to Minehead EYE or Tropiquaria followed by fish chips on the seafront

Just relax on the beach - reading a book, crab lining, paddling, swimming; whatever you prefer

Go horse-riding across Exmoor or the Quantock Hills

Explore Exmoor by car, stopping off at the ancient Tarr Steps for a walk along the river. Make sure you call in for a pub lunch and cream tea along the way