Useful Information
OUT AND ABOUT IN MINEHEAD AND SURROUNDING AREAS
Minehead is an attractive traditional seaside town with a lovely sandy beach. This vibrant and interesting
coastal area boasts stunning scenery and offers fanstastic cycling and walking opportunities. It’s great too
for just taking a relaxing stroll and taking in the sights!
Minehead is a great location for discovering picturesque Somerset and Exmoor, so even if you book the
caravan for ‘accommodation only’ dates or you simply feel like venturing out of the Butlins complex, there’s
a good variety of things to see and do in the surrounding areas. There is so much to offer, but the following
are just for a little taster!
The Beach -
Minehead’s lovely clean sandy beach is directly
opposite Butlins and it sweeps all the way round the coast up
to the Harbour. It’s a good size so there’s plenty of room for all
to enjoy. Take a walk along the Promenade all the way from
Butlins over to the Harbour. The Promenade has a good flat
surface so it’s ideal for prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs
and is pleasant to walk along.
Minehead Town Centre –
This is about halfway along the walk from Butlins to the Harbour. There’s a
variety of traditional independent retailers and high street names providing a great balance of specialist
shops, food stores, clothing and accessories, hair and beauty, jewellery, souvenirs,and of course ice-cream.
There is also a Farmers Market held on certain days.
Minehead Harbour –
Take a stroll around the Harbour and see
the boats. The RNLI Lifeboat Station is here – you might even be
able to catch a glimpse of the lifeboat and her crew in training!
There’s several places along here for a drink and a bite to eat too,
including several tearooms and The Old Ship Aground pub which is
a traditional seaside pub offering a warm welcome and
homecooked food.
Places to Eat and Drink –
There are plenty of places to
eat and drink in Minehead ranging from cafes and tearooms,
pubs and restaurants, takeaways, and fish and chips. The
Hairy Dog is a family friendly pub serving food and great for
entertaining children as it has a large outdoor playground, and
the Duke of Wellington (a Wetherspoons pub) is in a traditional
setting and serves good quality food at
excellent value.
Supermarkets -
Morrisons,Tesco and Lidl are just along the road from Butlins so really handy for your
holiday shopping, especially if you plan to eat in at the caravan or need a picnic for the beach.
(McDonalds is really near too!)
Days Out and Things To Do –
Fishing
– Why not bring your fishing equipment and spend
some time by the fishing lake at the Caravan Park. All free,
no licence needed and spend as long as you like!
Minehead Golf Course
– Play a round of golf on this 18-hole course
which is right next door to Butlins. Visitors are always welcome.
West Somerset Railway
– Enjoy some time out to
yesteryear on historic steam and diesel locomotives.
Leave from Minehead near the town centre and alight
at some quaint villages along the way.
Watchet and the Harbour
– Watchet is an ancient
harbour town with real character and some interesting
shops. Take a stroll around the Marina or eat fish and
chips sitting on the esplanade watching the boats going
in and out. There’s a pub and the Harbour Masters
shop is here too.
Dunster Village
sits just outside of Minehead. This
unique village boasts a number of attractions and
features including over 200 listed buildings, an ancient
high street, The Old Yarn Market, a dolls museum, and
much more. There are plentiful restaurants, pubs and
tearooms, and the village has quaint unusual shops.
Watersmeet -
Visit Watersmeet to
the west of Minehead,
about 1.5 miles to the east of Lynmouth, to experience a
dramatic river gorge and ancient woodlands - described as
‘a haven for wildlife and with breathtaking views’. Enjoy a
traditional cream tea at the National Trust tearoom and
garden at Watersmeet House and buy gifts at the National
Trust Shop.
Dunster Castle -
Discover this ancient castle owned by
the National Trust and take time to explore the sub-tropical
gardens. Feel free to picnic in the grounds or maybe visit
the tearoom. There’s also a shop selling unique items.
Lynton and Lynmouth -
These 2 villages are known as
‘Little Switzerland’ and are on the coast to the west of
Minehead. Take a drive up the famous Porlock Hill if you
dare and travel through Exmoor - you might even see the
wild ponies. The villages lie one above the other and are
linked by a famous and ingenious Cliff Railway. Both villages
have a good range of pubs, tearooms, restaurants and
shops. There’s also a harbour, a Museum and much more! Experience a different pace of life in Lynton and
Lynmouth, enjoy the magnificent scenery, the backdrop of cliffs, and the spectacular river - well worth a visit.
We’re sure there’s lots more great places to add on here.
Let us know of any you’ve visited!