HOLIDAY HOMES IN MINEHEAD

BEST BEACHES

• Minehead beach: sand with some pebble and shingle
• Dunster Beach: shingle and sand, east of Minehead

DOGS ON THE BEACH: 2026 SEASON

Dogs are not allowed on Minehead beach between the Golf Club groyne and the Jubilee Café steps, typically from 1 May to 30 September. Dogs must be on a lead on the Esplanade. Outside that stretch and outside those dates the beach is open to dogs, but Minehead Town Council's Dog Walk map is the reference, so check locally (01643 707213). Rules can change each year, so check the signs.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

• Minehead is the official start of the South West Coast Path, 630 miles to Poole. The first section to Porlock is 8.9 miles over woodland and cliff tops.
• The West Somerset Railway runs heritage steam trains from Minehead station to Bishops Lydeard, calling at Dunster on the way.
• Dunster Castle and the Dunster National Park Centre are a short trip inland.
• The promenade and sea wall run the full length of the beach, ending at the harbour and the old fishing quarter.
• Butlin's Minehead is at the east end of the seafront; Channel Adventure on the seafront hires bikes for Exmoor.
• Eat: independent cafés and pubs in town, and a Friday Farmers Market on The Parade from 9am to 2pm.

From local tourist information (mineheadtowncouncil.gov.uk somerset.gov.uk visit-exmoor.co.uk visit-exmoor.co.uk keepbritaintidy.org), checked 22 October 2026.