Walk - Minehead Seafront

2.6 miles (4.2 km)

West Somerset Railway Station car park - TA24 9BG West Somerset Railway Station car park

Easy - This level walk on tarmac and stone pavements is likely to be suitable for people with impaired mobility or with a pushchair, wheelchair, or mobility scooter.

This out-and-back walk provides views over Minehead Bay and the Bristol Channel to South Wales. It passes the beginning of the South West Coast Path, before looping around the harbour, then visiting Culvercliffe Walk, with children’s play area and picnic spot. Returning towards the town, the walk diverts around Blenheim Gardens.

To download our Access guide, click here where you can find additional mapping and photographs showing gradients, path surfaces and other detailed information such as parking and toilet provision.

Checked by SWCPA Volunteer - December 2021.

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There are a range of wonderful places to lay your head near the Coast Path for a well-earned sleep. From large and luxurious hotels, to small and personable B&B's, as well as self-catering options and campsites. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Bossington Bunkhouse

01643 862800

The only hostel on the northern Exmoor section. 5 private rooms set within Bossington Hall, 0.5 mile from the Path. From £47.50pp, linen included, never shared with strangers. Licensed honesty shop with hot meals, beer & breakfast. SINGLE NIGHTS

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Bossington Hall Luxury B&B and Bunkhouse

01643 862800

With breathtaking views and 9 superb rooms, Tennis and Squash, and a private bar for the evening, or for a more affordable option, look at our Bunkhouse rooms.

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You'll be spoilt for choice for where to eat and drink along the Path. With lots of local seasonal food on offer, fresh from the farm, field and waters. Try our local ales, ciders, wines and spirits, increasing in variety by the year, as you sit in a cosy pub, fine dining restaurant or chilled café on the beach. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Jubilee Cafe and Crazy Golf

01643 704110

Join us at the start of the South West Coastal Path for your stamp and an all day breakfast, fish and chips or ice cream as you begin your journey. We have a dog menu too

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Kitnors Tea Garden

Set in the heart of Bossington village, our spacious Orchard Tea Garden provides a tranquil space for walkers (and their dogs!) to relax, unwind and rejuvenate.

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What is on your list of things to do when you visit the Path? From walking companies, to help you tailor your visit, with itineraries and experts to enhance your visit, to baggage transfer companies and visitor attractions there are lots to people and places to help you decide what you'd like to do. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

NCI Minehead

07543 128472

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Our Precious Earth

01643 818228

Multi-award winning sustainable living shop with a large selection of bottles, cups, food containers and cutlery for those on the move.

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Route Description

From the car park walk to Warren Road, go left past the railway station and bus stop, heading towards North Hill.

The railway line opened in 1874. Originally for goods, passenger traffic for seaside holidays greatly increased. The station was extended several times, to accommodate direct trains from London and the midlands, bringing thousands of summer holiday makers. The line closed in 1971, and was reopened as a heritage railway, with seasonal steam trains from Bishops Lydeard, in 1976.

The West Somerset Railway provides regular steam hauled heritage trains from Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton and local towns through most of the year. For timetable information visit www.west-somerset-railway. co.uk/timetables

Cross Warren Road to take The Esplanade beside the beach.

The large buildings on the left were holiday hotels built in Victorian & Edwardian times.

Continue ahead on to Quay Street, passing the sculpture marking the start (or finish) of the 630-mile South West Coast Path.

The path originally passed between the thatched house and pink house opposite, to climb North Hill. When a more seaward route via Culvercliffe became available, the path was diverted.

Continue to “The Old Ship Aground” and turn right to the Harbour.

In front of you is St Peter’s chapel, opened in 1890 as a seamen’s mission, and still in use.

Pause to enjoy Miiehead Harbour, which dates from the 11th Century.

It was a port in 1380, and the current harbour was built in the 16th Century for a large trade in cargo and fish. A pier was built in 1901, attracting holiday traffic from South Wales. The pier was demolished in 1940, because of invasion fears. Today the harbour shelters pleasure and angling boats. The white buildings are part of Butlins holiday camp, opened in the 1962 and still attracting over 50,000 visitors annually.

Turn left towards the Lifeboat station and carry alongside it.

There has been a lifeboat in Minehead since 1906. See mineheadlifeboatblog.wordpress.com.

Turn right to walk west on Quay West.

On your right there are 3 former lime kilns, now used for storage and Quay West toilets (with disabled facilities) and car park.

Continue into Culvercliffe Walk, an open space with a children’s play area and a picnic site, and views over the Bristol Channel. At the end, the Coast Path climbs away on a narrow track: retrace your way towards Minehead.
Continue towards the town, passing former fishermen’s cottages, and turn right into Blenheim Road. After 20 yards, the entrance to Blenheim Gardens is in front of you.
Walk around this award-winning gardens and exit onto Blenheim Road by the white-painted stone shelter.
Turn right to walk down North Street
On reaching The Avenue, turn left to return to the start of the walk

Public transport

Regular buses from Taunton to Minehead and Porlock. Bus stop outside Minehead Railway station. The West Somerset Railway provides regular steam hauled heritage trains from Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton and local towns through most of the year. For timetable information visit https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/timetables