Minehead and Dunster

The town of Minehead, with its pier and harbour, has long been recognised as one of the safest anchorages along a fairly inhospitable coast (if you happen to be a sailor). Used basically as an export port for the cloth trade of Taunton, the fortunes of the port declined by the 1790’s and when the herring fishery also hit hard times the fate of Minehead as a flourishing shipping and fishing port was finally sealed.

The first written mention of Minehead comes in the Domesday Book of 1087.The name ‘Minehead’ is Celtic, similar in origin to the Welsh mynydd (mountain), reflecting the prominence of North Hill which shelters the settlement at its base, immediately next to the sea.

With the growth of transport links in the 19th Century, it developed a new image as a holiday resort. From 1860 onwards, under the auspices of the Luttrell family, new stone buildings were erected and gas street lighting and a piped water supply were installed. In 1874 the railway came to Minehead and shortly afterwards the streets were paved.

Rapid expansion followed and many new residences were built, often to accommodate visitors, as well as a bustling promenade alongside the beach with bathing machines, donkeys and all the other requisites for a successful holiday. By the beginning of the 20th century, much of the centre of Minehead as it looks today was built, and it was a thriving holiday resort visited by thousands of people each year.

Today Minehead is a bustling community and a tourist resort. It still has a traditional fishing fleet and many of these now take tourists out for day trips. The shopping is good and there is plenty to do and see. The area is well served with good quality restaurants, cafes and bars. There is a wide sandy beach and a trip on the Somerset Steam Railway is recommended. This is also the home of Butlins Somerwest World which is located on the seafront and features plenty of entertainment and rides.

With the decline in traditional one or two week ‘bucket and spade’ holidays in the last thirty years, Minehead has worked hard to develop itself as a centre for short breaks, particularly for those wishing to explore the beauties of the nearby Exmoor National Park.

Exmoor Cycle Hire gives you the perfect start to your pedal-powered journeys around this beautiful landscape and its tourist attractions. They have quality bikes, tandems, tagalongs and trailers for everyone from families to off-road enthusiasts at great rates from two hours to a week. Their free ‘suggested route’ maps provide everything from undulating roads and cycleways for families with children, to the lung-bursting trails of the Exmoor Cycle Route, well known to off-road enthusiasts. Cycling round this area makes a memorable holiday adventure!

Dunster Castle

Dunster is known for two main buildings - the Castle and the Yarn Market - and for being the place where the hymn we all sang as children was written. Grabbist Hill is where Mrs Alexander composed ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’. The wide High Street forms a magnificent setting for the castle at one end, although today you may get jostled by the crowds if you come at a peak holiday season, for Dunster is justly one of the most popular magnets for visitors to the area.

But in 1645 you might well have been jostled by a more formidable object than a fellow visitor’s elbow, for that was the time of the Civil War and cannon balls flew up and down the street as the Cromwellians attempted to dislodge the Royalists holding the castle.

They were finally successful after a 160 day siege, but the defenders were allowed to march honourably from the Castle with their flags flying and drums playing and go off to their homes unmolested by the victors. It was the last Royalist stronghold to fall in Somerset. The Yarn Market was damaged in the crossfire and if you look at the roof beams you can still see the marks where a cannonball hit.

Dunster Castle is basically medieval with many modifications and refinements made in later centuries. When you visit the castle you will appreciate how impenetrable it could be. The building is now in the care of the National Trust, who also have a shop in Dunster. By buying their high quality goods or by joining the Trust (if you are not already a member) you will support the excellent conservation work they do.