Minehead
Minehead is a seaside town and civil parish in the English county of Somerset. It rests on the south edge of the Bristol Channel, roughly 21 miles (34 kilometres) north-west of the county town of Taunton, 12 miles (19 km) from the border with the county of Devon and in distance of the Exmoor National Park. According to the 2011 Census, the town has a permanent population of around 11981, meaning that it is the most populated town in the West Somerset local government region. There is indication of human occupation in the area since the Bronze and Iron Ages. There was a modest port at Minehead by 1380, which turned into a major trading centre during the course of the medieval period. The majority of trade transferred to larger ports through the 20th century, however pleasure steamers did call at the port. A significant increase in building throughout the early years of the 20th century resulted in the large main shopping avenue and nearby streets with Edwardian-style architecture. There are a selection of schools and religious, cultural and sporting facilities consisting of sailing and wind surfing and golf. A popular ancient local custom involves the Hobby Horse, which takes to the streets for four days on the eve of the first of May each year, with accompanying entertainers and competing horses. The town is the starting point of the South West Coast Path National Trail, which is the country's longest long-distance countryside walking trail. The Minehead Railway was opened in 1874 and closed in 1971, however it has actually since been reopened as the West Somerset Train. For all of your home renovations, make sure to find respected contractors in Minehead to make certain of quality.