Minehead is a seaside town and civil parish in the English county of Somerset. It rests on the south edge of the Bristol Channel, approximately 21 miles (34 km) north-west of the county town of Taunton, 12 miles (19 kilometres) from the border with the county of Devon and in proximity of the Exmoor National Park. In accordance with the 2011 Census, the town has a permanent population of around 11981, meaning that it is the most populous town in the West Somerset local government area. There is evidence of human occupation in the region since the Bronze and Iron Ages. There was a modest port at Minehead by 1380, which turned into a significant trading centre during the course of the medieval period. A lot of trade moved to larger ports throughout the 20th century, but pleasure steamers did call at the port. A noticeable surge in building throughout the early years of the 20th century led to the wide main shopping avenue and adjoining 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 regional 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 performers and rival horses. The town is the starting point of the South West Coast Path National Trail, which is the nation's longest long-distance countryside walking trail. The Minehead Railway was opened in 1874 and closed in 1971, but it has actually since been reopened as the West Somerset Railway. For all your home enhancements, be sure to find trustworthy experts in Minehead to make certain of quality.