Minehead
Minehead is a coastal town and civil parish in the English county of Somerset. It rests on the south edge of the Bristol Channel, roughly 21 miles (34 km) 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 heavily populated town in the West Somerset local government district. 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 main trading centre throughout the medieval period. A lot of trade moved to larger ports during the 20th century, however pleasure steamers did call at the port. A noticeable increase in building throughout the early years of the 20th century led to the large main shopping avenue and adjoining streets with Edwardian-style architecture. There are a variety of schools and religious, cultural and sporting facilities including sailing and wind surfing and golf. A popular ancient local practice involves the Hobby Horse, which takes to the streets for 4 days on the eve of the very 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 hiking path. The Minehead Railway was opened in 1874 and closed in 1971, but it has now been reopened as the West Somerset Railway. For all your home improvements, make certain to identify respected specialists in Minehead to make certain of quality.
