Minehead is a seaside town and civil parish in the English county of Somerset. It sits on the south bank of the Bristol Channel, around 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 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 populous town in the West Somerset local government region. There is evidence of human occupation in the area since the Bronze and Iron Ages. There was a small port at Minehead by 1380, which grew into a primary trading centre during the medieval period. Most trade transferred to larger ports through the 20th century, however pleasure steamers did call at the port. A notable rise in building during the early years of the 20th century led to the large main shopping avenue and adjoining roads 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 practice involves the Hobby Horse, which takes to the streets for 4 days on the eve of the first of May each year, with accompanying musician and performers and rival 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 actually now been reopened as the West Somerset Train. For all of your home developments, be sure to identify credible professionals in Minehead to make certain of quality.