Minehead Church Steps, Minehead, Exmoor National Park

[Main photo: view of Minehead Church Steps looking up to St Michael’s Church]

Church and much photographed church steps in an older area of Minehead

Minehead St Michael’s Church is located on the side of North Hill overlooking Minehead Beach. The church and its much photographed church steps are part of an older area of Minehead (15th century church on the flank of North Hill above Minehead Harbour) with beautiful whitewashed thatched cottages and extraordinary views. We’d recommend wandering up to North Hill via MInehead Church Steps to enjoy old Minehead and these views. One for sightseers and photographers.

Location of Minehead Church Steps

Minehead Church Steps lead up to St Michael’s Church which is located on the flank of North Hill on the western end of Minehead Beach.

We’ve positioned Minehead Church Steps on Google maps. Zoom in on the ‘Satellite’ setting to see their location.

Directions to, and parking at, Minehead Church Steps

Look at Ordnance Survey mapping and you’ll see Higher Town on the flank of North Hill. The area is above Minehead Harbour at the western end of Minehead Beach.

Approach from Church Street or Vicarage Road. The steps ascend to St Michaels Road and St Michaels Church.

There’s street parking along the Esplanade and Quay Street. There are various car parks in town. Try Station Car Park, North Road Car Park, Clanville Car Park, Summerland Car Park and Alexandra Car Park. There are lots of car parks by Butlin’s Minehead if you’re staying there.

You can also park at Quay West Car Park by Minehead Harbour and walk the South West Coast Path to North Hill from there.

Minehead Church Steps

The steps ascend to St Michaels Road and St Michaels Church. ‘Parish church. C15 with earlier south porch; heavily restored 1880, restored 1974.’ (Source: Historic England website. Parish Church of St Michael listing.)

Historical and cultural attractions near near Minehead Church Steps

Minehead Harbour

Further away, visit:

Dunster Castle (National Trust)

Dunster Yarn Market, Butter Cross and Gallox Bridge (English Heritage)

Cleeve Abbey (English Heritage)

The Ancient Mariner Sculpture in Watchet

Coleridge Cottage (National Trust)

Allerford Museum West Somerset Rural Life Museum and Victorian School

Gardens near Minehead Church Steps

Minehead Blenheim Gardens

Further away, visit:

Dunster Gardens, Dovecote and Tithe Barn

Dunster Castle (National Trust). The castle is surrounded by many gardens and heavily wooded walkways. The Keep Garden tops the hill on which the castle sits. Lawn’s Bridge, Marshall’s Bridge and Lovers’ Bridge span the River Avill on the eastern side of the castle.

Selworthy Green (National Trust)

Knightshayes (National Trust)

Cothay Manor

Hestercombe House & Gardens

Other attractions near Minehead Church Steps

West Somerset Railway

Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate)

Conygar Tower

The tallest tree in England

Dunster Beach

Holnicote Estate (National Trust). Holnicote Estate is 'one of the largest and most diverse countryside properties owned and managed by the National Trust. The 5026 hectare estate gives you the opportunity to discover picturesque villages, woodland, farmland, moorland coastline, archaeological sites and a wide array of wildlife, including many species that are rare in the UK. Most of the estate can be explored using more that 240km of bridleways and footpaths.' (Source: information board at Selworthy). We'd recommend following the moorland road that climbs to Webber's Post and Dunkery Hill. Walk to Dunkery Beacon which is the highest point in Exmoor National Park. There are huge panoramic views. It's particularly impressive in late summer when the heather's out.

Dunkery and Horner Wood National Nature Reserve

Dunkery Beacon (National Trust)

Villages and towns near Minehead Church Steps

Dunster

Washford

Watchet

Selworthy

Allerford

Bossington

Porlock

Porlock Weir

Wheddon Cross