Minehead North Hill, Minehead, Exmoor National Park
[Main photo: North Hill viewed from Minehead Beach]
Amazing views of Minehead, Minehead Beach, the West Somerset coast and the Bristol Channel
North Hill rises steeply above Minehead. It provides amazing views of Minehead, Minehead Beach, the West Somerset coast and the Bristol Channel.
Location of Minehead North Hill
North Hill is at the western end of Minehead Beach.
We’ve positioned North Hill on Google maps. Zoom in on the ‘Satellite’ setting to see its location.
Directions to, and parking at, Minehead North Hill
When in Minehead, you’ll see North Hill rising adobe the town. Wander along the Esplanade and Quay Street in the direction of Minehead Harbour. Numerous paths take you up top. See Ordnance Survey mapping but we’d suggest you follow the South West Coast Path.
A road climbs through old Minehead (Higher Town on Ordnance Survey mapping) and cuts across North Hill to Bossington Hill. There’s a large car parking area where the road ends. The views are sensational.
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 North Hill
North Hill is a part of a huge, whaleback hill that runs from Minehead across to Porlock Vale. North Hill is at the eastern end of this whaleback. Bossington Hill is at the western end. At 308 metres above sea level, Selworthy Beacon is the highest point.
North Hill provides amazing views of Minehead, Minehead Beach, the West Somerset coast and the Bristol Channel. Exmoor’s highest point, Dunkery Beacon on Dunkery Hill, is to the south west. Porlock Vale and the extraordinary Exmoor coastline are to the west.
The South West Coast Path runs across the whaleback hill and splits/joins on North Hill. One section of the South West Coast Path runs along the steep coast. The other section runs along the top of the whaleback hill and passes by Selworthy Beacon. Note that the South West Coast Path joins/splits on Bossington Hill as well. See Ordnance Survey mapping for detail. If you’re walking the South West Coast Path here, you have a choice between coast and high ground.
Historical and cultural attractions Minehead North Hill
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 North Hill
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 North Hill
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 North Hill
Dunster
Washford
Watchet
Selworthy
Allerford
Bossington
Porlock
Porlock Weir
Wheddon Cross
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