The Old Ship Aground, Minehead, Exmoor National Park
[Main photo: The Old Ship Aground by Minehead Harbour]
Pub overlooking Minehead Harbour on the South West Coast Path
The Old Ship Aground is a superb pub by the start/end of the South West Coast Path overlooking Minehead Harbour and Minehead Beach. It’s a great place to enjoy food and drink whilst exploring this popular holiday destination.
Stay if you’re starting or completing the South West Coast Path or the lesser known West Somerset Coast Path. The South West Coast Path Start/End Sculpture is nearby.
Location of The Old Ship Aground
The Old Ship Aground is situated by Minehead Harbour and below North Hill. It’s at the western end of Minehead Beach and near the start/end of the South West Coast Path marked by the South West Coast Path Start/End Sculpture.
We’ve positioned The Old Ship Aground on Google maps. Zoom in on the ‘Satellite’ setting to see its location.
Directions to, and parking at, The Old Ship Aground
Follow the Esplanade and Quay Street in the direction of North Hill and Minehead Harbour.
There’s parking at Quay West Car Park by Minehead Harbour.
There’s also 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.
The Old Ship Aground
‘The Old Ship aground, built in 1911 and formally known as the Pier hotel, is an historic listed Edwardian pub located on the harbour in Minehead.’ (Source: The Old Ship Aground website.)
South West Coast Path and The Old Ship Aground
South West Coast Path. The South West Coast Path is a 630 miles long distance trail following the West Country coast from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset. In Minehead, the start/end is marked by a sculpture. The coastal path then runs along the Exmoor coast to the highest cliffs in mainland Britain. The South West Coast Path Start/End Sculpture is on Quay Street near the harbour.
West Somerset Coast Path. The West Somerset Coast Path is a 25 mile long distance walking route that passes through Watchet. It's this area's version of Exmoor's South West Coast Path. Highly recommended. 'The West Somerset Coast Path runs from the hamlet of Steart to the coastal resort of Minehead and passes through the Quantock Hills National Landscape (former Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or AONB). The Coast Path links the River Parrett Trail to the South West Coast Path National Trail. The path also joins the Coleridge Way and Quantock Greenway just south of the A39 near East Quantoxhead.' (Source: West Somerset Coast Path leaflet.)
Minehead Beach, the coast and The Old Ship Aground
The Old Ship Aground is at the western end of Minehead Beach. This is the most popular family beach in this part of the West Country. It’s a huge expanse of sand at low tide.
Minehead Beach extends west to Dunster Beach which is one of many on the West Somerset coast running to Stert Point, WWT (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) Steart Marshes and the Somerset Wetlands National National Reserve as marked on Ordnance Survey mapping.
Historical and cultural attractions near near The Old Ship Aground
Minehead Harbour. This is at the western end of Minehead Beach close to the start/end of the South West Coast Path and below North Hill.
Further away, visit:
Dunster Castle (National Trust)
Dunster Yarn Market, Butter Cross and Gallox Bridge (English Heritage)
Cleeve Abbey (English Heritage)
Watchet Harbour and Watchet Marina. Look out for The Ancient Mariner Sculpture in Watchet.
Coleridge Cottage (National Trust)
Allerford Museum West Somerset Rural Life Museum and Victorian School in Allerford on the other side of North Hill and Bossington Hill on the edge of Porlock Vale and near Bossington Beach, Porlock, Porlock Weir and Porlock Beach.
Gardens near The Old Ship Aground
Minehead Blenheim Gardens. This is ‘a popular 6 acre park in the centre of Minehead’. (Source: Somerset Council website.)
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 The Old Ship Aground
West Somerset Railway. The West Somerset Railway runs from the east border of Exmoor at Minehead and Dunster to Watchet and then Bishops Lydeard below the Quantock Hills. It’s a super family attraction for those on holiday in Exmoor National Park and the wider area.
Dunster Estate (The Crown Estate) including Conygar Tower and the tallest tree in England.
Dunster Beach. Massive sand and stone beach at low tide within walking distance of Dunster village.
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). This is the highest point in Exmoor National Park. Stunning views on a clear day.
Villages and towns near Minehead and The Old Ship Aground
Dunster
Washford
Watchet
Selworthy
Allerford
Bossington
Porlock
Porlock Weir
Wheddon Cross
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