The Quay Inn, Minehead, Exmoor National Park

[Main photo: The Quay Inn on Quay Street by the South West Coast Path and overlooking Minehead Beach]

Pub by the start/end of the South West Coast Path overlooking Minehead Beach

The Quay Inn is a superb pub by the start/end of the South West Coast Path overlooking 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.

Location of The Quay Inn

The Quay Inn is situated on Quay Street by the South West Coast Path and overlooking Minehead Beach.

We’ve positioned The Quay Inn on Google maps. Zoom in on the ‘Satellite’ setting to see its location.

Directions to, and parking at, The Quay Inn

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 The Quay Inn.

The Quay Inn

‘We are a short walk from the harbour and less than a five minute walk from the town centre and Minehead Rail Station.

The Quay Inn is an independent traditional pub. We boast a range of well kept real ales as well as all the popular beers, ciders and wines you would expect to find, all of which are competitively priced.

We welcome families and we are also dog friendly. Ideal for walkers who wish to tackle some or all of the coastal path as we are situated right at the start! The Quay Inn has a long history in Minehead and is set on the sea front with stunning views of the Bristol Channel.’ (Source: The Quay Inn website with edits.)

South West Coast Path and The Quay Inn

South West Coast Path Start/End Sculpture. The famous South West Coast Path sarts/ends across the road from The Quay Inn.

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.

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 Quay Inn

Minehead Beach. The Quay Inn overlooks Minehead Beach.

Historical and cultural attractions near near The Quay Inn

Minehead Harbour is just up the road. Enjoy a boat trip or walk the South West Coast Path to North Hill. Wander up to the top of North Hill and then Bossington Hill for amazing views of the coast, West Somerset and Exmoor National Park.

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 Quay Inn

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 Quay Inn

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

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 and The Quay Inn

Dunster

Washford

Watchet

Selworthy

Allerford

Bossington

Porlock

Porlock Weir

Wheddon Cross