My Minehead Hiking Weekend in Somerset

February 17, 2010

Minehead Weekend Hiking In Somerset

Minehead Weekend Hiking In Somerset started when we arrived at Northfield Hotel in Minehead, Somerset which was from 1pm on the Friday. The hotel had a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and steam room, which we took advantage of on both Friday and after the Saturday day hiking. In the evening we all went out for a local curry and a drink. Afterwards, we went back to the hotel for a weekend briefing and a chat.

On the Saturday, breakfast in the hotel was between 08.00 and 09.30. The hiking of the Minehead Weekend Hiking In Somerset started when we began the day hiking from the hotel at 10.00. The morning hiking distance was about 6 miles to the lovely village of Dunster which had an impressive Castle and Yarn Market. The route was along the coastal path, then inland across open farmland and through a woodland area with a lovely brook.

If you cannot see video, click link to watch on YouTube –> Minehead Weekend Hiking

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There was a buffet lunch organised at the Dunster Castle Hotel. This was a very welcome change from the normal packed lunch one would have on a hike, especially as there had been a very cold wind blowing in from the sea.

After lunch, of the 30 hikers, 10 took up the option of catching the local steam train back to Minehead, whilst the other 20 hiked another 5 miles back to Minehead. Most of the route was in the Exmoor National Park and took us along a long uphill section and then through open high ground with marvellous views.

On our return to Minehead, we went for a coffee and cake in a local café before soaking our muscles in the pool and Jacuzzi. On Saturday evening we met in the hotel bar for a drink before consuming a great dinner around 7.30. Afterwards, we took part in a team based quiz in the function room which was great fun!

On Sunday, after breakfast in the hotel, we checked out around 10.15 and drove to Wheddon Cross in a lovely area of Exmoor. The area is very famous for its annual show of Snowdrops, for which people travel from all over the country to see. We hiked down the valley to North Hawkwell Wood, which is know locally as Snowdrop Valley. The hiking distance was about 6 miles through some beautiful landscape, from woodland paths following brooks, some open land with great views and last but not least, the snowdrops.

After the hike we had a bacon roll, coffee and cake whilst others had a carvery lunch in a lovely local pub. We set off for home about 14.00 after a great weekend hiking event.

Steve Dell of Fizz Leisure organised this Weekend Hiking event for SPICE, in Minehead In Somerset, England.

Minehead Weekend Hiking Local Information

Minehead is a lovely coastal town with a great beach and harbour. It lies in the north-west of Somerset county, some 21 miles north-west of Taunton and 12 miles from the border with Devon county. Minehead is very close to Exmoor National Park and is the largest town in West Somerset.

Minehead has plenty of tea shops and pubs in which to take a break and rest your feet. The West Somerset Steam Railway starts in Minehead and has a number of Victorian stations such as the lovely villages of Dunster and Washford or the ancient harbour town of Watchet. Minehead is also the home of a Butlins Holiday Park which increases the local seasonal tourist population by several thousand.

The name Minehead is derived from its North Hill, considered its crowning glory, and the old English word, MYNED, meaning a hill. From its summit you can see both the Quantocks and the Brendons, and closer the Hopcott Hills. Minehead has a long history as a port and the present day harbour has a pier which was built in 1616. Trade was mainly with Wales with cattle, sheep, wool, butter, fish and coal. There is an RNLI lifeboat station which it has had since 1901 when it was requested by local residents.