'A Guide to Minehead' published in 1879 delights to inform us that Minehead has
'A capital sandy beach for miles along the shore so that the ground of the bay is quite flat. There are machines for the use of visitors and the bathing is both safe, comfortable and deliciously warm.'
During this era Minehead was re-inventing itself as a holiday destination partly due to the recent collapse of the herring industry. In the following years the railway would extend to Minehead and a pier was constructed for pleasure steamers to dock, all adding to the town's attractions.
Chapter one
Deliciously Warm
Chapter two
The Lagoon
It must be said that Minehead's current quaint harbour belies its medieval maritime history for it was once a major port along the Bristol Channel. North Hill created a natural, sheltered harbour and early vessels with shallow keels would rest in the inland lagoon and bay. The very ground you are standing on now would have been this lagoon, fed by streams which flowed through what is now the town. The lagoon favoured shallow keeled vessels such as the Currach, which was built of wicker and hide. Common materials easily found close at hand, no matter where you beached your vessel. Currachs were capable of oceanic voyages; they could be up to 60ft long with a beam of 15ft and quite versatile in these waters.
Minehead's name is thought to come from the Welsh for hill or mountain written 'Mynydd' though there are early records of Mynheafdon (1046), Maneheve (1086), Menehewed and Menedun (1225), all contain elements of Welsh and old English words for hill. Today our links with Wales are predominantly land based but historically families working on the waters here at Minehead would have had strong links with the Irish and Welsh ports.
Minehead's name is thought to come from the Welsh for hill or mountain written 'Mynydd' though there are early records of Mynheafdon (1046), Maneheve (1086), Menehewed and Menedun (1225), all contain elements of Welsh and old English words for hill. Today our links with Wales are predominantly land based but historically families working on the waters here at Minehead would have had strong links with the Irish and Welsh ports.
Directions - Walk on to Blenheim Avenue through the main gate and turn right and cross to the birthplace of Arthur C Clarke - stop outside the property with the blue plaque. Note - you can refresh this page whenever the distance counter gets a little sleepy or use the 'help' button on the bar below.