Find and book the perfect apartment or holiday home near the seaside and Butlins in Minehead
Visit Minehead: the town of Butlins!
A bustling little seaside town on the edge of Exmoor in Somerset, Minehead is home to everything you could ask for from a seaside break: a long sandy beach, pretty harbour, busy highstreets full of boutique shops, and plenty of cafes to sit in and enjoy the sunshine. The town has been around for centuries – which explains the number of ancient, vintage, classically styled holiday apartment rentals to choose from.
Best Time to Visit Minehead
Given that Minehead is in the UK, there are certain times of the year when the weather is simply too cold and wet to be enjoyed by most travellers – especially if you're someone who only really enjoys exploring the seaside when it's warmer. With that in mind, the best times to visit are June through August for the really great weather, high temperatures with a cooling sea breeze, and only moderate chances of rain. If you want to avoid the school holidays and screaming children, then September through to November can also be a good time to visit. It's a little bit cooler, but it's still the main tourist season so everything is open – you just get to avoid the main tourist season.
How to get to Minehead
Travelling can be stressful at the best of times, but when you're headed down to Minehead, the home of Butlins, the likelihood is you're also traveling with a bunch of kids in tow, making the whole ordeal that much more stressful. However, getting to Minehead is actually fairly easy. For residents in the UK, the little seaside town is only an hour and 45 minutes away from Bristol, and 3 hours away from Birmingham, making it pretty accessible for near on the whole country – if you don't mind a bit of a longer drive. If the drive does bother you, then you can get a direct train straight into Taunton from London, Swindon, Bristol, and Cardiff (among others) and then catch the 28 Bus Service straight into town. For anyone coming from further afield, just fly straight into Bristol Airport and then hop on a train to Taunton or hire a rental car and drive down the scenic route.
Where to Stay in Minehead
The Old Sweet Shop
Once the town's old-fashioned sweet shop (hence the name), this quaint little cottage has since been turned into boutique holiday accommodation, with space for up to 8 guests. The holiday cottage can be found in the quietest – and most aesthetically pleasing location in Minehead thanks to its traditionally thatched cottages, rolling hills, and winding country lanes - the perfect setting for the 17th century cottage.
The Beach Hotel
The Beach Hotel is set in probably the best location in Minehead. Whether you're looking for an action-packed stay, or a relaxing seaside break, you're in the right spot. With the beach right on the doorstep of this seaside hotel accommodation in Minehead, you can enjoy the exquisite views from the contemporary comfort of your bedroom.
Candlelight B&B
This quaint little B&B rental can be found right near the main train station for Minehead, just a short walk from the town centre and the sea front. The beautiful and spacious Victorian house is the perfect stetting whether you're just looking to stay for a night, or a week – you'll find the right room to suit your stay.
What to do in Minehead
Butlins
The famous holiday camp was first opened in 1962, originally known as Butlin's Minehead until the name was changed to Somerwest World in 1987, before finally becoming Butlins Minehead Resort in 1999. The original Butlins holiday camp, it was the camp where all the tried and tested Butlins entertainment programmes took place, now boasting: Butlins Redcoats, a funfair, a ballroom, a boating lake, tennis courts, a sports field, table tennis, amusement arcades, a theatre, shops and even a miniature railway.
Visit Minehead beach
This wide, sandy beach is a hit among families, couples, and anyone with a dog. Basically, just about anyone can enjoy the bright yellow sand, whether you're heading down with buckets and spades, looking for some water sports, or just wanting a nice, relaxing walk along the sea front.
Play golf
Right along the beach is Minehead's very own golf course: the Minehead and West Somerset Golf Club. Founded in 1882, it's one of the oldest golf clubs in the UK, open all year round with some of the best greens you can find. For anyone looking to combine a stroll along the beach with a round of golf or two, this is the place for you.
Blenheim Gardens
Blenheim Gardens makes up about 6 acres of land, all laid out originally in the 1920s and constantly developing and evolving to the magical landscape you can see today. With beautiful flower borders, ice cream, a cute cafe, and plenty of spots for a good afternoon, summer picnic, it's one of the nicest ways to spend a day while in Minehead. If you happen to be visiting in July or August, you'll often find musical events taking place offering modern concerts on Saturday, and traditional brass bands on Sunday.
West Somerset Railway
Definitely one for a nostalgic traveller, the West Somerset Railway is the longest heritage line in the UK, spanning 20 miles through the spectacular countryside between Minehead and Bishops St. Lydeard.
Minehead Farmers Market
Every Friday, between 8:30 and 2pm, the Minehead Famers Market takes place in the town's main square. Here, you can explore local suppliers of pastries, bread, fresh fruit and vegetables, gourmet, sweets, and more. It's a fun way to spend a morning, and it's the best chance to stock up that pretty empty kitchen in your self-catered holiday cottage.