Four Walks From MineheadMINEHEAD TO SELWORTHY
Approx: 3½ Miles. Some uphill walking
Starting from Wellington Square, go up Park Street and take the road round to the left (Parkhouse Road), continue up the right side of the road past the Milbridge Church until you come to the entrance of the Parks Walk. This part of the walk is on the level through peaceful grassland, beautiful trees and there are seats to sit on and pass the time of day.
Go through the first park cross the road to the second park (public toilets here). Proceed along the path to the main road (Porlock A39). Cross to the entrance opposite. Here is a delightful duck pond on the left. At the end of the park turn right into the lane and go up to Bratton Lane. Turn left and follow the road down to the T Junction – follow the route signposted Hindon & Wydon Farms. You will pass Bratton Court Farm on the left, continue along the lane for about 300 yds. you will then see a signpost on the left marked ‘footpath to Selworthy’.
Go through the gate and walk up the field to the gate at the top. Go through this gate and turn immediately right and follow the path across the bottom of the field to the gate at the corner. This leads into a copse. Proceed through the copse to the field at the other end. Go along the top of the field. Below is Hindon Farm. At the other side of the field is a stile. Climb over this onto the road.
Follow the road to the right to Selworthy (this road is unsuitable for traffic but is used by farm vehicles). Along this road are views to the left over the valley and beyond to Dunkery Beacon. After walking a mile along the road you will see Selworthy Church which is white against the green of the trees. This beautiful church is a peaceful place to visit.
Beyond the church there is the entrance to Selworthy Green and its charming thatched cottages, National Trust Shop and Periwinkle Tea Rooms which are open during the season.
From Selworthy there are many signposted footpaths to Allerford, Bossington, Porlock, Hurlstone Point, or return to Minehead via North Hill.
For those who would prefer to return by the comfort of a bus, follow the road down to the main road, A39, where there is a bus shelter. See timetable Porlock-Minehead. This stop is known as Budleigh Hill. Service 38 or 300.
Image supplied by kind permission of Somerset Tourism,Somerset County Council
MINEHEAD TO DUNSTER VIA HOPCOTT & GRABBIST
Approx: 3¾ miles or 6½ with return
Start from Wellington Square. Take the narrow road to the right of the Wellington Hotel. This leads to Bampton Street. Many of the houses are old and some of them still have evidence of archways through which carriages were driven. It is in this street that the great fire of Minehead started in 1791 in the mill where the miller accidentally caught alight a barrel of pitch, thereby destroying some seventy houses.
Proceed up Bampton Street, take the fourth turning on the right, Paganel Road, keeping on the left side. Pass Hopcott Close. Immediately after this is a cycle lane, this will take you through to the main Hopcott Road – take care crossing, traffic can come up over the hill very fast.
Go up the hill (quite a steep climb). Plenty of time to stop and look back to admire the view over North Hill.
At the top of the hill take the footpath straight ahead until you get to the beech trees where the path divides. Follow the path to the right up to the top where you will come onto the main track. Take the left track signposted to Dunster – this goes through the woods. Walk for about ¼ mile, then come out onto open moorland. Continue on the main track, you will see Minehead and North Hill to your left. To the right and back a view up the valley to Dunkery Beacon. It is sometimes possible to see the deer here, if one is very quiet.
Follow the track down into the trees where you will see a seat and a narrow path down to Dunster on your right. This comes out by the cemetery. Pass the cemetery on your right and go down the steps into West Close. The school is on your left. You come into St George’s Street at the bottom. It is possible to return to Minehead by going left here and taking the old road up past the Butter Cross, on your right. Continue along the road back into Alcombe past St Michael’s Church and out onto the main road and turn left back into town.
However, Dunster is a lovely medieval village to explore. There is the Castle and grounds, the Dovecote, Parish Gardens, St George’s Church, the Watermill and many small shops. Plenty of places to take refreshment.
Return by bus from the village or go down to the main road and get the bus from Dunster Steeep. Please see West Somerset Bus Time Table, service 39 or 28.
Image supplied by kind permission of Somerset Tourism,Somerset County Council
MINEHEAD TO DUNSTER VIA THE BEACH
Approx: 2½ Miles or 5 miles with return. Flat walk.
Walk along the sea front past Somerwest World to the end of the road. Take the footpath to the left of the golf club house, signposted to Dunster Beach. Continue along the edge of the golf course on the footpath. Please be aware of golfers playing and fast flying golf balls. At the end you will see 2 old stone pillboxes. After the second one is the entrance to Dunster Beach Chalets. Turn right and follow the path (stream on your left) round the green, through the trees until you come to the bridge. Cross this and go through the gate into the wired off path. This will take you up past the old manor house and on to the road.  You will come to Dunster Station on the left. Continue up the road to the main A39.
Turn left and go through the underpass to get up to Dunster, or catch the bus back to Minehead. See the West Somerset Bus Time Table, service 39 or 28.
This walk can be extended from Dunster Beach Chalets along the beach to Blue Anchor or if the tide is out carry on to Watchet.
Please note tide times. Return by bus or the Steam Railway during the months of April to October.
Image supplied by kind permission of Somerset Tourism,Somerset County Council
MINEHEAD TO NORTH HILL CIRCULAR WALK
Approx: 4 miles. Some steep uphill walking
Starting from Wellington Square, go up Park Street and take the road round to the left, Parkhouse Road, and continue up the right side of the road past the Millbridge Church to the entrance of the Parks Walk. Go through the first park then turn right into Periton Lane. Go up to the main road.
Cross the road and go up the steps opposite, at the top walk about 50 yards to the right and then take the path to the left going through the woods. There are seats along here.
Take the second turning to the right and continue up hill over the open moorland, at the top the path divides left and right by Peggy’s Path (the right turn takes you to Hill Road).  Take the left turn and continue up past the pumping station on your left, the path then bears right and comes to within 50 yards of the road, take the left track with two stones, this runs parallel to Hill Road. The views from here are well worth stopping for.
The path finishes at the end of the road, cross here to the concrete track on the opposite side, following the path straight ahead down to the trees where there is an old concrete blockhouse, turn right and follow the track down, first over open moorland with views across the sea to Wales, then leading into the woods. Follow the main track coming out onto North Hill Road. Northmoor Cottage is on the left, continue down the hill bearing left into Beacon Road: at the bottom cross the road to join the zigzag path which is signposted to the Seafront. The Harbour is to the left and the town to the right.
Image supplied by kind permission of Somerset Tourism,Somerset County Council
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