English Heritage sites near Minehead Parish
DUNSTER BUTTER CROSS
2 miles from Minehead Parish
Transplanted stump of a medieval stone cross that was once a meeting place for people to bring and sell their own butter. Nearby attractions include Cleeve Abbey.
DUNSTER, YARN MARKET
2 miles from Minehead Parish
Fine 17th century timber-framed octagonal market hall that is a monument to Dunster's once-flourishing cloth trade.
DUNSTER GALLOX BRIDGE
2 miles from Minehead Parish
This ancient stone bridge - originally 'gallows bridge' - once carried packhorses bringing fleeces to Dunster market and is evidence of Dunster's once important role in the wool trade.
CLEEVE ABBEY
6 miles from Minehead Parish
With possibly the finest cloister buildings in England, visitors can get a glimpse of monastic life 800 years ago. 15th century refectory with glorious angel roof and 13th century heraldic tiles.
DAWS CASTLE
6 miles from Minehead Parish
Daws Castle is a clifftop fortress, which was founded by King Alfred to defend the people of Watchet against Viking attacks.
MEARE FISH HOUSE
30 miles from Minehead Parish
The only surviving monastic fishery building in England, this housed the Abbot of Glastonbury's water bailiff and provided facilities for fish-salting and drying.
Churches in Minehead Parish
St Andrew
Wellington Square
Minehead
(01643) 818904
St Andrew's is our town centre church. It stands in the heart of Minehead's retail and business community, at the top of The Parade, behind Wellington Square, and beside the Duke of Wellington Hotel.
The building provides full access for people with disabilities.
At St Andrew's we enjoy a wide range of Christian worship, nurture, fellowship and a space within which to be still and know God's presence.
The building is a fine example of George Street's design. Consecrated in 1880, it was one of his last churches with excellent acoustics and a light, open feel. In 2004 the building was enhanced with the provision of meeting rooms, a kitchen and toilets (accessible to wheelchair users and with baby-changing facilities). A raised platform at the 'front' of the nave provides flexible space that is used for drama, a nave altar, or concert artists. The church enjoys a wide range of community uses, and we are now looking at further ways to expand our facilities.
St Michael
St Michael's Road
Minehead
(01643) 818904
St Michael's church stands high above the town of Minehead. Illuminated at night, it still guides people home - as it did mariners in centuries past. It is our parish church and the focus for major festival celebrations. We use it in conjunction with our two other churches - St Andrew's in the town centre, and St Peter's on the harbour - to serve our congregation with a broad menu of Anglican worship, from high ceremonial to spirit-led praise and all-age activity services.
St Michael's is a 14th century building with a 15th century tower. It boasts a fine rood screen and a ten-bell peal.
Re-ordered by the Victorians, and again in the 1970s, it is an atmospheric building which invites one to be still and know God's presence.
The Church is now open every day.
St Michael the Archangel, Alcombe
Church Street
Alcombe, Minehead
01643 709491
St Michael the Archangel was built in 1903 as a Chapel of ease to serve the growing population of Alcombe and is close to the boundary of Exmoor National Park. Historically part of the Parish of Dunster it became a distinct Parish in its own right in 1953. Since then significant reordering has resulted in the provision of a large meeting room, parish office, oratory, kitchen and toilet facilities. In the nave chairs have replaced pews, the choir area opened up and the altar moved to west facing. There is a lady chapel.
Every part of the building is used and offers a welcoming, accessible and flexible worship and community space. We serve the ever-growing community of Alcombe and the church is used by many community groups. The hall is available to rent.
Our tradition is inclusive modern Catholic and we continue to develop a variety of worship styles to ensure we cater for the widest response. There is a tradition of musical excellence here; music alternates between organ, keyboards, guitar and classical strings. Music styles include Iona, Taize, Celtic and traditional hymns.
We offer lunch, regularly, [Jan, Apr, Aug, Sept excepted] to the elderly or those living alone in the parish, giving the opportunity to partake of a simple meal and socialise with others. The West Somerset Food Cupboard, which is supported by churches and communities around West Somerset, is facilitated and administered from St Michael the Archangel. Since its inception to date over 11,000 boxes have been prepared and delivered to those in need and this number is growing.
Our church is usually open from early morning until late afternoon and offers daily prayers and a space to be still and contemplative. However, in light of Government guidance our activities have been reduced and open times restricted.
St Peter
Harbourside
Minehead
Taunton
(01643) 818904
Formerly a 17th century salt store, it was eventually converted to a fishermen's chapel and was dedicated as St Peter's in 1910. It retains close links with the fishermen and the nearby lifeboat station. Emerging from the Chapel onto the quay is always an energising experience - whether the tide is lapping at the harbour wall, or it has left the fishing and pleasure boats high and dry; whether the wind is squalling, or the moon is high over the distant Quantock Hills.
St Peter's is open for private prayer every day.
Pubs in Minehead Parish
Beach Hotel
Britannia Inn
1 Manor Road, Alcombe, TA24 6EH
(01643) 702384
britanniaalcombe.co.uk
Duke of Wellington
Wellington Square, Minehead, TA24 5NH
(01643) 701910
jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/...
Hairy Dog
32-34 The Avenue, Minehead, TA24 5AZ
(01643) 706317
thehairydog.co.uk
Kildare Lodge
Townend Road, Minehead, TA24 5RQ
(01643) 702009
kildarelodge.co.uk
Mambo
Minehead & District Social Club
North Road, Minehead, TA24 5QW
(01643) 702306
mineheadsocialclub.co.uk
Minehead & West Somerset Golf Club
Old Ship Aground
Quay Street, Minehead, TA24 5UL
(01643) 703516
theoldshipaground.com/
Quay Inn
Quay Street, Minehead, TA24 5UJ
(01643) 707323
thequayinnminehead.co.uk/
Queens Head Inn
Holloway Street, Minehead, TA24 5NR
(01643) 702940
queensheadminehead.co.uk
Royal British Legion Club
10 Bancks Street, Minehead, TA24 5DJ
(01643) 702271
branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/m...
