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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Minehead is the principal station on the West Somerset Railway, it is on the sea front of this busy little sea side resort, nearby is a Butlin's holiday camp which can cater for some 10,000 guests. Despite this the main traffic flow on the line is to Minehead in the morning back to Bishops Lydeard in the evening. The view of a passenger leaving the train at Minehead, North Hill, in effect the start of Exmoor, can be seen beyond the engine.
As you leave the station you can see North Hill in front of you.
St Michael's Church is part way up North Hill, even to get there is a challenge with the narrow road and hairpin bends.
Cross the road and this is the view along the beach towards North Hill and the Harbour.
Minehead Harbour nestles under North Hill at the end of Minehead beach, this view was taken from near where the paddle steamer Waverly and its companion vessel the Balmoral tie up when they visit.
If you look the other way along the beach Butlin's can be seen - the white structure in the distance is part of their site.
The white "tent" at Butlins intrudes on so many views such as this one from the Harbour.
Another view from the Harbour, this time showing Dunster Castle Hill in the near distance with the Quantocks behind.
A third view from the Harbour, this one shows the Quantock Hills across the bay.
Minehead, like many resorts, once had a pier. After it was removed during World War II this is all that remains, however there are moves afoot to rebuild it enabling boat trips and even ferries from South Wales to operate at all states of the tide. They can be seen again in this view from North Hill looking out over the harbour.
The Harbour is seen here from the path around North Hill.
Another view of Dunster, this time from North Hill.
This one shows just how steeply North Hill rises from the Harbour, not many gardens are above the house as these are.
The station as seen from the sea front, the carriage is a fixture, used as a buffet, alongside it you can glimpse 6024 King Edward I resting between days in service, serving as a magnet for passers by to look at. Another view of the frontage on to the main road along the seafront.
Minehead station is actually quite modest, almost hiding behind the ice cream and take away stalls.
Back on the station, a busy scene as the loco runs on to its train ready to return to Bishops Lydeard.
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This site was last updated 05-07-2006
Photos not otherwise credited are ©2001/2002 S G J Huddy. Other photos are included with permission of the copyright holders.