Things to do
Country Hikes
Beachside Suites are adjacent to Exmoor National Park. This is a wonderful area of countryside boasting many miles of footpaths and bridleways – just perfect for a day trip and a circular walk, or using public transport to climb the hills, so it is downhill all the way back! The choice is yours.
The landscape is very varied from heather and gorse covered open moorland to secluded intimate tree clad valleys, often with a fast flowing clear stream.
The medieval village surrounding Dunster Castle is within an hour’s walk and this can be combined with a return journey on the West Somerset Railway steam train from the nearby station or a short bus ride.
More information on walks in the Exmoor National Park:
Beachside Suites are wonderfully located at the beginning of the South West Coastal Path, Britain’s longest foot path, which runs for 630 miles around the South West Peninsular to Poole Harbour in Dorset. There are several circular routes from Beachside Suites to North Hill, which lead through ancient woodlands and along sea cliffs providing wonderful views over the Bristol Channel.
Off Road Biking
Exmoor National Park is home to many hundreds of miles of bridleways and a web of delightful peaceful country roads. These pass through many photogenic villages (Selworthy is particularly picturesque!) over acres of heather clad moors, through ancient woodland and bracing sea views.
There are biking routes for every skill level – starting close to Beachside Suites – from “green” easy, to “black” very challenging.
Medieval Dunster village with its imposing castle and quaint shops is less than three miles away, while Selworthy, with it’s thatched cottages and tea room is under four miles away – the choice is yours, but make sure to plan in a few cream teas on the way!
Cycle hire is possible from Channel Adventure based in Minehead. Bikes are subject to availability and it is advised to make an advance booking.
Horse Riding
Do you love riding? Is there nothing better than a pony and miles of moorland, or twisting secluded wooded valleys? Then Exmoor National Park is just the right place to be. At Beachside Suites, there are nearby stables for pony trekking for a memorable day out. The scenery is stunning, ranging from ancient woodland, to heather clad moors, picturesque villages and wide sea views.
To learn about the rare-breed Exmoor pony and its links with the Exmoor landscape, Exmoor Pony Centre is the place to visit, where ponies can also be ridden.
Fishing
Whether fishing from a hired boat or fishing from the beach, Minehead is the place to be.
Spring can offer: codling, thornback, small eyed, spotted and blonde rays, dogfish, bass and smoothounds.
Summer can offer: mullet, bass, smoothounds, dogfish, sole, conger, turbot, thornback, small eyed, spotted and blonde rays, pollock plus lots of mini species to have some fun with light rock fishing tactics.
Autumn and winter offers some of the best cod and codling fishing in the country, along with good catches of whiting over the Christmas and New Year period.
For the less energetic or younger guests, crabbing from the harbour is a must. Crab lines, nets and buckets are available from the fishing tackle shop at the harbour.