Explore a wide sandy beach perfect for sandcastles, rock pooling, and water sports with stunning views across the Bristol Channel to Wales.

Minehead Beach, known as The Strand, is a wide expanse of sandy shoreline with areas of shingle and abundant rock pools, making it an ideal destination for families. The beach becomes particularly appealing at low tide when the expansive sand is perfect for beach games, sandcastle building, and fossil hunting among the nearby cliffs. With one of the world's second-highest tidal reaches, the beach offers unique opportunities for exploration and discovery. The beach is framed by North Hill, providing delightful views over the Bristol Channel to Wales and along the Exmoor coastline. Minehead is one of Somerset's busiest holiday resorts with a lively atmosphere, enhanced by the Butlin's holiday camp and numerous hotels along the promenade. The beach marks the starting point for the South West Coast Path, which runs all the way to Poole in Dorset via Land's End in Cornwall. Families will find a café on the beachfront, deckchair and windbreaker hire, and easy access to the town centre with shops and restaurants nearby. The beach is wheelchair accessible and pushchair-friendly. Activities include swimming, bathing, rock pooling, kite surfing, windsurfing, and visits to local amusement arcades. While there is no lifeguard service, the vast expanse of sand means the beach is less crowded than many other coastal destinations despite its popularity.

Venue Details

What this place offers

Toilets

Public transport nearby

Accessible toilets

Free WiFi

Baby changing facilities

Food available

On-site parking

🐕Dog-friendly

Parking nearby

Pushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

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Tammy Binnie

a month ago

We popped over for a night stroll at the beach from Butlins. The kids enjoyed playing on the beach and splashing in the waves. It's such a beautiful beach and with the sunset, it looked even more beautiful!! There were some people swimming in the sea too and they said it was absolutely lovely.

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Stephen o'dowd

a month ago

Only visited the sea front.lovely sandy beach with butlins right behind.

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Scott Latham

a month ago

Several nice days out at this traditional beach - plenty of space, and great that the beach is quite shallow gradient so the kids could go into the sea without it getting too deep for them too quickly. Tide goes out a very long way so at low tide the sea is miles away though. Facilities are reasonable though just one set of toilets.

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Bill Marshall

3 months ago

Best sun ever 32c on May bank holiday. No wind. It it was always like this no one would need go anywhere else. Tides were wrong for us or else 5 stars.

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Hug Dealer

a year ago

Great British beach with golden sand for sandcastles and all the class British holiday treats like fish and chips, ice cream, and crazy golf nearby. 5 -10 min walk to town. Parking next to beach. Tide seems be miles out, but beautiful coastline.

Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026