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Can anyone recommend any pubs or cafes within a short drive from Minehead? Previous threads suggest that Minehead itself should probably be avoided? Dunster and Porlock look nice but is there anywhere a bit more off the beaten track. The pubs need to be child friendly if possible. Oh, beach and hill/moor recommendations would also be appreciated (I haven’t been to the area since I was a kid). Thank you!
No idea about pubs but the riding round there is awesome.
Not a pub but a farm that does a lovely wood fired pizza. From what I remember, it may be run by another forumite and his wife.
Horner Farm.
Check their Facebook page for updates.
Top ship (Porlock) Bottom ship (Porlock weir) both very good & regular end of our Exmoor ride hostelries.
If you want to blow the kids minds, the Hairydog on the main drag through Minehead has a massive adventure area in the beer garden (the mixed grill is also very good)
As kids, one of the highlights was being driven up the slightly insane Porlock Hill and over to Lynton/Lynmouth for a ride on the cliff railway, the Glen Lyn Gorge (watch out for the fire hose water jets when you get to the bottom of Countisbury Hill) and if you carry on the other side of Lynton, the Valley of the Rocks is pretty impressive for a walk.
Burrowhayse Campsite near Porlock also does horse riding and you can lead your kids on a pony (if they've started doing rides again, the horses got last summer off)
Dunster castle is worth a visit. (National Trust)
Lynmouth to Waters meet
(Edit That’s it Valley of the rocks.) nice walk depending on age of kids it’s relatively flat. (Also a Cafe at the top.) The coastal path round there is quite undulating with kids parts could be tough.
Lutterall arms is worth a visit.
Doon Valley is nice.
Kitnors tearoom at Bossington is worth a visit.
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2021/may/20/10-of-the-best-somerset-pubs-with-beer-gardens-or-outdoor-space Guardian recsOne at the foot of the Quantocks recommended therein, went there years ago
Ziang’s Thai takeaway in Porlock Weir is fabulous. They have a seating area opposite their shack near the water.
That all sounds great. Thank you.
Horner tea rooms near Porlock does superb cream teas (and other food obvs) in a big garden. Regular haunt of ours when down there.
The valley of rocks just outside Lynton is well worth a visit too.
We stayed in a cottage near Blue Anchor a couple of years back. Had a couple of nice meals in Watchet, one a cafe, one a pub, but couldn't put a name to them now. The bay east of Watchet (Helwell/Doniford, you can walk up over the headland from town or drive to Doniford) is one of the easiest fossil hunting locations in the UK. Ammonites the size of BMX wheels by the dozen embedded in the rock platforms and lots of smaller stuff to pick up too.
Tropiquaria is good, if it's open.
The bay east of Watchet (Helwell/Doniford, you can walk up over the headland from town or drive to Doniford) is one of the easiest fossil hunting locations in the UK.
The kids are experienced fossil hunters and so that sounds like it could be a fantastic afternoon in the sun...particularly if followed by a cream tea or pint of cider.
The Forresters in Dunster and The Royal Oak in Luxbourough are both worthy of a visit.
Porlock Weir has/had an awesome little family seaquarium with dedicated owners keen to share an extensive knowledge of sealife in the area.
I was prepared to be underwhelmed yet was actually fascinated and would visit again.
* edit sorry seems like it has since closed.
Above Porlock Weir/harbour is a tiny church in the woods, and ancient tumuli/burial mounds
If you're actually in Minehead, then the old ship aground is pretty good. Other decent local pubs would the blue ball at Countisbury out towards Lynton. Good walking from there. Also the staghunters at brendon and the Rockford Inn, both in Doone valley. Again lots of walks or mtbing from there
If you go to Horner Tea Rooms, you can walk up the river opposite for as far as you want, the further you go the more interesting the path gets... You can also cross over and come back on the other side to the Tea Rooms.
Horner tea rooms could easily be set in Royston Vasey; very odd and uncomfortable. The Hairy Dog looks as though it would be an awful place to eat in, but it was surprisingly good. Food was great and the staff friendly. But no, there isn't a huge choice in the town it must be said.
Of course Minehead town closes at about 7pm...
Pebbles Tavern in Watchet if you like your cider