OVERVIEW

This run starts at Minehead Harbour and climbs the imposing North Hill, which rises above the town 900 feet from the sea. The first 2 miles of the climb are quite steep and then it levels off to a more gentle climb to Selworthy Beacon, where there are splendid views of Exmoor countryside. The run returns via Minehead's Old Town past the historic St. Michael's Church.

The route takes you through part of the Holnicote Estate, which is one of the largest and most diverse countryside properties owned by the National Trust. The run returns through Minehead's Higher Town, the old part of the town, built on North Hill. Minehead actually takes its name from North Hill: 'mynydd' in Welsh passed into Old English as 'myned', which means hill or
mountain. The church that dominates the
hillside is St Michael's, parts of which date back to the 14th century. The National Park Authority acquired North Hill in 1963 to protect it from being covered with trees and for enjoyment by the public. It contains prehistoric barrows, cairns, scattered flints, and remains of medieval farms and fields.

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