North Hill rises above the town, 900 feet from the sea. It can be seen for miles around, and is just as distinctive a landmark today as it was before the town came into existence. Minehead actually takes its name from North Hill: 'mynydd' in Welsh passed into Old English as 'myned', which means hill or mountain. Two ancient farms on the upper slopes of North Hill are still known as East and West Myne. The church that dominates the hillside is St Michael's, parts of which date back to the 14th century. From its forecourt, it offers an amazing view of Minehead old and new.
The church is linked to the lower town by one of Minehead's most famous landmarks - a steep footpath from the Esplanade called Church Steps. Other landmarks on North Hill include the War Memorial, which commemorates those from Minehead who lost their lives in the World Wars, and Elgin Towers. The Towers were built in 1887 to the order of Kennedy Cooke, a wealthy Scottish confectioner, and are believed to a copy of the famous Elgin Towers in Scotland. In the distance, you will see the edge of Exmoor National Park. 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. All was pasture and health until the 1880s, when the Luttrells of Dunster Castle planted exotic and native trees along their drive to Moor Wood. From 1890 to World War I, the hill was used for military volunteer camps and the camp reservoir remains. British, Canadian and American troops used the whole ridge for tank training between 1942 and 1945. If you look very closely, you might see concrete roads and the grassy mounds of gun emplacements.
The site and 600 unexploded shells were cleared in 1946, retaining the military road along the ridge as a scenic drive. The Minehead Meander continues along The Avenue towards the town centre. On either side of the road, you will see numerous small shops and guest houses, which give the town centre a unique atmosphere. Shoppers described Minehead in recent research as having a homely and individual High Street. Continue walking up the right-hand side of The Avenue until you reach the Town Hall. | 
Introduction