Steve's World Blog Information and articles on cities, towns and villages around the world.

March 4, 2011

Minehead and the Exmoor National Park

Filed under: England,Holidays,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , , , — needahand @ 4:13 pm

A coastal town and civil parish located on the edge of the Exmoor National Park, in Somerset, Minehead has a population of just over 10,000 and a history stretching back to the Iron Age. Perhaps best known as the location of the famous Butlins Holiday Camp, which opened its doors in 1962, and is still popular today, Minehead has also been a significant port over the centuries, though has lost most of this trade over the last hundred years or so. A pretty seaside town, Minehead attracts many tourists, especially during the summer months, when the weather is at its best, it has the usual seafront promenade, lined with cafes, amusement arcades and guest houses. Ideal as a base for touring the Exmoor National Park, Minehead offers the opportunity for enjoying a traditional seaside holiday, whilst being close to areas of great natural beauty. Within the Exmoor National Park are numerous pretty little villages, which are a joy to visit, one of the closest, Dunster, is famous for its castle. Other nearby villages include Porlock, Luccombe and Tivington. Minehead is also the starting point of the longest countryside walking trail, the South West Coast Path, if you fancy an extremely long walk. The nearby coastline is craggy and treacherous, but also very picturesque, so be sure to enjoy some coastal walks while you are there.

Minehead Street Map.

And a map of Exmoor here: http://www.my-towns.co.uk/exmoor-national-park.html

June 25, 2010

Clacton on Sea Essex

Filed under: England,History,Holidays,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 10:43 am
Clacton on Sea Essex

Clacton on Sea Essex

One of Essex’s popular coastal resorts, Clacton on Sea as a town was only established in 1871, when a railway engineer purchased some land and built Clacton Pier as a docking point for the Woolwich Steam Packet Company. The surrounding areas however, have been the site of human settlement since the time of the ancient Celts. A later Lord of the Manor of Great and Little Clacton, was none other than Henry VIII, who awarded himself the title after the execution of Thomas Cromwell (the former Lord). Clacton became a popular holiday destination in Victorian times and reached its zenith in the 1960’s, aided by the Butlins Holiday Camp, which had first opened in the resort in 1937. In recent years Clacton has fell into decline for various reasons, but not least the closing of Butlins Clacton in 1983. Still fairly popular for holidays and day trips, Clacton can get pretty busy when the weather is fine, and during the summer school holidays. At these times Clacton beach might remind those who remember, of its former heydays.

Clacton Street Map.

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