Parks and Open Spaces

Blenheim Gardens

The foundation of Blenheim Gardens stretches back to the early 1900s. The 1902 Ordnance Survey map depicts the site as several fields, likely used for grazing, polo training, or even community allotments. In 1911, Alexander Fownes Luttrell donated this land to the people of Minehead, under the condition that it remain an undeveloped public open space. The Magar family of Northfield House contributed a substantial monetary gift which enabled the installation of pathways, planting beds and trees to transform it from meadowland to formal gardens.
The gardens were formally laid out by landscape gardener Mr E. White and officially opened in March 1925. The layout has remained largely unchanged since that time and in May 2025, ownership of Blenheim Gardens was formally devolved from Somerset Council to Minehead Town Council. This transfer ensures local control and continued stewardship of the space for the benefit of the community.
Blenheim Gardens is beloved by locals and visitors alike. For many years, weekend brass band performances played to audiences seated on hired wooden deck chairs. Today, Minehead Town Council continues this tradition, hosting free concerts from April through early September. These now include a diverse line up of music appealing to all ages. A dedicated team of volunteers works tirelessly alongside our Amenities Team to keep these gardens looking beautiful throughout the year. Their commitment and passion bring seasonal colour and charm to the heart of Minehead, making these spaces a joy for residents and visitors alike.
If you’d like to learn more about this fantastic volunteer group or are interested in joining them to help make a visible difference in your community, we’d love to hear from you. Every helping hand counts, and together we can keep Blenheim blooming.
Distinctive Features● Bandstand & café: Originally installed in 1925, the bandstand was later converted into a café in the 1960s. A new bandstand, rumoured to have been funded by Mr Billy Butlin, stands at the centre today.● Historic Trees: An original row of English elms marked the old fields’ boundaries until Dutch elm disease struck in the 1970s. Their raised banks remain, now gracefully planted with other mature trees. ● Special Memorials: Behind the gardens lies the Burma Star Memorial Garden, dedicated to the Somerset Branch of the Burma Star Association. The memorial was lovingly restored in 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. ● Dennis Holmes Bed: Added in 1993 in honour of the long-serving parks superintendent Dennis Holmes, this semi-circular bed showcases a vibrant selection of roses and features the gardens’ flagpole, which has proudly flown the Keep Britain Tidy Green Flag, the national benchmark for beautifully maintained spaces, since 2020.● Walter Sage Oak: A mighty Quercus robur near the “windy corner” remains as a living tribute to the garden’s original superintendent, Walter Sage.
Facilities & Accessibility● 2.5 hectare (6-acre) park● Level terrain with tarmac paths—highly accessible● Well-maintained flower beds, shrubs, and wildflower displays● Public shelter, toilets and ample seating● 18-hole putting green● Adjacent 62-space car park accessible from North Road
Opening HoursSummer (1st April - 30th September)● Open daily from 8:00 AM until 7 PM.Winter (1st October - 31st March)● Open daily from 8:00 AM until 7 PM.

The Parks (Parks Walk, Woodcombe and Bratton)

Discover a beautiful green corridor that blends history and nature, linking Minehead to its northern hillsides. Once part of a 13th-century deer park belonging to Minehead’s medieval manor and the Luttrell family, the land was originally used for grazing and wildlife management before becoming open countryside.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Minehead Urban District Council created The Parks Walk as a peaceful route for residents. Today, the walk follows the Bratton Stream from Parkhouse Road, crossing Periton Lane and connecting Cuckoo Meadow Estate through Woodcombe, linking pedestrians to the cemetery and onward to Bratton via Bratton Walk.
All sections are united by the slow-flowing brook that once served meadowlands, now forming the natural heart of this scenic trail. Close to the town yet wonderfully secluded, the walk offers seasonal delights, from vibrant summer flowers to stunning autumn foliage, making it a favourite for nature lovers and an important link for local residents.

Marsh Common & The Lagoons

Marsh Common and the adjoining Lagoons are more than just open spaces, they’re a vital part of Minehead’s flood protection system, a thriving wildlife sanctuary and a popular spot for recreation.
Starting at the bottom of Marshfield Road, Marsh Common opens into a wide, welcoming space that links Alcombe to the industrial estate and the seafront. It’s a popular spot for dog walkers and anyone seeking a peaceful stroll. Recent rewilding projects have added character and biodiversity, creating an engaging network of grassy paths and vibrant habitat areas. Each autumn, the common transforms into the lively setting for Minehead’s annual funfair, bringing a burst of colour and energy and attracting a whole new crowd.
Also featuring the Rose Garden, this beautifully maintained formal feature established in 2000, provides a striking contrast to the surrounding natural landscape.
Across the road, the Lagoons continue the theme of nature and resilience. These areas combine rewilded spaces with essential flood attenuation ponds, some wet, some dry depending on the season. The mix of rhynes and ponds supports a diverse range of wildlife and local volunteers regularly monitor species such as the reed warbler.
Whether you’re exploring the winding paths, enjoying seasonal wildflowers, or simply taking in the views, Marsh Common and the Lagoons offer a unique blend of functionality and beauty.

Alcombe Common

Wootton Ridge, near Minehead and within the Exmoor National Park, is a diverse landscape encompassing Wootton Common, Hopcott Common, Alcombe Common, and parts of Grabbist Hill and the Giant's Chair. This unique area features hilltops covered in heathland, scrub, and bracken, with lower slopes adorned by coniferous woodland.
A significant portion of Wootton Ridge, approximately one-third, is Alcombe Common, owned by Minehead Town Council. This area holds particular ecological importance as one of the few places in the UK where the rare heath fritillary butterfly can be observed.
Recognising the area's significance, the Butterfly Conservation Society initiated a collaborative effort in 2023. They brought together all landowners to develop a comprehensive management plan for the entire ridge, aiming to enhance habitat quality through cohesive maintenance across various land parcels. After a thorough consultation period with both landowners, site users and members of the public, a management plan was produced in early 2024.
Much of the common falls within the Dunster Park and Heathlands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), necessitating Natural England's approval for any maintenance work. To support these conservation efforts, a Higher Tier Stewardship agreement with The Rural Payments Agency provides funding of up to £11,000 annually for Minehead Town Council to conduct maintenance in line with the newly created management plan.
This coordinated effort promotes the conservation and improvement of this critical ecosystem, striking a balance between protecting rare species such as the heath fritillary butterfly, implementing sustainable land management practices, and accommodating the needs of various user groups who enjoy the area.
To learn more about the specific strategies and goals for Wootton Ridge, you can view the full management plan below.
Wootton ridge Management Plan

Ellicombe Open Space

Ellicombe Open Space sits at the main gateway to Minehead from the A39 and straddles the invisible parish boundary between Minehead and Dunster. Owned and maintained by Minehead Town Council since its transfer from Somerset Council in May 2025, this large green area is a popular spot for dog walkers, offering a secure, level space for exercise.
In 2025, the town’s rewilding project was extended to Ellicombe, introducing sweeping areas of uncut grass interlaced with gently curving pathways. These natural features have added character and biodiversity, transforming the site into an inviting space for exploration and wildlife habitat creation.
This site has previously been suggested for development, ranging from housing to hotels and even swimming pools. However, since devolution and in recognition of its natural value, Ellicombe Open Space has been formally designated as protected green space, safeguarding it from development in perpetuity.

Wellington Square

Regarded as Minehead’s town square, Wellington Square sits proudly at the junction of Friday Street and The Parade. Devolved to Minehead Town Council in 2023, this space is a focal point for community life throughout the year. In summer, it bursts with colour thanks to vibrant bedding displays and hanging baskets, while in winter it becomes the heart of the town’s festive celebrations, featuring the Christmas tree and seasonal lights.
The historic Queen Anne statue, relocated here in the late 19th century, has stood as a landmark ever since. Wellington Square also plays an important role in local traditions and commemorations, hosting the two-minute silence and service on Remembrance Sunday and coming alive each May Day with the rhythmic drums of the iconic Hobby Horse procession.
With several benches, the square is an ideal meeting point. A place to pause, relax and watch the bustle of Minehead life unfold.