WATCHET, WEST SOMERSET

Watchet is a small coastal town in West Somerset on the southern shores of the Bristol Channel. To the west is Exmoor National Park, to the east are the Quantock Hills an area of outstanding natural beauty and to the south are the Brendon Hills. Close to Minehead and 16 miles to Bridgwater and 18 miles to Taunton, the hub of the town is the harbour and marina area although there are streets full of character to explore.

Watchet has been a harbour for more than a 1000 years. Today the marina which opened in 2001 is the focal point with permanent and visitor berths available. Chartered fishing trips can be booked from the harbour or west pier and the inner harbour can be used for fishing and shrimping. Helwell Bay and West Beach are both close to the town and are rich in fossils and rock pools containing sea anemones, limpets, and crabs.

The Watchet Heritage Trail takes a trip back in history and gives you a chance to explore Watchet's fascinating past as you take a walk through the town from The Esplanade towards the railway and on to the packhorse bridge and 17th-century thatched cottages also taking in Manor Mill, Mill Pond and Yankee Jack's cottage.

The 18th-century poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge visited Watchet frequently while he lived in Nether stowey. It is believed that he wrote his famous poem 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' whilst staying in Watchet and a seven-foot-high bronze statue commemorates this link. The Coleridge way walk follows in the poets footsteps for 36 miles.

The West Somerset Steam Railway-the longest steam railway in Britain, over 20 miles long-has a popular station in Watchet. The delightfully preserved Victorian station is one of ten stations restored and maintained by volunteers who run the trains from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead.

There are some good local walks which include the Old Mineral Railway Line from Watchet to Washford which was once used to bring iron ore from the hills to Watchet to be shipped to Wales. The path of the railway can be followed on foot from The Esplanade past the paper mill and into countryside to Washford. Coastal walks take you west towards Blue Anchor Bay taking in the Alabaster Cliffs and east through Helwell Bay and the fossil beaches to the village of Kilve.  

How to find us:

On leaving the M5 at junction 23 Bridgwater follow the A39 signed Minehead. After passing the town of Williton turn right at Tropiquaria B3190 signposted Watchet. Once in Watchet follow Swain Street, opposite the Post Office is Esplanade Lane The Cottage is the last house on the right.

Or

On leaving the M5 at Junction 25 Taunton follow A358 signed Minehead. At the town of  Williton join the A39 towards Minehead, at Tropiquaria turn right B3190 signposted Watchet. Once in Watchet follow Swain Street, opposite the Post Office is Esplanade Lane The Cottage is the last house on the right.

The Cottage is available from 4pm on arrival day until 10am on departure date. Weeks run Friday to Friday.

The Cottage is NO SMOKING.