minehead cottage

La Mer, 2 Tides Reach
c/o Mrs Audrey Bowden
4 Tides Reach
The Harbour
Minehead
Somerset
TA24 5UL

tel/fax: (01643) 704405

"We are Audrey and Clive Bowden and we would like to welcome you to our website. La Mer is a terraced mews house overlooking Minehead Harbour with superb views along the coast both East and West. We have many regular guests who come every year for a variety of reasons; some are keen fishermen, some just can't resist a traditional 'seaside' holiday(!) and some are walkers and nature lovers (the Exmoor National Park is right on the doorstep and the South West Coast Path begins just along the road from us).
We live next door and are usually around should you need any help".

From the entrance hall stairs lead up to the first floor. Here there is a lounge with colour TV and dual aspect windows with views across the Bristol Channel to South Wales and East along the coast with the Quantock Hills in the distance.

Also on the first floor:- a well appointed kitchen with full size electric cooker, microwave, large fridge, table and chairs;
A double bedroom with views of the harbour and slipway. Adjoining modern bathroom with shower over bath.

On the second floor there is a twin bedded room and a large studio with twin (2'6") beds to the rear and a further lounge area to the front with adjoining balcony overlooking the sea with excellent views.

The cottage is very well appointed, carpeted throughout and all rooms have a sea view. All windows are double glazed making the cottage warm and cosy throughout the year. The two main bedrooms have basins with H & C water.

Private parking is adjacent to the property.

Lounge

First floor double bedroom

The studio and balcony

La Mer is just a 10 minute, level walk from the centre of Minehead. If you chose to drive there are plenty of convenient car parks. There is a very pleasant coastal walk nearby. If you are not a walker there are lots of seats around the harbour or you can just sit in the lounge or on the balcony at La Mer and watch the boats pass by. The Bristol Channel tides rise and fall up to 40 feet and there are usually a good number of boats in the harbour so there is always something going on.

Minehead is proud of its parks and gardens especially Blenheim Gardens (approx 1/4mile from La Mer). They provide a floral setting for Sunday Band concerts as well as a wider range of music on Saturday afternoons. The town has been very successful in the national Britain in Bloom competitions winning the "Best Small Town" trophy in 1995 and 1997.

minehead cottage - the harbour
View West along the seafront towards La Mer and harbour

The town centre is well worth discovering with many interesting shops in addition to the well known brand names. The tree lined Avenue leads from the centre to the seafront and Minehead's large sandy beach.
The seafront railway station is the terminus of the West Somerset Railway. Steam trains run 20 miles along the coast and past the Quantock Hills to Bishops Lydeard near Taunton. The countryside en-route is spectacular and a return journey is well worth a day out.

The Harbour is home to a number of fishing boats, pleasure craft and yachts. The old stone pier is the landing stage for Bristol Channel cruise ships 'MV Waverley' and 'MV Balmoral'. There are various regular day cruises throughout the summer (see the 'Events' pages of whatsonexmoor.com for details)

Sea fishing trips of 4 hours or all day operate throughout the year. These are for up to 12 people and all tackle and bait is included. Catches include decent sized cod, skate, dogfish, sea bass and mackerel. Prices are about £12 per person for a 4 hour trip.

These can also all be caught from the beach in front of La Mer.

For country lovers, the Exmoor National Park to the West and South of Minehead offers a multitude of activities including walking, riding and birdwatching. There are lots of quiet lanes and small unspoilt villages to explore with cream teas galore! Keep an eye open for the famous wild Exmoor Ponies and the red deer.

minehead cottage - Exmoor pony with foal