MINEHEAD

town (parish), West Somerset district, administrative and historic county of Somerset, England. The town owes its origin and growth to its harbour. Minehead was first incorporated in 1558. Its older buildings include St. Michael's Church (1450), the almshouses (1630), the old manor office, and the 17th-century cottages along Quay Street. The present harbour was built in 1616. Minehead's trade with the West Indies once thrived, but only coasting vessels now use the harbour. The main industry is tourism, although light industrynotably the production of footwear and electrical componentshas also been established. Pop. (1991) 9,158.