Minehead actually takes its name from North Hill: 'mynydd' in Welsh passed into Old English as 'myned' which means hill or mountain. North Hill rises above the town, 900 feet from the sea. It can be seen for miles around.
The National Park Authority acquired North Hill in 1963 to protect it from being covered with trees and for the enjoyment of the public. It contains prehistoric Barrows, Cairns, scattered flints, and the remains of medieval farms and fields.
All was pasture and heath until the 1880s, when the Luttrells of Dunster Castle planted exotic and native trees along their drive to Moor Wood.
From 1890 to World War I, the hill was used for military volunteer camps and the camp reservoir remains. British, Canadian and American troops used the whole ridge for tank training between 1942 and 1945.
Cache has been placed with the kind permission from the Exmoor National Park Authority