New Esplanade Shelters Unveiled on Minehead Seafront

We were very pleased to unveil two brand new shelters on Minehead’s Esplanade. Construction began on the shelters in November, with the shelters officially opening to the public last week.

The two new shelters, designed by Cerys Dehaini of Squirrels Architecture, provide much-needed sheltered seating space for visitors and the community to enjoy the esplanade. The structures have also been designed to cater for parents whose children are making use of the adjoining play area.

The structures were designed specifically with Minehead in mind and as such, have been positioned to provide protection from the elements while ensuring beautiful views out to the iconic North Hill and Bristol Channel.
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With a focus on environmental sustainability, the team made use of locally sourced resources and recycled materials, such as Capton stone from a local Williton-based quarry. Rustic lock gates from the Kennet and Avon canal between Bath and London have been repurposed to provide unique seating inside and outside the shelters.

With accessibility in mind, the previously raised flooring has been lowered to ensure the new structures can be used by all members of the community.
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In addition, poems from the 2023 Minehead Poetry Competition, which celebrates Minehead and the surrounding area, will be featured inside the shelters.

Jim Whittaker, Trustee of MCDT said, “We were keen to create something that wasn’t only useful and effective but also reflective of the rich heritage of our area and its people. Local, natural materials, clever and inspiring design, and local, skilled contractors to make it happen. We hope that the shelters provide comfort and enjoyment for our community and visitors. Huge thanks to Squirrels Architecture, HTSteel and Walker-Blair Building for such a great piece of work”.

The shelters were funded by Hinkley Point C Community Impact Mitigation Fund and the Coastal Communities Fund, with support from Somerset Council.