Planning a stay in Minehead often means weighing coastal views against easy access to Exmoor — and the Northfield Hotel delivers both from a hillside position near the seafront. This guide draws on verified guest data from multiple booking platforms and the hotel’s own site to give you a clear picture of the amenities, dining, and overall experience before you book.
Last checked: 2026-07-28
Free Parking: Yes · Indoor Pool: Yes · Sea Views: Yes · Garden Size: Nearly 2 acres
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-07-28.
Sources reviewed: official property website, Tripadvisor reviews, Booking.com listing, Hotels.com listing, Kayak listing, Expedia listing, Trivago profile, local tourism site.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent price verification was conducted for this review.
Northfield Hotel at a glance
- The hotel grounds lead directly onto Exmoor footpaths — a feature unique among town-centre Minehead hotels (Northfield Hotel official site).
- A heated indoor swimming pool is available to all guests, alongside a steam room and jacuzzi (Booking.com).
- Free self-parking is included for all guests, a practical advantage in a coastal town where parking can be limited (Kayak).
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | Northfield Road, Minehead, TA24 5PU, United Kingdom |
| Star rating | 3-star |
| Indoor pool | Yes, heated |
| Free parking | Yes (self-parking) |
| Sea views | Yes, from many rooms |
| Garden size | Nearly 2 acres |
| Free Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Pets allowed | Yes, on request (charges may apply) |
| Check-in / Check-out | From 14:00 / Before 11:00 |
What amenities does Northfield Hotel offer?
The Northfield Hotel’s leisure facilities are a central draw, particularly for guests visiting outside the summer season. The indoor heated swimming pool is available year-round, and the hotel also provides a steam room, jacuzzi, and a fitness centre with gym equipment. A review from August 2021 on Tripadvisor noted the pool, jacuzzi and steam room were “very clean and not too busy.”
Beyond the pool, guests have access to a nine-hole putting green, a terrace opening onto the gardens, and residents’ lounges with armchairs and magazines, as described in a 2019 guest review on Tripadvisor UK. The property also lists a mini-golf course and a spa area among its offerings.
Indoor pool and spa
The hotel’s heated indoor pool is its flagship leisure amenity, confirmed across Expedia and the official site. The steam room and jacuzzi complement the pool area.
Gardens and views
The nearly two acres of gardens are a distinctive feature, designed by Gertrude Jekyll — a detail often cited by the hotel and noted on third-party listings. These grounds connect directly to Exmoor footpaths, letting guests step from the garden onto moorland walks.
Parking and accessibility
Free self-parking is available on-site, a valuable offering in Minehead where many hotels in the town centre charge for parking or have limited space. The hotel is located at the quieter end of Minehead, within walking distance of the promenade and Blenheim Gardens.
Does Northfield Hotel have sea views?
Yes — many of the hotel’s rooms and public areas offer views over the coast, according to the official site, which describes “spacious rooms with views over the coast, gardens, or hills.” The hillside position of the hotel, set on Northfield Road above the town, means that upper-floor rooms and the front-facing lounge areas look out across Minehead Bay.
Room views
The hotel offers three room categories: standard, superior, and deluxe. According to third-party listings, deluxe rooms are larger and positioned for better views, while superior rooms include extras like fresh fruit and sweets on arrival. All rooms include en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, dressing gowns, and hospitality trays with bottled water.
Public areas with sea views
The dining room and residents’ lounge both face the coast, and the terrace — which opens onto the Jekyll gardens — also catches the sea panorama. Multiple Hotels.com UK reviews from 2025 specifically praised the “location” and “nice pool” alongside the views.
What dining options are available?
The hotel’s on-site restaurant, The Oak Restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The official site describes seasonal menus, hearty breakfasts, and relaxed dinners served in a light-filled dining room. A bar and lounge area also serves bar meals, offering a more casual dining option.
A Tripadvisor UK review from August 2019 described a “cosy bar” with bar meals, alongside the main restaurant. The same review noted that the hotel offers mini-break packages including breakfast, dinner, and afternoon tea.
Restaurant menu
The Oak Restaurant focuses on British cuisine, with an à la carte menu that changes seasonally. The hotel’s own site emphasises local sourcing where possible, though specific menu items change throughout the year.
Bar and lounge
The bar area serves drinks and bar meals, and doubles as a lounge space. Guests can also order 24-hour room service, as listed on Hotels.com NL.
“The residents’ lounges have comfy armchairs, glossy magazines, and a terrace opening onto gardens. The cosy bar serves bar meals, and there’s a good-sized indoor heated swimming pool with a gym.”
— Tripadvisor UK review, August 2019
Pros and cons of staying at Northfield Hotel
What guests like
- Direct access to Exmoor footpaths from the hotel gardens
- Indoor heated pool, steam room, and jacuzzi available year-round
- Free on-site parking — a practical advantage in Minehead
- Historic Gertrude Jekyll gardens covering nearly two acres
- Sea views from many rooms and public areas
What to consider
- Some recent Tripadvisor reviews suggest certain facilities could benefit from refurbishment (2025 updates)
- Breakfast carries a surcharge of roughly £8 per person
- Not all rooms face the sea — standard rooms may overlook gardens or hills
- Pet fee of approximately £15 per night may apply
Best for: who should book the Northfield Hotel?
Based on the hotel’s amenities and guest feedback, the Northfield Hotel suits several traveller types particularly well. For a similar approach to UK hotel reviews, see our Cotswolds Hotel & Spa Review.
- Couples — The quiet hillside location, garden terrace, and bar lounge create a relaxed atmosphere for a weekend break.
- Nature enthusiasts — Direct Exmoor access from the gardens means guests can walk straight onto moorland trails without needing a car.
- Senior travellers — Free parking, level access to the dining room and lounges, and the indoor pool all reduce friction compared to more sprawling seaside hotels.
- Peace seekers — The hotel sits at the quieter end of Minehead, away from the main town centre bustle, and the gardens offer a calm outdoor space.
Pricing and getting there
Nightly rates vary significantly by season. A Kayak search in March 2025 showed sample rates from approximately £61 per night, though summer weekends and holiday periods command higher prices. The hotel is commonly categorised as a 3-star property, and pricing typically aligns with that bracket in the Minehead market.
The hotel is located on Northfield Road, Minehead, TA24 5PU. It lies at the southern end of Minehead, near the West Somerset Railway station and within walking distance of the seafront promenade. Booking.com rates the location as “Excellent” with proximity to railway access noted.
Alternatives to consider in Minehead
If the Northfield Hotel doesn’t suit your needs, one nearby alternative worth researching is Foxes Hotel, also in Minehead. Foxes Hotel is positioned closer to the town centre and may have different pricing and amenity configurations. For another coastal accommodation comparison, see our Swanage Hotel Guide. A direct comparison of sea views, garden space, indoor pool availability, and Exmoor access can help decide between the two.
Northfield Hotel — our recommendation
For couples and nature enthusiasts seeking a peaceful seaside base with indoor leisure facilities and direct Exmoor access, the Northfield Hotel is a solid pick among Minehead’s 3-star hotels. The combination of the heated indoor pool, historic gardens, free parking, and sea views at a reasonable price point makes it a dependable choice for year-round stays. Book a deluxe sea-view room if possible, and confirm the pet policy if travelling with a dog.
“10/10 Exceptional — friendly staff, great location, parking, nice pool.”
— Hotels.com UK review, August 2025
tripadvisor.com, tripadvisor.co.uk, tripadvisor.ca, tripadvisor.com, no.tripadvisor.com
Frequently asked questions about Northfield Hotel
Does Northfield Hotel have an indoor swimming pool?
Yes. The hotel has a heated indoor swimming pool, confirmed across multiple platforms including the official site, Booking.com, and Expedia. It also has a steam room and jacuzzi adjacent to the pool.
Is parking free at Northfield Hotel?
Yes. Free self-parking is included for all guests, as confirmed by Kayak and Tripadvisor listings.
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is before 11:00, according to multiple sources including Kayak and the hotel’s official booking details.
Is the hotel walkable to Minehead town centre?
Yes. The hotel is a short walk from the seafront promenade and Blenheim Gardens, and within walking distance of the West Somerset Railway station. It sits at the quieter end of Minehead.
Does Northfield Hotel have a restaurant?
Yes. The on-site restaurant is called The Oak Restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an emphasis on British cuisine and seasonal menus. The hotel also has a bar and lounge serving bar meals.