 There are a variety of schools and religious , cultural and sporting facilities including sailing and wind surfing and golf . One popular ancient local tradition involves the Hobby Horse , or Obby Oss , which takes to the streets for four days on the eve of the first of May each year , with accompanying musicians and rival horses . The town is the starting point of the South West Coast Path National Trail , the nation 's longest long @-@ distance countryside walking trail . The Minehead Railway was opened in 1874 and closed in 1971 but has since been reopened as the West Somerset Railway . 
