Coast & Beaches

The coast of West Somerset is generally mainly rocky. with the most fascinating geology.

There are some sandy beach areas if you know where to find them! The Bristol Channel has one of the greatest tidal ranges in the world which means the water goes out a long way over sand and also mud, so at low tide you must heed local warning signs and beware of where there is dangerous mud.

There are many beautiful beaches to explore with rock pools and exceptional geological formations. The jurassic coast line is less famous than it's Dorset cousin, but equally impressive and a popular place for fossil hunting. The Somerset Coastal Path is extensive, travelling from Weston-Super-Mare to Minehead where it connects with the SW Coastal Path. In theory, you could walk around the whole of the SW of England to Dorset!

The popular local beach of Kilve is a favourite spot to start a walk or spend time on the beach, with a pay & display car park and a quaint little cafe / tea garden called The Chantry.

Check out the Beach Guide at www.thebeachguide.co.uk . A number of beaches are dog friendly all year round, but it’s a good idea to check.

Kilve & East Quantoxhead - rocky, jurassic beaches. Low tide rock pools. Fossil hunting hot spots! There is a large car park at Kilve and walk a circular walk (see walks). Kilve beach has a grassy area above the beach - great for picnics and kite flying!

Blue Anchor - Long sandy beach with some rocks. Good for fossils. Take care going out at low tide with dangerous sand/mud - take note of local notices. The steam train stops here.

St Audrey’s Bay - There is a waterfall from the cliffs at St Audreys which can be reached by walking along the beach or coastal path from Kilve or East Quantoxhead. There is a small pay & display car park at St Audreys within the holiday park on the cliffs.

Dunster Beach - long sandy and pebble beach. Spot bird life on the marshes. Picnic area. Views to Wales. Cafe / kiosk open in summer. Steam train stops nearby. You can walk to Minehead.

Minehead - Family friendly sandy beach with promenade and entertainment. Lively atmosphere, with all you’d expect from a traditional English sea-side holiday town, including the fish & chips! The quaint old harbour is in contrast and marks the start of the South West Coastal Path which climbs steeply up North Hill the gateway to Exmoor.

Watchet - An old fishing village with shops, places to eat and the East Quay Arts Centre at the old harbour. The town centre also contains several interesting shops and museums, including the Watchet Boat Museum, a marina, and the steam train station. During low tide, up to half a mile of rocky sandy shore is exposed. No dog restrictions here.

Steart Marshes - Steart Marshes is the first of WWT's working wetlands. This is wonderful example of a thriving nature reserve. Spot all sorts of birdlife here from the hides and walkways. It’s free to visit and is open all year. You can take dogs but ensure you keep to the dog-rules.

Berrow Sands, Brean Beach, Brean Down, Uphill and Weston-super-Mare -

A bit further afield, but if you want a seemingly endless sandy beaches and sand dunes, with water sports such as Kite Surfing, Sand Sailing etc. then this is the place to come. Swimming not recommended at many of these beaches can be dangerous, particularly at low tide with quick-sand. Please look out for local warnings!

Brean Down has National Trust car park and trail walk around the cliff top to a ruined Napoleonic Fort at the headland.

Coast & Beaches

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