As the weather gets colder, there’s no better way than to feel alive than a brisk coastal walk. And North Somerset is lucky to have a number of stunning beaches to blow away the winter cobwebs.
From vast expanses of sand to rocky coves and pebbly coastal vistas, the Somerset coast offers something for everyone. There are also a number of coastal paths to enjoy and take in the breathtaking views of the Bristol Channel.
Walking and being outdoors is one of the nation’s favourite pastimes. Here we take a look at some of the best coastal spots in North Somerset to get out and enjoy the fresh air this winter.
Weston Main Beach
With its expanses of golden sand, Weston-super-Mare main beach is a favoured winter walking spot with visitors and locals. The promenade, which runs along the two-mile stretch between Royal Sands and Marine Lake has been significantly redeveloped in recent years and is perfect for strolling along or even cycling if you don’t fancy a walk along the sands.
The town’s main beach is also dog friendly in the winter, so no reason not to take your pooch. And there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to make a pit stop to enjoy some warming refreshments.
There is plenty of parking along Marine Parade.
Marine Lake beach/Knightstone
This beach has seen something of a transformation in recent years, with a major improvement of the lake. Tens of thousands of tonnes of silt were dredged from the lake bed as part of a £300,000 improvement programme and to make it more pleasant for those who fancy some cold water activities.
However, you may have to leave your four legged friend at home as dogs are banned all year round from Marine Lake Beach. There is on street metered parking next to the beach.
Middle Hope Beach near Weston-super-Mare
This tiny North Somerset beach is a real hidden gem. It is on the other side of Sand Point from Sand Bay which is a regular fixture in our list of the best Somerset beaches.
It’s a mixture of sand and shingle and not suitable for swimming because of strong tidal currents and mud at low tide. But if you want unspoilt peace and quiet this is the one for you. It’s also dog friendly.
Layde Bay
Don’t be fooled into thinking Ladye Bay is just a secluded, rocky beach. If you head up the steps from the beach which lead to the main road, there’s a small wooded path which takes you past the Wellington Park Hotel to the main part of Clevedon seafront.
You’ll get some stunning views of the estuary as you make your way along it, but make sure you’re wearing sensible shoes, as it can get a little muddy.
Sugar Loaf Beach, Portishead
This pebbly beach – once home to the town’s lifeboat station – is an ideal spot to while away some hours on the coast. It has a slipway down to the water and the remnants of an old sea pool on the beach.
It can be accessed via the coastal path or via Belton Road or Nicholls Road and there is limited parking. It is also dog friendly.
For those who fancy stretching their legs further, there is a coastal walk which goes along the former golf course by the Windmill pub before taking you down towards the Lake Grounds and Portishead’s main beach.
Brean Beach
One of the longest stretches of sand in Europe takes in Brean Beach. In total it is around seven miles long and this section is popular with dog walkers and beach sport enthusiasts.
Framed by wild and spectacular Brean Down to the north, and with the resort village, holiday parks and attractions of Brean along the southern end there’s something for everyone here. The beach is also the giant canvas for sand artists including Simon Beck who has created more than 500 of them so far.
Berrow (south) Beach
Moving south from Brean the section of beach between Berrow’s dunes and Burnham-on-Sea is flat and sandy. There is access to drive and park on Berrow beach but be warned the tides move fast and the beach is muddy lower down.
Many, many vehicles have become stuck and destroyed here so visitors should be very mindful of the Bristol Channel tides and mudflats. It’s a great place for walking or horse riding and is dog friendly.
Sand Bay
If you like your beach largely unspoilt and wild, then Sand Bay is the place to head, just north of Weston-super-Mare. It is popular with dog walkers and boasts a great view across the Bristol Channel to South Wales.
No surprise it was chosen by the makers of the ITV drama Sanditon for the dramatic filming location of several beach scenes.
Uphill Sands
Uphill is a small village at the southern end of Weston-super-Mare’s promenade, and it’s a great day out if you don’t fancy the hustle and bustle of the main seafront. Its wide, open beach is hugely popular with dog walkers and is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely stroll.
The River Axe also flows out to sea here and the Uphill Local Nature Reserve, with its abundance of wildlife, is also nearby.
Royal Beach, Portishead
This pebbly beach sits at the end of the Portishead marina and next to the Royal Inn. This secluded beach is a lovely place to sit and spend time watching life on the Severn Estuary go by. It’s also just a short stroll across the marina to the Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve.
Clevedon Beach
Clevedon beach was made it into the top 20 of beaches to visit in 2022 in the HomeToGo guide. Clevedon beach represents the county as one of the best coastal locations in the country.
Alongside the renowned Marine Lake, the seafront also boasts a wide array of bars and pubs, alongside the only Grade I listed pier in the country, which has been described as “the most beautiful pier in England” by Sir John Betjeman.
Despite the murky waters, the estuary is popular with wild swimmers and watersports, with gig rowing and cold water swimming all popular throughout the year. The beach however has a dog ban in place all year round.
Portishead beach
Although marshy and pebbly in places, this is a great place to get some sea air. There’s plenty of free parking along The Esplanade and the beach sits parallel to the town’s Lake Grounds.
A short walk along the beach is Battery Point which is a great location to sit and watch the large boats making their way into the docks. For those who fancy a dip, and sea swimming isn’t recommended in the winter, there is also the neighbouring Portishead Open Pool which offers cold water swims during the winter. It also has a welcoming cafe for walkers or swimmers to warm up afterwards.
This article was first published in December 2022 and was republished in December 2024.