Our Guide to the Best Beaches in Somerset

Somerset is a beautiful place to visit, known for the Glastonbury Festival, Cheddar Gorge, and gorgeous countryside that includes woodlands and lakes. As amazing as it is inland, though, the Somerset coast is a revelation. With everything from seaside resorts with golden sandy beaches to soaring cliffs to serene wetlands, the coast spans much of the length of the Bristol Channel. The variety in the landscape is remarkable, and the coast has everything you would expect to find at the seaside, including rock pools, fossils, ice cream parlours, piers, and some of the best beaches around. Somerset beaches have something for everyone and here, we offer a guide to the best beaches in Somerset.

Brean Beach

A popular place for walkers, dog walkers, and people who love beach sports, Brean Beach is a beautiful beach that seems to stretch on endlessly. You can park on the beach, and you can also ride horses on the beach, and with sandy spots, quiet dunes, marshlands, and mudflats to explore, it is the perfect beach for just about everyone. Sailing, windsurfing, boating, fishing, and riding personal watercraft are all popular activities at Brean Beach, as are coastal hikes. For more challenging hikes and spectacular views, check out the 97 metre high headland, Brean Down, which acts as a natural pier, stretching out into the sea. There are also several interesting archaeological sites on the down, possibly stretching back as far as the Stone Age, and the remains of a 19th century fort sit at the summit.

Weston-super-Mare Beach

One of the longest natural beaches in the UK, Weston-super Mare Beach is a popular seaside resort on the Bristol Channel coast. The warmer months bring crowds to enjoy the golden sands, and the beach hosts a variety of events, like the Weston-super-Mare Air Festival and the Weston Beach Race. There is no need to wait for an event, though, as this is an idyllic spot for your perfect beach day. Ice cream vans and snack shacks await, and the Grand Pier, stretching out into the sea, delights with amusements and entertainment. Dogs are allowed for part of the year, though restricted from 1st May to 30th September. Just behind the beach is the busy town of Weston-super-Mare, with plenty of restaurants and shops, and plenty to do.

Burnham-on-Sea Beach

Also called Main Beach, this award winning beach is a traditional resort with a sandy beach, along with a seaside promenade, with Victorian and Edwardian homes. It is a great place to bring the family, with exciting amusements like donkey rides on the sand and other seaside attractions, and tour operators provide opportunities for activities like boating, sailing, and riding personal watercraft. The nearby pier features small shops with food and refreshments, as well as an amusement hall. Dogs are permitted on the beach during the off seasons.

Minehead Beach

When you want to take the kids to a sunny, sandy beach to build sandcastles or just play, Minehead Beach, also called The Strand is the ideal place. This sandy beach turns to pebbles near the harbour, and in the sandy stretch, visitors can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, water sports, or just wading in the calm waters with their children. Multiple car parks provide access down short ramps or steps, and there are plenty of amenities in the town of Minehead, just behind the beach. A promenade, Victorian and Georgian buildings, nightlife, amusements, and cafes and restaurants, including waterfront dining, await. For luxury accommodations to escape to after a long day on Minehead Beach, check out the Dillington Estate. There, you will find exceptional holiday cottages and a sprawling Manor House, situated in 3,000 acres of rolling fields, with woodland and scenic farmland.

Blue Anchor Bay

A beach of sand and shingle, Blue Anchor Bay is an expansive spot that definitely earns a spot among the best beaches in Somerset. It is very popular with sunseekers, but it is also a prime location for fossil hunting, and a great place to walk dogs, who are welcomed off-lead, year round. The coast path runs just behind the beach, and there is a lovely café and pub nearby. Backed by a promenade, from which many visitors enjoy fishing, the beach also has easily accessible parking and toilets.

Whether you want a coastal adventure, a relaxing visit to a seaside resort, or a fun family day with old-fashioned amusements, sandcastles, and tasty snacks, Somerset beaches have everything you could want in a coastal holiday. Bring your dogs or leave them at home, hunt for fossils or play in the water, hike the coast or just relax; you can create the beach experience you want on the Somerset coast. When you are ready to visit some of these gorgeous beaches, or travel to any other of the amazing locations the UK has to offer, Together Travel Co. is here to bring your holiday dreams to life, just around the corner from home. All across the UK, we have luxurious, comfortable, unique properties located wherever you want to be, spending your family holidays connecting, relaxing, and enjoying all these vacation spots have to offer. Find out how we can make your trip amazing by contacting our expert concierge team at +44(0)1625 416430 or emailing us for more information.