Clevedon beaches, Somerset Travel Guide
About Clevedon beaches, Somerset
The Somerset coastline offers sandy beaches and includes some busy seaside towns. You can have all the fun of the fair at Weston-super-Mare, but if you prefer somewhere quieter and prettier, try the low-key Victorian resort of Clevedon, with its beautiful Victorian pier and opportunities for paddle boat cruises.
Beach:
This sandy Somerset beach tends to get a bit muddy, but Clevedon is a pretty base and has a picturesque Victorian pier. For balmier sands, head 28km (18 miles) southwest to Burnham-on-Sea, also in Somerset. It's a long sandy stretch, gets busy in summer, and is great for swimming and paddling. It also has Britain's shortest pier, a stubby Edwardian edifice. But you have to be careful you don't get stuck in soft mud on this beach, which is exposed at low tide.
Beyond the beach:
Waverley and Balmoral (www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk) paddle steamers offer old-fashioned cruises around the Severn Estuary. These depart from Clevedon between April and October.
Family fun:
Clevedon has an old-fashioned air and lots of Victorian charm, as well as one of the oldest piers in the country. In summer there are concerts at the seafront bandstand, and activities on offer include golf, fishing and horse riding. Salthouse Fields, next to the seafront, has children's attractions, donkey rides, a play area and a miniature railway.
