4 min readBristol is only a few miles from the coast, so if you're looking for places to enjoy a long walk, do some watersports or take a dip, here are some of the places within easy reach of the city.
Beaches near Bristol
Sand Bay
One of the most scenic spots along the North Somerset coast, Sand Bay has a long sand and shingle beach and is surrounded by grass-covered sand dunes and cliffs which offer great vistas at Sand Point. It's a popular location for families, cyclists and dog walkers.
Image - Sand Bay
Ladye Bay
This peaceful pebble beach on the outskirts of Clevedon is a scenic place to take a walk or watch the sunset across the estuary, with Clevedon Pier as an added backdrop. New steps were recently added for easier access to the beach, and there are many other little beaches on the coastal path between Clevedon and Portishead that you can stop off at if you're doing a walk in the area.
Image - Ladye Bay
Uphill Beach
A thin and sandy beach next to Uphill Nature Reserve, this isn't the best spot for swimming and there are no facilities aside from a car park. But if you're looking for a quiet and pretty spot for a picnic, to walk your dog or watch the sunset, this one to try!
Image - Uphill
Brean Sands
An area popular with families due to its Theme Park, Splash Water Park and Holiday Resort, Brean also has a large golf course and wide sandy beach. The miles of compact sand makes it popular with dog walkers and families who want to build sandcastles. There's also access to the neighbouring National Trust area of Brean Down, where you can enjoy clifftop views, visit a Victorian fort or do some birdspotting.
Image - Brean Sands
Berrow
Next to Brean Sands is Berrow, a quieter beach backed by sand dunes which is another lovely spot for walking. See if you can spot the shipwreck along the beach! Please be careful at low tide due to the exposed mudflats.
Image - Wreck of the SS Nornen on Berrow beach. Credit: Dave Peters, Visit Weston
Kilve Beach
With quite a rocky terrain, this beach isn't the best for sunbathing or swimming, but it is popular with walkers and fossil hunters! Kilve Beach is a Geological SSSI for its fossils, and in the past people have found fossils of ammonites, ichthyosaurs and more! This is also a good spot for rockpooling at low tide, as well as nature spotting.
South Wales
If you decide to head across the Severn Bridge, you can reach the long Mumbles beach in Swansea in around two hours, or the stunning coastline of the Gower in just over two and a half hours.
Seaside towns near Bristol
Portishead
This bustling town near the mouth of the Bristol Channel has plenty of options to keep you busy, whether you want to take a walk along the Esplanade or around the Marina, visit the open air pool (which is also heated year-round), do some shopping or do some rowing on the boating lake. It's also a great place to watch ships if you head up to the Battery Point lighthouse.
Image - Portishead
Clevedon
This charming seaside town has plenty of photogenic vistas, from its Grade I listed Victorian pier to its marine lake. Take in the scenery along Poets Walk, or explore on two wheels on the Pier to Pier Cycle Route, which connects Clevedon to the seafront in Weston-super-Mare. Little ones will enjoy Salthouse Fields, which has several play areas and a model railway. The Curzon Cinema is also worth a visit - this historic cinema has been operating continuously since 1912!
Image - Clevedon. Credit: Discover Clevedon
Weston-super-Mare
Well-known for its beach and The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare has something to keep all ages entertained. Have a go at Pirate Adventureland Golf, play on the arcade games or ride the go karts on the pier, take in the views from the Weston Sky Wheel, or visit the Weston Museum to learn more about the town. It's not safe to swim on the beach due to the tide, but there's the Marine Lake and Water Adventure Play Park if you want to cool off! Dogs are not permitted on the main beach during the summer months.
Image - The Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare
Burnham-on-Sea
A little further down the coast, Burnham is a longstanding family and holiday destination with a sandy beach, a Victorian pier with amusements, and its historic Grade II listed lighthouse. Dogs are only allowed on selected beaches, so please check before you visit.
Image - Burnham Lighthouse. Credit: Dave Peters, Visit Weston
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