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Safety
advice for using the beaches
at Burnham-On-Sea, Berrow and Brean:
A
complete guide to beaches at Burnham, Berrow and Brean:
There
are eight beaches
in the Burnham area, all of which are within 15 minutes of junction
22 of the M5 motorway. They are surrounded by entertainment,
hotels and other accommodation:
Burnham
Main Beach
This
is Burnham's award-winning beach. A
predominantly sandy beach which is patrolled by lifeguards 10am-6pm
from May 1st to September 30th (denoted by yellow and red flags).
The famous pier is just a few short steps
away and there are various shops and cafes close by. Dogs are
banned from this beach all year round. Parking
is available on the seafront and at Somerfields supermarket. This
is a great swimming and paddling beach which also offers donkey
rides and kids entertainment in the summer. There's a seperate
area for boats and jet skis to launch. Public toilets and showers
are available at the Tourist Information Centre. Take note that
it is dangerous to approach the sea at low tide.
Interactive
photo
Burnham
South Beach
This
beach offers sand near the jetty, with pebbles,
mud and marshland further south near the River Parrett. This beach
is excellent for watching boats come in and out of the bay and
also for spotting seabirds as they fly in from Stert
and the nearby Apex Wildlife
Park.
Dogs are banned from this beach from May 1st to September 30th.
It
is dangerous to approach the sea at low tide.
Parking
is available on the seafront and at Somerfields supermarket.
Public
toilets and showers are very close by at the Tourist Information
Centre. The
sea wall steps provide good seats.
Interactive
photo
Burnham
North Beach
A
mixture of sand and mud with a natural sea water boating pool
that is great for children in spring and summer. With the sea
wall nearby, families can sit on the steps and watch their youngsters
play. Several pubs are close by and the town's shops and pier
are all within easy reach.
Dogs
are banned from this beach from May 1st to September 30th. It
is very dangerous to approach the sea at low tide here. Public
toilets are available at Burnham Swimming Pool. Parking
is available along the seafront.
Interactive
photo
Beach
Lighthouse Area
This
is the start of a six mile length of beach
offering wide-open expanses of sand with dunes at the top of the
beach. You have to see the famous lighthouse
on wooden stilts.
This
beach is patrolled by wardens from May 1st
to September 30th. Dogs
are welcome here all year round.
Take
note that it is very dangerous to approach the sea at low tide
due to sinking sand and mud. There
is unfortunately little parking in this area, with the nearest
spot being Burnham seafront. You can then walk out to the lighthouse
in about 15 minutes.
Berrow
Beach
A
six mile length of beach with sand dunes and firm sand, which
is
the second longest stretch of sand in Europe.
Features include secluded sand dunes, the famous Ship
Wreck, and marshland that attracts various seabirds.
At low tide a wide exposure of soft sand and mud is exposed leading
to the water's edge, but
note that it is very dangerous to approach the water at low tide.
The beach is patrolled
by wardens from May 1st to September 30th. Dogs
are welcome on this beach. Horse
riding is also allowed on this beach. You
can park vehicles briefly in the car park at Berrow Church or,
for longer stays, on the beach at Brean.
Interactive
photo
Brean
Beach
Brean
Beach is part
of a six mile length of beach with sand
dunes and firm sand, which
is
the second longest stretch of sand in Europe.
The beach is great for families wanting
Ice creams and fast food are often sold on the beach at the car
park area in spring and summer.
At low tide a wide exposure of soft sand and mud is exposed leading
to the water's edge, but
note that it is very dangerous to approach the water at low tide.
The
beach is patrolled by wardens from May 1st to September 30th.
Dogs
are welcome on this beach. Vehicles can park on this beach during
the day in designated parking areas. Horse
riding is also allowed. Visitors
should respect the warning notices about the dangers of mud along
this beach.
Brean
Down
A
superb stretch of beach with firm sand and views of Brean Down.
At low tide a wide exposure of soft sand and mud is exposed leading
to the water's edge. The
beach is patrolled by wardens from May 1st
to September 30th. Dogs
are welcome on this beach. Vehicles can park on the beach during
the day in designated areas. Horse
riding is allowed on this beach. You
can park your car at the National Trust car park besides Brean
Down.
Remember that the tide rises faster near Brean Down and
it is also dangerous to approach the water at low tide due to
mud.
You
should respect the
warning notices and keep off the rocks of the Down as they can
be slippery, especially when wet. Climbing
is not allowed and is extremely dangerous. Visitors to Brean Down
should use the steps or roadway near the Bird Garden. Public
toilets are available next to the Brean Down cafe. Interactive
photo
River
Axe Estuary
This
is a stretch of mud and pebbles at the far eastern end of Brean
Down next to the River Axe. It is a rapidly-flowing tidal area
with dangerous mud and sinking sand.
Visitors to this area should head warnings about never attempting
to cross the river on foot. Uphill and Weston-super-Mare cannot
be reached by this route as the mud and tides have claimed lives
here in
the past. Nearest car parking area is the National Trust car park
next to Brean Down, which is just a five minutes walk away.
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