A partial solar eclipse was visible across the Burnham-On-Sea area on Wednesday evening (August 12th), drawing crowds of onlookers to the seafront with eclipse glasses to watch as the Moon passed between the Earth and the Sun.
The spectacle, which lasted around one hour and 50 minutes, began at roughly 6.20pm and finished shortly after 8.10pm, with the peak around 7.10pm – although cloud did obscure visibility immediately afterwards.
Crowds of onlookers lined the seafront and sea wall steps to watch the spectacle unfold – with some even watching while taking a swim in the sea. The sky dimmed and temperatures briefly dipped during the peak of the eclipse.
Burnham and Highbridge Town Band played summer tunes next to the Bay View Café immediately afterwards, adding to the atmosphere. Car parks were at capacity and roads adjacent to the seafront were filled with parked vehicles.
Ahead of the event, residents had been strongly advised not to look directly at the Sun without proper protection. The UK Health Security Agency reiterated that only genuine eclipse glasses or solar viewers meeting the ISO 12312‑2:2015(E) safety standard were suitable, warning that ordinary sunglasses did not provide enough protection. Many families instead used pinhole projectors made from card to safely view the changing shape of the Sun.
The next full solar eclipse visible from the UK is not expected for another 64 years, on 23rd September 2090.
