The 10 Best Beaches In Somerset, UK
Planning a stint at the seaside in England’s South West? Browse the best beaches in Somerset for your next camping break. These serene swathes of coastline are easier to access than Devon and Cornwall when travelling from most of the UK.
But don’t expect pure white sand and aqua-blue waters. Somerset’s best beaches are usually made up of ancient rock and shingle – fantastic for fossil hunting, rock-pooling and hiking in a millennia-old limestone landscape.
Here are our top 10 best beaches in Somerset to choose from.
Kilve Beach
The best beach in Somerset for fossil hunting
Even William Wordsworth had a penchant for Kilve. He called this rocky beach “delightful” – a description the kids are sure to agree with during low tide. When the sea retreats, let budding marine biologists loose in the rock pools to hunt for crabs. Or have them find fossilised ammonites while you lie back and appreciate the scenic, cliff-hemmed surroundings. Kilve is also one of the top dog-friendly Somerset beaches, so feel free to bring a four-legged friend.
Find campsites near Kilve.
Dunster Beach
A sandy beach near a perfectly preserved medieval village
Dunster has a feature that’s a bit of a rarity on the Somerset coast: a sandy beach. It may be mixed in with shingle, but it still attracts people seeking a more traditional seaside experience. Visit to sit and stare out at the Bristol Channel, or navigate your way to the lush woods and glimmering lake that form part of the surrounding 450-acre nature reserve. Drop in on Dunster too, a thatched-roofed settlement considered England’s most intact medieval village.
Search for campsites in Dunster.
Brean Beach
Headland walks and views over to Cardiff Bay
Brean is best seen from above. A towering headland – formerly the site of a Romano-Celtic temple – edges one of the prettiest stretches of sand in Somerset. Wander to the Victorian defensive fort at the tip of the promontory, which was built to defend the coastline from Napoleon III. On clear days, you can find a grassy area to sit on spy Wales’ capital of Cardiff all the way across the Bristol Channel. This headland's such a hotspot for hiking, we also included it on our list of the best places to walk in Somerset.
Bag a Brean campsite.
Berrow Sands
A beach in Somerset that you can drive on
There are people who don’t mind a long walk to the beach… And then there are those who just want to plop themselves as close to the sea as possible. If you’re in the latter camp, make a beeline for Berrow and you can park your car right on the sand. Rather give your legs a workout? There’s 6.5 miles’ worth of beach to amble along.
Browse Berrow Sands campsites.
Weston-super-Mare beaches
Donkeys and amusement arcades at a traditional seaside resort
Locals have nicknamed this town Weston-super-Mud because of the squelchy sand left by the sea at low tide. So while it’s safe to say it’s not an avid sunbather’s first choice, the main beach is still well worth visiting for a classic British seaside experience. Gamble your pennies away on the Grand Pier’s arcades and eat fish and chips in front of the Victorian houses. Or explore other coastal attractions in the area, like the compact Middle Hope cove and larger Sand Bay.
Settle in at Weston-super-Mare campsites.
Bossington Beach
Porpoises, barrel jellyfish and pebbles aplenty
Just around the coast from Porlock, Bossington is a large expanse of pebbles backed by marsh and farmland. Park at the Holnicote Estate’s National Trust car park, then dawdle down to the beach for a placid day on the pebbles. A Junkers 88 crash-landed here during WWII and there are also war bunkers to explore. You might very well spot porpoises and barrel jellyfish in the water, too.
Find campsites near Bossington Beach.
Clevedon
A serene sea pool set against the backdrop of a Victorian pier
Clevedon has a rocky beach of its own, but the main reason to visit is for a high-tide dip in the natural marine lake. This sea pool is just the place for a refreshing swim in the Bristol Channel. It’s perhaps a little too cool at times – locals advise wearing a wetsuit, so you can stay in the water for longer. It’s also possible to paddleboard or kayak across this free-to-enter, 250-metre-long pool. You can’t always swim in the sea in Somerset because of low bathing quality and strong tides, so this is a prime place for a dip.
Organise camping in Clevedon.
Minehead Beach (The Strand)
A sandy beach backed by a buzzing seaside resort
A mix of sand and shingle lining the promenade of a popular seaside resort, this is a prime place to settle in on a rented deckchair by the sea. Peer at the panoramas across the Bristol Channel to Wales or up to Exmoor along the coast. Alternatively, supervise the kids as they build castles. With toilet facilities and a café, this beach is a family favourite. And, as the kick-off point of the South West coastal path, it’s also popular with walkers.
Mosey off on a Minehead camping trip.
Porlock Weir
Seaside strolls among gorgeous greenery
You’ll need to keep your boots on for a hike across the beach at Porlock Weir: the chunky pebbles mean sandals aren’t advised. But pottering here from Porlock, a pretty little fishing village on the Bristol Channel, is definitely recommended. Skirting Exmoor National Park, this whole area is circled by a spectacular section of high moorlands. For more places to walk in the wilderness, check out our favourite five Somerset nature reserves to visit.
Peruse Porlock Weir campsites.
St Audries Bay
Cliffside waterfalls in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Cross the Quantock Hills to reach St Audries, a rocky beach edged by a couple of plunging waterfalls. Each one rushes down from the top of moss-covered cliffs. This dreamy area, set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is a top choice for coast and country walks. Just make sure you have a little change for the carpark at the caravan site behind the beach as there’s nowhere to take out money.
Go camping at St Audries Bay.
To check out all out articles on Somerset, take a look at our ultimate beginners' guide to camping in South West England.