While not quite a seaside town, Bristol is blessed with being quite close to the coast. That means there’s more than a handful of beautiful beaches pretty close to Bristol, plus many more all under a two-hour drive away. And, because nothing beats a day trip quite like a beach trip, why not start packing the car with beach towels, windbreakers, surfboards, and buckets and spades in preparation for summer now!
1. Clevedon Beach
One of the closest beaches to Bristol, Clevedon Beach, is a classic. The long, pebble beach runs south-west of the old Victorian seaside resort of Clevedon and is home to an iconic Grade I-listed pier with a Japanese pagoda and glass restaurant. If you fancy venturing a little further up the beach, head to the quiet sand and rock beach, Ladye Bay, nestled between rugged rocks and cliffs.
2. Weston-super-Mare Beach
Weston-super-Mare should be well known to most Bristolians. It’s less than an hour’s drive from here (less than two hours by train) and features almost two miles of sandy shores. A flat and level promenade runs alongside it, with the iconic Grand Pier offering a classic amusement park with up-to-the-minute entertainment. Meanwhile, the Marine Lake has sea-water bathing and its own sandy beach when the tide is out!
3. Portishead Marina
Just ten miles away from Bristol, Portishead has the closest sandy spot to get some fresh sea air. A walk along the beach here will take you to the marina and to a cute little pier, where you can watch the yachts moor in and out throughout the day. You’ll also find a little piece of Bristol with a coffee shop and bakery, Mokoko – nothing better than coffee, pastry and seeing boats go by.
4. Burnham-on-Sea Beach
There are eight beaches in the Burnham area (including Brean and Berrow), but it is Burnham-on-Sea Beach itself that has the most to offer, plus it’s award-winning. Burnham was once a small fishing village back in the late 18th century before it began to grow in popularity as a seaside resort. Less than an hour’s drive from Bristol, a visit to Burnham Beach is great for swimming and paddling and boasts a beautiful lighthouse.
5. Sand Bay
Often referred to as ‘Weston-super-Mare’s hidden gem’, Sand Bay is a long, sandy and shingle beach just under an hour’s drive away from Bristol. It boasts great views across the Bristol Channel to South Wales and is a large and relatively wild beach. If you’re looking to escape from the crowded beach at Weston-super-Mare in peak season, head two miles north to Sand Bay and take a walk along the quiet, sandy beach. And be sure to enjoy a slice of cake at The Sand Bay Tearooms or a fish supper at Sand Bay Fish and Chip Shop for some traditional seaside grub.
6. Ogmore Beach
The brilliant thing about being in Bristol is that you can easily venture across to Wales for a change of scenery, like visiting the gorgeous beaches the country has to offer. Ogmore Beach is a lovely sand and pebble beach on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, and it’s great for a variety of activities, including swimming, surfing, fishing, and walking. The beach in the Vale of Glamorgan looks out towards Tusker Rock, which is completely visible at low tide and is a popular diving spot.
7. Rest Bay
Another Welsh wonder is Rest Bay in Porthcawl, south of Swansea and north of Ogmore-by-Sea. The bay is a long, sandy and unspoiled beach offering a great spot for surfing and other water sports, tidal pools and a waterfront cafe. For those wanting to learn to surf, Porthcawl Surf School, which overlooks Rest Bay, is the place, plus you can hire surfboards or take up paddleboard lessons too.
8. Kilve Beach
Lying halfway between Minehead and Bridgwater and in the heart of the Quantock Hills, Kilve Beach is a quiet beach for some well-deserved respite. The shoreline is mostly rocky with plenty of rockpools to explore and fossils to find. One of the best features of Kilve Beach is the large grassy area behind the beach, which is ideal for enjoying a picnic on a sunny day.
9. Porlock Bay
It may be more of a drive, but once you arrive at Porlock Bay, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful, expansive coastline. Located on the Bristol channel, the coastline features shingle ridges, salt marshes and a submerged forest. Walk along the beach at Porlock Bay and up to Porlock Weir, to grab a bite to eat (including some amazing oysters) and explore the cute harbour village filled with fishing boats providing that classic seaside feel.
10. Shaldon Beach
Down in Devon, Shaldon Beach is surprisingly easier to visit than it first appears. (Taking no more than an hour by train or car.) The stunning seaside town and fishing harbour of Teignmouth offers long sandy beaches running off it, jam-packed with activities. But to avoid the crowds, our tip is to take the passenger ferry across the water to Shaldon Beach. It’s far more peaceful and secluded, with a lovely traditional fishing village charm. You can also just enjoy both beaches whilst visiting from Bristol!
11. Chesil Beach
While a little further away than many other beaches near Bristol, there’s a reason many consider Chesil Beach in Dorset the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. Stretching for 18 miles, with water on either side, this thin, long peninsula that stretches out from the mainland along the southern coast is one of Britain’s most gorgeous natural features. The beach is also part of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is home to Fleet Lagoon—one of the few undisturbed natural lagoons in the world.