From Portishead to Weston-Super-Mare, there are viewpoints on the North Somerset coastline where you can see for miles. Add a bracing coastal walk into the equation to make an outdoor adventure to remember
Woodspring Bay, Middle Hope
How to find it: Take B3440 from Weston-Super-Mare for Woodspring Priory and Woodspring Bay
Stand on the low cliffs above Woodspring Bay and, with the right weather, you can see straight across the Bristol Channel to Cardiff and up the coast to Clevedon. Woodspring Bay is just 20 minutes drive from Weston-Super-Mare on the edge of Middle Hope and the surrounding area is covered in interesting walks. If you’re visiting historic Woodspring Priory, you can walk to Woodspring Bay in under 40 minutes. Look out for Heron and Little Egrit on the mudflats.
Sandpoint, Middle Hope
How to find it: Take Beach Road from Kewstoke to Sand Point
From the village of Kewstoke, under 10 minutes drive from Weston-Super-Mare, you can walk along the beach to Sand Point and reward yourself with wonderful views of the Bristol Channel, Flatholm Island, Wales and even more of the North Somerset coast. The National Trust Sand Point Circular Walk is well signposted.
Battery Point Lighthouse, Portishead
How to find it: 15 minutes’ walk from Portishead town centre following Lake Road
Portishead Lighhouse at Battery Point is a favourite local spot for watching magnificent sunsets over Wales. It’s also one of the best vantage points on the North Somerset coast for views of the Severn Bridge.
Brean Down
How to find it: Take the Uphill Road from Weston-Super-Mare to Brean Down
The Victorian fort on Brean Down is a hint as to how extensive the views are from this coastal high point. Owned by the National Trust, this is another beautiful place to walk. Take the marked coastal route and you can see the seaside town of Barry, the Welsh equivalent of Weston-Super-Mare, on the coast opposite. The fort is well worth exploring, or you can just enjoy spotting seabirds and watching the boats.
Portishead to Clevedon Coastal Walk
How to find it: Follow Nore Road from Portishead in the direction of Clevedon the coastal route is signposted
The coastal route between Portishead and Clevedon takes just under two hours if you keep your head down and march. But it’s hard not to be distracted by the sea views, views of beaches and cliff top views, so give yourself longer than planned and take time to enjoy.
Weston-Super-Mare Beach
The wide, sandy beach in Weston-Super-Mare is as famous for its views as it is for the Grand Pier and traditional donkey rides. Paddle by the water’s edge on a clear summer day and you can often see historic pleasure steamers such as the Waverley sailing down Bristol Channel from Clevedon to Steep Holm and Flat Holm Islands. The protective arm of dramatic Brean Down curves round to the left and that’s the Welsh coast straight ahead.
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