Burnham-on-Sea

Burnham-on-Sea sits where the River Parrett meets the Bristol Channel, a modest Somerset seaside town that has been drawing holidaymakers since Victorian times without ever losing its unhurried, small-town feel. Its beach is the headline act: a broad sweep of sand that runs north into Berrow and on towards Brean, backed by dunes and grassy links, with some of the biggest tidal ranges in the world pulling the water far out and back in again twice a day.

What sets Burnham apart from its bigger neighbours along this stretch of coast is its collection of quirky landmarks. The town has had three lighthouses over the years, and the one everyone photographs is the low lighthouse, a red-and-white timber structure perched on nine wooden legs directly on the beach, built in 1832 to guide ships safely past the treacherous sandbanks and mudflats of the channel. Behind the seafront, a compact high street, a famously short pier and a parish church with a tower that leans noticeably off true give the town plenty of character for its size.

Top things to do in Burnham-on-Sea

Burnham rewards a slow wander rather than a packed itinerary, but there is a good spread of things to see and do along the seafront and just inland.

• The Low Lighthouse — the town's emblem, a Grade II listed lighthouse on stilts right on the sand, still an active navigation light and one of the most photographed spots on the Somerset coast.
• Burnham-on-Sea Beach — a wide, gently shelving sandy beach with lifeguard cover in summer, popular for kite flying, sandcastles and watching the huge tides roll in.
• St Andrew's Church — known locally for its crooked tower, which has leaned since it was built, plus an elaborate Baroque reredos inside said to have come from a royal commission.
• Burnham-on-Sea Pier — one of the shortest pleasure piers in Britain, with amusement arcades and seafront entertainment that have barely changed in spirit for decades.
• Berrow Beach and dunes — a quieter stretch of sand just north of town, backed by a nature reserve of dunes and marram grass, part of one of the longest continuous beaches in Europe.
• Brean Down — a dramatic limestone headland a few miles up the coast, owned by the National Trust, with a Palmerston-era fort at its tip and sweeping views across the Bristol Channel to Wales.
• Burnham & Berrow Golf Club — regularly rated one of the best links courses in the country, welcoming visiting golfers alongside its members.
• River Parrett and Highbridge — the neighbouring town of Highbridge, with its old clock tower and river heritage, makes an easy add-on for a longer visit.

Getting to Burnham-on-Sea

Burnham-on-Sea sits just off the M5, with Junction 22 only a couple of miles from the town centre, making it an easy stop for drivers heading down the Somerset coast towards Devon and Cornwall. The A38 also runs close by for those approaching from Bristol or Bridgwater. The nearest railway station is Highbridge & Burnham, on the Bristol to Taunton line, from where it is a short taxi or bus ride into town, and National Express coaches also serve the area. Bristol Airport, around 40 minutes away by car, is the most convenient option for anyone flying in.

Best time to visit Burnham-on-Sea

Summer, from June to August, is peak season, when the beach, pier and seafront cafes are at their liveliest and the tides are warm enough for paddling and swimming. Spring and early autumn are quieter and often just as pleasant, with mild weather good for coastal walks on Brean Down and birdwatching on the marshes and dunes around Berrow. Winter brings a bracing, wide-open charm, with huge skies and dramatic tides, and is popular with those who prefer their seaside towns without the crowds.

Where to stay in Burnham-on-Sea

Accommodation ranges from traditional seafront guesthouses and small hotels to self-catering cottages and apartments overlooking the beach. The surrounding villages of Berrow and Brean are home to some of the largest holiday parks in the South West, offering static caravans, touring pitches and camping for those who want a big, family-friendly base within easy reach of the sands. For something quieter, Highbridge and the surrounding countryside offer farmhouse B&Bs and rural retreats a short drive from the seafront.

Food and drink in Burnham-on-Sea

The town has a good spread of unpretentious seaside eating, from fish and chip shops along the Esplanade to traditional tea rooms serving cream teas within sight of the low lighthouse. Pubs such as the Somerset Arms and the Ship Inn offer solid pub food and local ales, while the Saturday and Sunday markets bring fresh produce and street food stalls into the town centre. A short drive out, Coombes Cider Mill near Burnham is a working traditional cider farm where visitors can sample local scrumpy straight from the source, a proper taste of Somerset to round off a day at the coast.