Edithmead

Edithmead is barely more than a scatter of farms and a caravan park where the flat, drained pastures of the Somerset Levels meet the edge of Burnham-on-Sea. It sits within the sprawling civil parish of Burnham Without, just off Junction 22 of the M5, and for most visitors it is known as a handy stopping point rather than a destination in its own right. That is part of its appeal: this is a working corner of rural Somerset, criss-crossed by rhynes (drainage ditches) and grazing land, with none of the crowds of the seaside resorts just up the road.

The hamlet takes its name, according to local tradition, from a mead or meadow associated with a woman called Edith, and it appears in the history of the wider Burnham parish as one of the small tythings and hamlets that fed into the old markets at Highbridge. Life here has always been shaped by the land and the water: this part of Somerset was under the sea in prehistory, and the levels only slowly emerged, leaving a landscape of flat fields, drainage channels and long straight droves. Today Edithmead is a quiet base for touring caravanners and those who want the M5 on one side and the Bristol Channel coast on the other, with Highbridge, Burnham-on-Sea, Brean and Weston-super-Mare all within a short drive.

Top things to do in Edithmead

Edithmead itself has little beyond its caravan parks and surrounding farmland, so most days out mean heading the short distance into Highbridge, Burnham-on-Sea and the wider coast. Here is a realistic list of what is genuinely worth doing from a base here.

• Burnham-on-Sea seafront and Low Lighthouse — a Grade II-listed, red-and-white timber lighthouse on stilts dating from 1832, standing on the beach and one of the most photographed landmarks on this stretch of coast.
• Berrow Beach and dunes — miles of sand backed by the Berrow Dunes local nature reserve, good for a proper walk away from the busier central Burnham beach.
• Apex Park — a 42-acre leisure and wildlife park in old flooded clay pits, with fishing lakes, a woodland walk, play area, skate park and outdoor gym, a few minutes from Highbridge.
• Brean Down — a dramatic limestone headland and Site of Special Scientific Interest jutting into the Bristol Channel, with a coastal fort at its tip and sweeping views over Weston Bay.
• Highbridge town and market history — once the hub where farming communities from Edithmead, Mark, Watchfield and Huntspill traded, Highbridge retains a small-town character worth a wander.
• Weston-super-Mare — the Victorian seaside resort a short drive north, with its Grand Pier, Tropicana pool and long sandy beach.
• Somerset Levels wildlife watching — the flat, rhyne-crossed farmland around Edithmead is part of the wider Levels, good for birdwatching and cycling on quiet lanes.

Getting to Edithmead

Edithmead sits right on the region's main artery: Junction 22 of the M5 is on its doorstep, making it one of the most accessible spots in the area for anyone driving down from Bristol, the Midlands or further afield. From the M5 it is a matter of minutes into Highbridge or Burnham-on-Sea. The nearest railway station is Highbridge & Burnham, on the Bristol to Taunton line, a short taxi or drive away, while Bristol Airport is around 40 minutes north. Local bus services connect Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea, though Edithmead itself is best reached by car given its location just off the motorway junction.

Best time to visit Edithmead

Summer (June to August) brings the warmest weather for the beaches at Burnham-on-Sea, Berrow and Brean, along with the longest days for walking Brean Down or exploring Apex Park. Spring and early autumn are quieter, with mild weather well suited to the flat cycling routes and birdwatching across the Somerset Levels, and better value at the caravan parks. Winter is very much off-season here: the levels can be wet and the coast bracing, though the area still appeals to those after a peaceful, low-key stay away from crowds.

Where to stay in Edithmead

Accommodation right in Edithmead is dominated by caravan and holiday parks rather than hotels, reflecting its role as a touring base rather than a resort. For a wider choice of hotels and guesthouses, Burnham-on-Sea and Weston-super-Mare, both a short drive away, offer everything from seafront B&Bs to larger family hotels.

Food and drink in Edithmead

Edithmead's own dining options are modest and centred on its parks: the Windmill Bar & Bistro at Edithmead Leisure and Park Homes serves meals and hosts regular quiz and bingo nights for residents and visiting caravanners. For a proper choice of pubs, cafes and restaurants, Highbridge and Burnham-on-Sea are only minutes away by car and offer a much fuller range of places to eat, from traditional seaside chippies to town-centre pubs.