Brean Sands and Berrow

A magnificent sweep of sand stretches from the seaside resort of Burnham-on-Sea, north past the holiday villages of Berrow and Brean Sands to the National Trust headland of Brean Down.

Berrow village appears in the Domesday Book and has several listed buildings that can be seen in the centre. A medieval church, St Mary Magdalene, dates back to 1150 with items of historical interest and a lovely stained glass window featuring boats.

Many rare and beautiful species of plants and insects survive in the protection of the nature reserve to the north of the village. The Burnham and Berrow Golf Club is situated in the sand dunes parallel to the village and offers a challenging game in the prevailing westerly winds.

Along the coast a vast range of accommodation can be found, especially many different types of holiday centres, caravan and camping parks, not forgetting guesthouses too. Extensive leisure facilities can be found on many sites, from swimming pools to entertainment complexes, Brean Leisure Park (largest in the South West) to Animal Farm Adventure Park.

Brean lies at the northernmost end of the seven miles of beaches. Brean Down is one of the most dramatic landmarks of the Somerset coastline, part of the great chain of the Mendip Hills. From the top of the headland (National Trust) there are great views over the Bristol Channel, the islands of Steep Holm and Flat Holm, Weston-super-Mare and the Welsh coast.

Man has occupied Brean Down for thousands of years. The remains of a Roman temple have been found, there are ancient Celtic field systems and Brean Fort can be explored, built in 1870 to protect against French invasion and used in the Second World War too.

Wildlife includes many types of birds, butterflies and plants that thrive in the grass and scrubland plus feral goats helping to keep the vegetation in check. Brean Down Bird Garden lies at the foot of the headland and has birds of a more exotic nature.