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How
To Get Here
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Weston-super-Mare,
M5 Junction 21 then A370 west, from Bristol A370 west.
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North
Somerset Features
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North
Somerset Guides & Maps
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 Weston-super-Mare
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Weston-super-Mare,
one of the largest seaside holiday resort towns in the West
Country, is on the Bristol Channel, 18 miles south-west of
Bristol.
Set in
the broad sweep of Weston Bay, the resort boasts miles of
sandy beaches. However, because the Bristol Channel experiences
the second largest tidal rise and fall in the world, at low
tide the sea can be over a mile from the promenade.
Until
the early 19th century Weston was just a small windswept village
of around 30 houses.
Weston-super-Mare
owes its growth and prosperity to the boom in seaside holidays
during Victorian times. Its first hotel opened in 1808 and
over the years the town gradually spread out along the coast
between the higher ground of Worlebury Hill and Bleadon Hill.
The proximity
of large centres of population in Bristol, Bath and South
Wales was important to the growth of the resort.
As Weston
became more popular, many fashionable terraces, crescents
and villas were built. Hans Price, a local architect, was
responsible for much of the development of Weston during the
Victorian period. Isambard Kingdom Brunel lived here for
some months while he was supervising the construction of the
Bristol and Exeter Railway.
When
the railway opened in 1841, it enabled visitors to travel
long distances for day trips at Weston. Paddle steamers also
brought visitors from ports on both sides of the Bristol channel
and steamers tied up at Birnbeck Pier, opened in 1867, to
cater for daytrippers. The pier also offered amusement arcades,
funfair rides and tearooms.
One of
the resort's most important developments was the strengthening
of the sea wall and creation of a two mile long promenade
in the 1880s. The Grand Pier opened in 1904 and its Winter
Gardens and Pavilion in 1927. The opening of the Grand Pier
saw a decline of the Birnbeck Pier and this Grade II listed
structure is now derelict and on English Heritage's list of
endangered buildings.
Today
Weston-super-Mare, with its sandy beaches and a bustling seafront,
has lots of activities to keep tourists and visitors entertained.
A land train transports visitors along the promenade to Marine
Lake and to Royal Sands.
The area
has two, two-mile long sandy beaches, one in Weston-super-Mare
and one in Sand Bay, 3 km to the north.
At
low tide the sea goes out about a mile exposing mudflats and
danger signs warn visitors of the risks of crossing these.
To compensate for this an artifical lake, with a stretch of
sand, was created at the northern end of the main beach and
this allows children to play safely whatever the state of
the tide.
Donkey
rides are still a feature of Weston-super-Mare.
For the
more energetic visitors, the West Mendip Way, a 30 mile walking
route, can be joined at the southern end of the town.
Although
Weston-super-Mare is still reliant on tourism, the town is also
increasingly dependent on industry, commerce, consumerism
and commuting.
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Map of Weston-super-Mare |
What
To See -
Weston-super-Mare Tourist Attractions
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 The Grand Pier Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1AL |
The Grand Pier offers all the fun of the fair.The family-run pier was the second pier to be built in the resort. Birnbeck Pier was considered to be too far from the centre of the town. Opened in 1904 the Grand Pier was the last of the great pleasure piers to be built.The pier was designed to serve shipping at all tides and provide entertainment near the shore. As the sea goes out a considerable distance at Weston-super-Mare the pier had to be very long. Tides and strong currents meant that steamers continued to use Birnbeck Pier. The Grand Piers Pavilon, opened in 1927, was home to opera, musical hall, stage plays, ballet and occasionally boxing. Following a fire in 1930 the pavilion was rebuilt as a large funfair rather than a theatre. The opening of the funfair saw the final demise of Birnbeck Pier. Today visitors can travel on a tractor-pulled train along the length of the pier and enjoy lots of indoor rides, family amusements, shops and a cafe.
Tel: 01934 620238 Open: Apr-Oct  Location Map |
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Paddle Steamer Waverley, Weston-super-Mare |
Built on the River Clyde in 1947, PS Waverley is the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world and visits Weston-super-Mare in the summer. Designed as a Clyde steamer, sailing between Craigendorran and Arrochar in West Scotland. In 1974, due to running costs, the historic vessel was sold to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) for £1. A public appeal raised funds to restore the ship and since then the PSPS has been operating a cruise ship operation, Waverley Excursions. In 2003 the Society carried out a restoration to return PS Waverley to her original 1940s appearence, complete with red, white and black funnels. Now the last operational Clyde steamer, PS is popularly known in her home waters as The Pride of the Clyde. The restored ship operates a programme of cruises around Britain from Easter to October. These are based on the Clyde, Thames, south coast of England and Bristol Channel. Sun decks, a bar, restaurant and heated lounges.
Tel: Booking hotline 0845 130 4647 Open: Summer trips |
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Motor Vessel Balmoral, Weston-super-Mare |
The classic passenger ship MV Balmoral, which also visits Weston, was built at Southampton in 1949 and operated under the Southampton Red Funnel Fleet for 20 years before becoming the last member of Campells White Funnel fleet, in the Bristol Channel. The company ceased operations in 1980 and MV Balmoral was taken to Dundee to become a floating restaurant, but this was unsuccessful and the ship fell into disrepair. Rescued by the friends of the Waverley it returned to service in 1986. Her main summer season is in the Bristol Channel but she also visits other places in the UK in the spring and autumn. Carries up to 800 passengers with heated lounges, bars, restaurant and large open deck.
Tel: Booking hotline 0845 130 4647 |
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The Great Weston Train Experience Model Masters, International House, 50a Clifton Road, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1BW |
Model Masters, one of Europe's top ten model railway specialists, also has extensive permanent exhibition layouts in N, HO and LGB.
Tel: 01934 629717 Location Map |
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Court Farm Country Park Wolvershill Road, Banwell, Weston-super-Mare BS29 6DL |
Award-winning Court Farm, set in beautiful countryside with breath-taking views, has been a farm attraction for 19 years. The 108 acre working farm also has an additional 350 acres of arable crops and visitors will usually see some farm work going on in Court Farm was originally a dairy farm but in the late 1990s it was decided to concentrate on the farm attraction. Since then the farm has built up a pedigree herd of Red Ruby Devon cattle together with a pedigree herd of Texel sheep. Lots of other animals to see such as shire horses, shetland ponies and pigs. Activities at the all-weather attraction include a milking show, pony rides and tractor rides. One of the highlights is a maize maze, which is harvested at the end of the summer. Indoor and outdoor adventure playgrounds, picnic areas, cafe and shop.
Tel: 01934 822383 Open: Easter-end of Oct: daily 10:00-17:30. Winter: Tue-Sun: 10:00-16:30 Location Map |
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Puxton Park Cowslip Lane, Hewish, Weston-Super-Mare BS24 6AH |
Puxton Park, set in 150 acres, offers fun for all the family. As well as farm animals, such as dairy and beef cattle, sheep and pigs, and a pet corner, there are outdoor activities for children. Inside there is a play barn with a separate toddlers area. Adults enjoy the Farm Shop, Restaurant and cafe. (on A370, just off M5 at Junction 21)
Tel: 0844 800 2295 Open: Daily Apr-Sept: 10:00-17:00, Oct-Mar: 10:00-16:00 Closed 25/26 Dec Location Map |
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Boat Trips, Weston-super-Mare |
Visitors can enjoy trips around Weston Bay lasting for an hour. There is also a longer trip to the nature reserve of Steep Holm in the Bristol Channel. The five mile boat trip, taking an hour, takes visitors to a pebble beach on Steep Holm where a zig-zag path climbs upwards towards the islands plateau 256 ft above sea-level. Trips last 8 - 10 hours. Boats leave from Knightstone Harbour.
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Hans Price Gallery Weston College, Lower Church Road, Weston-super-Mare |
The Hans Price Gallery, named after a local architect, is part of the Art Department of Weston College. Works by college students and local artists are shown here. Hans Price was responsible for much of the development Weston-super-Mare in the Victorian era. Most of his distinctive buildings remain today, including this building (the former School of Science and Art) which was designed by Hans Price in 1892. The gallery aims to promote established artists and those beginning to make a name for themselves.
Tel: 01934 411411 Open: Please Telephone Location Map |
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Helicopter Museum The Heliport, Locking Moor Road, Weston-super-Mare BS24 8PP |
Founded in 1958 by Elphan ap Rees, this is the largest dedicated helecopter museum in the world. The museum opened to the public in 1978, opened in 1989 by HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York. The museum has grown steadily and now has over 80 rotorcraft from all over the world. Many foreign helicopters are featured, in particular Soviet-era and Eastern European craft. Also helicopters from the Queens Flight, including a Wessex. The Helicopter Museum offers regular 15 mile summer Helicopter Experience Flights over the area.
Tel: 01934 635227 Open: Apr-Oct: 10:00-17:30, Nov-Mar: 10:00-16:30 Last entrance 1 hour before close. Closed 25/26 Dec, 1 Jan Location Map |
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Lambretta Scooter Museum 77 Alfred Street, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1PP |
This privately owned museum contains the largest collection of Lambretta scooters in the world, all acquired by Nigel Cox. At least one of the models produced between Oct 1947 and May 1971 is here - 61 in total. The museum also has Lambretta memorabilia including posters, promotional material, sales leaflets, magazines, toys and models.
Tel: 01934 614614 Open: Ring before visiting. Location Map |
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North Somerset Museum Burlington Street, Weston-super-Mare |
This museum illustrates the history of North Somerset from pre-historic times to the present day. Finds from Worlebury Hill Fort are on display and other exhibits include minerals, natural history, costume, a chemist shop, dentist and dairy. Adjacent to the museum is Claras Cottage, dating from 1864 where the Parlour, Kitchen and Bedroom are as they would have been when Clara Payne lived here with her husband and four children in 1900. Collection of dolls and toys and inter-active areas including the Archaeo-zone to stimulate interest of archaeology. Museum shop. Refreshments available in the courtyard.
Tel: 01934 621028 Open: Mon-Sat: 10:00-16:30 Closed 25/26 Dec, 1 Jan Location Map |
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Weston-super-Mare Heritage Centre 3/6 Wadham Street, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1JY |
This centre illustrates Victorian Weston-super-Mare. Gift shop and a popular coffee shop.
Tel: 01934 412144 Open: Mon-Sat: 10:00-16:30 Location Map |
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SeaQuarium Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1BE |
SeaQuarium stands on its own pier, the first to be built in Britain for over 85 years. With its beach location the aquarium has views across the Bristol Channel to Wales. Over 25 displays allowing visitors to see aquatic life from local waters and regions of the world. An underwater tunnel lets visitors get close to the sharks, rays and other creatures as they swim by. Live presentations and feeding demonstrations throughout the day. Cafe, offering spectacular views, and a gift shop.
Tel: 01934 613361 Open: Daily: 10:00-16:00 Call for winter times Location Map |
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Birnbeck Pier, Weston-super-Mare |
Birnbeck Pier, Weston-super-Mare's original pier, opened in 1867. Designed by Eugenius Birch, who was responsible for 14 piers around the coast of Britain including Blackpool and Brighton. Located at the northern limit of the seafront, Birnbeck Pier is unique in being the only British pier to link the mainland to a small offshore island. Steamers using the piers jetties brought daytrippers to Weston-super-Mare from ports on both sides of the Bristol Channel. The pier offered refreshment rooms, reading rooms, amusement arcades and funfair rides. Many visitors just enjoyed the facilities on the pier and did not venture as far as the town so a new pier was built to attract more tourists into Weston. When the Grand Pier was opened in 1904 Birnbeck Pier began to suffer, although steamers still used it. The opening of the funfair on the Grand Pier in the 1930s signalled the gradual decline of Birnbeck Pier. In 1979 the last scheduled sailing from Birnbeck Pier was made by MV Balmoral. The pier suffered storm damage in 1990 and was closed to the public in 1994.The Grade II listed structure is derelict and is on English Heritages list of endangered buildings. In 2006 it was purchased by the Manchester company, Urban Splash, who plan to regenerate the pier and island.
Open: Not open to the public Location Map |
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Worlebury Hill Fort, Weston-super-Mare |
Overlooking Weston-super-Mare are the ruins of a 2,000 year old stronghold known as Worlebury Hill Fort. This was built in the Iron Age on an earlier Bronze Age site. The elevated site, edged by the sea and marsh, would have been easy for the inhabitants to defend. Excavations in the 1850s revealed massive pits cut into the hill. It is thought that the pits would have been used initially as grain storage and some were later used as burial pits. Finds from Worlebury Hill Fort are on display in the North Somerset Museum.
Location Map |
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Ellenborough Park, Weston-super-Mare |
Ellenborough Park is located at the centre of Weston-super-Mare, just inland from the beach. Ellenborough Park East includes a children's play area, opened in 2005. The park is on the site of a former sand dune system of the Bristol Channel. This was enclosed in the 19th century but the sandy soil supports a short-tuft grassland believed to be a remnant of the original dune grassland. Because of its scientific importance the Ellenborough Park West has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Rare plants here include the Branched Horestail and Smooth Rupturewort.
Location Map |
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Jills Garden Grove Park, Weston-super-Mare |
Jills Garden, created in Grove Park in 2001, is a touching horticultural tribute to Jill Dando. The popular TV presenter, born in Weston-super-Mare in 1931, was murdered in 1999. Jills Garden, created by the BBC Ground Force team, was designed to provide all year round interest, with emphasis on the summer. Many of the plants have interesting textures and scents. Grove Park, located at the centre of the town, has many other beautiful floral displays. There is also a cafe and in the summer concerts are held in the bandstand.
Location Map |
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Weston Miniature Railway Beach Lawns, Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare |
Westons popular 7.25 gauge miniature railway operates along the southern end of Marine Parade at Royal Sands. Steam or diesel hauled trains carry passengers along a half mile track. Also has a 18-hole putting green and under 10s can try to Drive Your Own Tram down its own track. Refreshments, gift shop.
Tel: 01934 643510 Open: Daily Jun-mid-Sept: 10:00-17:00 Location Map |
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Blakehay Theatre & Community Arts Wadham Street, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1JZ |
The Blakehay, with its 200 seat auditorium and two studios, is used for performances, meetings and exhibitions. The Blakehay has a resident actors company and is home to the Blakehay Puppet Company. The Theatre in an attractive Victorian building dating from 1850, formally the towns first Baptist Church and first public building. During WW II the building was gutted by incendiary bombs but rebuilt inside its 19th century shell. Although operating as usual, the building is undergoing refurbishment.
Tel: 01934 645493 Location Map |
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Playhouse Theatre High Street, Weston-super-Mare |
With its versatile auditorium, seating up to 658, the theatre stages a wide variety of performances including ballet, drama, opera, pantomime and comedy. The Playhouse Theatre was established in 1946 when the Market Hall, dating from 1868, was converted into 500 seat theatre. In 1964 the Victorian building was destroyed by fire but was rebuilt on the same site. The Playhouse Theatre re-opened in 1969.
Tel: Box Office 01934 645 544 Location Map |
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Winter Gardens Royal Parade, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1AQ |
The Winter Gardens, located to the north of the Grand Pier, opened in 1927. In 1989 the striking seafront venue was refurbished and extended into Town Square Gardens. The Winter Gardens hosts shows, exhibitions and conferences.
Tel: 01934 417117 Location Map |
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Odeon Cinema The Centre, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1UR |
Westons fine Art Deco cinema opened in 1935 - designed by T.Cecil Howitt, with a curve of canopied shops. One of the original Odeon Theatres, the cinema featured a Compton organ which still plays today on special occasions. In 1973 the building was divided to provide one main screen and two smaller screens, and a fourth screen was added in 1991. The Grade II listed building stands on a prime corner site and is covered in cream fiance tiles, the building is dominated by a square tower.
Tel: Box Office:0871 22 44 007 Location Map |
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Where
To Stay in Weston-super-Mare
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Guest
Houses, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns and Other Hotels
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Cheapest room - based on price data supplied
Prices from: £45 a room
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95 Locking Road Weston-Super-Mare BS23 3EW MAP
Just 3 miles off J21 of the M5, Saxonia Guest House is a charming Victorian house that has been fully modernized. Close to the centre of town yet far enough out to be away from the hustle & bustle.
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Cheapest room - based on price data supplied
Prices from: £40 a room
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Sedgemoor Service Area Junction 21/22, M5 Northbound Weston-Super-Mare BS24 0JL MAP
Days Inn Sedgemoor offers easy access to visit Weston-Super-Mare and the surrounding countryside.
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Cheapest room - based on price data supplied
Prices from: £23 a room
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6 - 10 Madeira Road Weston-Super-Mare BS23 2EX MAP
This privately-run coach touring hotel offers efficient and friendly service in a quiet location just off the seafront, where you can capture views of the bay from the terrace.
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Cheapest room - based on price data supplied
Prices from: £65 a room
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55-57 Birnbeck Road Weston-Super-Mare BS23 2EJ MAP
Situated next to Birbeck Pier on the edge of the Bristol Channel, this hotel boasts beautiful views spanning across South Wales, Devon, Exmoor and Weston-Super-Mare bay.
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Cheapest room - based on price data supplied
Prices from: £40.5 a room
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25 Clevedon Road Weston-Super-Mare BS23 1DA MAP
Oakover Guest House is a beautiful house built in 1870, situated in an ideal location in Weston-super-Mare. Only 150 metres from the Sea-front, Parks, Local Shops and Restaurants. Town Centre, Golf course & Station 1/2 mile.
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Edingworth Road Edingworth Weston-Super-Mare BS24 0JB MAP
A 16th century Manor House, set in 6 acres of landscaped gardens featuring a lake and waterfalls, illuminated after dark and overlooking the Mendips.Ample Parking Tennis Court Table Tennis Conference Facilities..
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near Lympsham Weston-super-Mare
Set within 60 acres of farmland backed by the Mendip Hills, just 4 miles from the vast sandy beaches at Brean and Barrow, these six charming cottages provide the ideal base for exploring this lovely corner of England. Sympathetically converted from… Sleeps 2 - 12
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Around
The Weston-super-Mare Area
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Tourist Information on Nearby Towns To Visit - straight line distance:
Kewstoke (1.67 miles) Steep Holm (5.90 miles) Flat Holm (6.63 miles) Congresbury (7.41 miles) Burnham-on-Sea (7.61 miles) Clevedon (7.81 miles) Axbridge (7.92 miles) Cheddar (9.88 miles) Nailsea (10.94 miles) Bristol Airport (12.05 miles) Wraxall (12.46 miles) |
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Our
Hotel Booking Line
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Call
0870 4786316
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