Burnham Main Beach

A guide to the beaches at Burnham-on-Sea, Berrow & Brean.

There are eight beaches in the Burnham area, all of which are within 15 minutes of junction 22 of the M5 motorway. They are surrounded by entertainment, hotels and other accommodation.

Patrolled by lifeguards 10am-6pm from May 1st to Sept 30th

Dogs are banned from this beach all year

Parking is available on the seafront & at B&M

Public toilets and showers are available at the Tourist Information Centre

Burnham South Beach

This beach offers sand near the jetty, with pebbles, mud and marshland further south near the River Parrett.

This beach is excellent for watching boats come in and out of the bay and also for spotting seabirds as they fly in from Stert and the nearby Apex Wildlife Park. The sea wall steps provide good seats.

Dogs are banned from May 1st – Sept 30th

Parking is available on the seafront & at B&M

Public toilets and showers are available at the Tourist Information Centre

Burnham North Beach

A mixture of sand and mud. With the sea wall nearby, families can sit on the steps and watch their youngsters play.

Several pubs are close by and the town’s shops and pier are all within easy reach. It is very dangerous to approach the sea at low tide here.

Dogs are banned from May 1st – Sept 30th

Parking is available on the seafront

Public toilets are available at Burnham Swimming Pool

Beach Lighthouse Area

This is the start of a six mile length of beach offering wide-open expanses of sand with dunes at the top of the beach. You have to see the famous lighthouse on wooden stilts.

This beach is patrolled by wardens from May 1st to September 30th. Take note that it is very dangerous to approach the sea at low tide due to sinking sand and mud. The nearest parking is Burnham seafront, you can then walk out to the lighthouse in about 15 minutes.

Dogs are welcome all year

Very little parking in this area

There are no public toilets in this area

Berrow Beach

A six mile length of beach with sand dunes and firm sand, which is the second longest stretch of sand in Europe.

Features include secluded sand dunes, the famous Ship Wreck, and marshland that attracts various seabirds. At low tide a wide exposure of soft sand and mud is exposed leading to the water’s edge, but note that it is very dangerous to approach the water at low tide. The beach is patrolled by wardens from May 1st to September 30th.

Horses are welcome all year

Dogs are welcome all year

Short Stay – Church | Longer Stay – The beach

There are no public toilets in this area

Brean Beach

Brean Beach is part of a six mile length of beach with sand dunes and firm sand, which is the second longest stretch of sand in Europe.

The beach is great for families wanting Ice creams and fast food are often sold on the beach at the car park area in spring and summer. At low tide a wide exposure of soft sand and mud is exposed leading to the water’s edge, but note that it is very dangerous to approach the water at low tide. The beach is patrolled by wardens from May 1st to September 30th. Visitors should respect the warning notices about the dangers of mud along this beach.

Horses are welcome all year

Dogs are welcome all year

Parking on the beach in designated areas

There are no public toilets in this area

Brean Down

A superb stretch of beach with firm sand and views of Brean Down. At low tide a wide exposure of soft sand and mud is exposed leading to the water’s edge.

The beach is patrolled by wardens from May 1st to September 30th. Remember that the tide rises faster near Brean Down and it is also dangerous to approach the water at low tide due to mud. You should respect the warning notices and keep off the rocks of the Down as they can be slippery, especially when wet. Climbing is not allowed and is extremely dangerous. Visitors to Brean Down should use the steps or roadway near the Bird Garden.

Horses are welcome all year

Dogs are welcome all year

Parking on the beach in designated areas & National Trust car park (5 min walk)

Public toilets are available next to the Brean Down cafe

River Axe Estuary

This is a stretch of mud and pebbles at the far eastern end of Brean Down next to the River Axe.

It is a rapidly-flowing tidal area with dangerous mud and sinking sand. Visitors to this area should head warnings about never attempting to cross the river on foot. Uphill and Weston-super-Mare cannot be reached by this route as the mud and tides have claimed lives here in the past.

Nearest Parking is the National Trust car park, next to Brean Down (5 min walk)

• It is very dangerous to approach the sea at low tide across all the beaches. Sinking sand and mud have claimed lives. CHECK THE TIDE TIMES.
• Red flags displayed on Burnham-On-Sea’s main beach mean that is unsafe to enter the sea.
• Children should be supervised at ALL times.
• Motorcycles are not permitted on the beaches, including the dunes, at any time.

• Learner drivers are not permitted on the beaches at any time.
• Drivers must obey the 15mph speed limit at all times.
• It is strictly prohibited to take any vehicle into the sand dunes.
• Stay away from river banks. The mud in the Rivers Axe and Parrett is very dangerous.

• Dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard. The Coastguard is responsible for dealing with all marine emergencies and will call out a lifeboat or hovercraft if required.

• Emergency telephones are available at Berrow at Unity Farm Caravan Park and at Warren Farm Caravan Park on Brean.
• If on the sea, call Channel 16 VHF.

• Never swim alone.
• Always check tide times in advance. Check today’s tide times.

• Never swim within one hour of eating.
• Only use inflatables very close to the shore and at high tide when there is no wind.