One of the best cities to live in the UK, Bristol is a fascinating city set alongside the banks of the River Avon. It is one of those cities around the world that adores art, culture, and science. Bristol has many unique things that you can’t find in any other city, there are historical buildings, vibrant nightlife, lovely graffiti, spectacular shops, and a lot more.
One of the best things about visiting Bristol is that you’re never far from the water, you can take a walk to reach the harbour side or plunge on a drive to nearby beaches. Here’s a list of the best nearby beach options near Bristol, UK that will definitely satisfy your mood for a sandy getaway.
List of best 9 nice beaches near Bristol in 2024:
1. Weston Super Mare Beach
Just a 45-minute drive and 42km from the city centre of Bristol, Weston Super Mare Beach resort is situated on one of the longest sandy beaches in Europe. Here, you will get to see a lot of caravan parks and beautiful shorelines.
Talking about the surroundings, the Weston Super Mare Beach is a famous landmark to enjoy the 360-degree views of the Somerset & Briston channel, ruins of the Victorian fort, and beautiful cliff walls.
Whether it be entertainment, food, or photography, this beach resort has a lot to offer.
Visitors can enjoy water sports and other entertainment activities at the Water Adventure Play Park. Don’t forget to visit the Grand Pier, it is a must-visit attraction to enjoy thrilling rides, a go-kart track, and a lot more.
Accessibility: Weston Super Mare Beach is situated at a distance of 42km from the city centre of Bristol and can be easily reached via public and private transport.
2. Ogmore-by-Sea Beach
One of the most popular sand beaches to visit in Bristol, just a 100 km distance and 1 hour 45 minutes drive from the main city of Bristol, the Ogmore-by-Sea Beach is located between the heritage coast of Bridgend and Llantwit Major.
Ogmore-by-Sea Beach is also known as one of the cleanest beaches in the Uk. It is famous as a landmark for enjoying the panoramic views of the Tusker rock and clifftops which are also home to sea divers.
Visitors flock to Ogmore-by-Sea Beach every weekend to enjoy a memorable getaway with multiple exciting activities like swimming, surfing, fishing, and walking. Moreover, visitors can enjoy scrumptious food, and places to stay with panoramic sea views in the backdrop.
Accessibility: Ogmore-by-Sea Beach is situated at a distance of 100 km from the city centre of Bristol and can be easily reached via public and private transport.
3. Burnham-on-Sea
An award-winning sandy beach in the Somerset, just a 54 minutes drive and 43 km distance from the city centre of Bristol, the Burnham-on-Sea beach is a seaside resort situated on the edge of Somerset town.
This sandy beach has four zones, the main Burnham-on-Sea beach, Burnham-On-Sea South Beach, and Burnham-On-Sea North Beach. The main beach is popular among children for the activities like sandcastle, paddling, and sand digging. Here, visitors can enjoy sea views and local food while sitting on the sea wall.
The South and North Beach are excellent spots to view boats hovering over the ocean tides in silence with migratory sea birds screeching in the sky. Furthermore, visitors can also plunge into adrenaline-inducing activities like kite surfing and other water sports.
Accessibility: Ogmore-by-Sea Beach is situated at a distance of 43 km from the main city of Bristol and can be easily reached via public and private transport.
4. Sand Bay
Situated in the north of Weston-super-mare, just a 50 min drive and 38 km distance from the main city of Bristol, the Sand Bay beach is home to nature enthusiasts looking for a memorable escapade from bustling daily life.
Sand Bay is a most popular holiday destination and is also famous with beachcombers, and equestrians because of its long and flat expanse. There are various cafes and tea rooms on the beachfront that offer delicious local snacks.
Sand Bay is one of the ideal destinations to enjoy camping and caravan touring. Moreover, visitors can also hit nearby bars prominent to the beach to fill their travel content with the local culture.
Accessibility: Sand Bay is situated at a distance of 38 km from the main city of Bristol and can be easily reached via public and private transport.
5. Kilve Beach
A 1 hour and 30-minute drive along the beautiful shoreline and 75 km distance from the city centre of Bristol, Kilve Beach is popular as the Jurassic Coast of the Bristol Channel. The rocky shoreline, and large grassy expanse makes Kilve Beach an exciting place for photography and a quick getaway.
Kilve Beach is also home to beachcombers as this place has a lot of geological features, here you can see craggy rock cliffs that portray layers of yellow and brown blue fossils. This place has a natural abundance of its own, rock pooling and picnics are the other activities to experience amidst the soothing ambience of the Kilve beach.
Accessibility: Kilve Beach is situated at a distance of 75 km from the main city of Bristol and can be easily reached via public and private transport.
6. Clevedon Beach
An old Victorian seaside resort situated at a 41 km distance from the main city of Bristol, Clevedon Beach opens at the mouth of River Severn with tranquil shorelines and an admiring composition of shingles.
Clevedon Beach boasts a lot about Victorian ambience, this beach resort has the oldest pier in England. A lot of people visit here every summer to enjoy various bandstand performances.
At the beachfront, visitors can also indulge in various activities like golf, fishing, and horse riding. Moreover, kids can keep their boredom at bay with a visit to Salthouse Fields next to the beachfront, this place offers various attractions for children such as a donkey ride, a railway miniature, a play area, etc.
Accessibility: Clevedon Beach is situated at a distance of 41 km from the main city of Bristol and can be easily reached via public and private transport.
7. Minehead Seafront
Looking for a seaside weekend getaway with family or friends? Minehead Seafront is the perfect holiday destination situated 102 km distance from the main city of Bristol. Minehead Beachfront seeks a lot of attention from globetrotters because this beach resort rests amidst the breathtaking Quantock hills.
This long sandy beach is prominent to a spectacular harbor, particular shops, creative cafes, and a lot of iconic attractions. Talking about activities, here you spend a hold day playing a lot of beach games & other off-beat activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, axe throwing, climbing, and coasteering. Moreover, visitors can also enjoy playing golf with beach views in the backdrop at West Somerset Golf Club.
Accessibility: Minehead Seafront is situated at a distance of 200 km from the main city of Bristol and can be easily reached via public and private transport.
8. Portishead Beach
One of the closest estuary beaches to Bristol city at a distance of 18 km, the Portishead beach is much of a grassy beach with sand marsh and mud in the surroundings. The beachfront offers spectacular views of the South Wales Coast.
Visitors flock to this place to enjoy beach walking and family picnics. One can also visit nearby cafes and pubs to take a glimpse of the local culture. The Portishead beach is prominent to a lot of iconic attractions like the Portishead Open Air Pool swimming pool, Portishead Point Lighthouse a.k.a Battery Point Lighthouse, and Blackmore Point Lighthouse.
Accessibility: Portishead Beach is situated at a distance of 18 km from the main city of Bristol and can be easily reached via public and private transport.
9. Severn Beach
Just a 40-minute drive at a 30 km distance from the main city of Bristol, Severn beach is one of the hidden gems near Bristol. This place has a tranquil ambience of its own, the sidewalk follows the beautiful shoreline and offers endless sea views in the backdrop.
Despite, walking, the bird watching activity makes it an excellent spot for cycling and photography. Here, you can spot migratory birds like White-rumped Sandpipers, Terek Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpipers, and Temminck’s Stint.
Furthermore, following the sidewalk will take you to a nearby pier that is known for its romantic gaga and marvellous sunset views. Don’t forget to visit the local food, as the beach is prominent to various local bars and cafes.
Accessibility: Severn Beach is situated at a distance of 30 km from the main city of Bristol and can be easily reached via public and private transport.
End Note
While Bristol may not be famous for its beaches, the neighboring areas boast some hidden treasures for those who love the coast. From the breathtaking beaches of Weston-super-Mare and Cliveden to the peaceful allure of Sand Bay, these nearby beaches provide the perfect escape from city life. Experience the charm of the coast and embark on an unforgettable seaside excursion near Bristol.
