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Located on the scenic Severn Estuary, not far from the Severn Bridge that connects England with Wales, Bristol is a vibrant city with access to many coastal inlets, remote beauty spots and Victorian seaside towns. These beaches near Bristol have some of the most unique views and striking scenery in the UK.
The best beaches near Bristol less than an hour away
When it comes to finding beaches near Bristol, seaside lovers are spoilt for choice. This southern city has a wealth of family-friendly beaches that are quick and easy to reach by car or on public transport. So, whether you want a day at the fair, a seafront picnic or an epic sandcastle competition, these Bristol beaches should be at the top of your list.
1. Weston-Super-Mare Beach
- Distance from Bristol: 23 miles (50 minutes)
With its grand Victorian pier and pleasure arcade, sandy shore and classic seaside attractions, Weston-Super-Mare Beach near Bristol is ideal for a family day out. Younger kids will love the vintage fairground rides and soft play area. Meanwhile, older kids and teens can race around the indoor Go-Kart track or try out the virtual reality attractions.
The sandy beach and calm waters are perfect for paddling, building sandcastles and donkey rides, making it a great location for a cheap family holiday by the sea.
There are plenty of places to eat and drink on the pier and beachfront promenade. It takes around 50 minutes to reach Weston-Super-Mare by car from Bristol. To get there on public transport, you can take the Great Western Railway line towards Penzance.
2. Burnham-on-Sea
- Distance from Bristol: 30 miles (50 minutes)
Burnham-on-Sea is one of the best seaside towns in the UK, complete with sandy shores, a beachfront promenade and lifeguards on watch throughout the summer months. Located just a 50-minute drive from the city, this Bristol beach is perfect for an afternoon getaway or a long weekend. Parking is available near the seafront, meaning you can load up the car with deckchairs and water toys and not have too far to carry them.
You can also reach Burnham-on-Sea by train in around two hours via the Great Western Railway line heading towards Taunton. You’ll find public toilets and shower facilities located nearby at the Tourist Information Centre, but it’s worth noting dogs are not permitted on the beach during the summer months, from May to September.
3. Sand Bay Beach
- Distance from Bristol: 24 miles (50 minutes)
Sand Bay Beach is a rugged spot in North Somerset offering scenic coastal walks and a dog-friendly space for pets to explore. The beach is a 50-minute drive from Bristol, making it ideal if you want to bundle your dogs in the car and set off. You can also travel there in around an hour and 40 minutes via public transport, catching the National Express 100 bus or the Great Western Railway line.
Once at the beach, you can stroll along the shore to the Nature Reserve at Sand Point and check out the amazing views from the headland. Sand Bay Beach is a real treat for nature lovers who want to escape the city and enjoy some peace and quiet. You’ll find paid car parks available at both ends of the beach.
4. Severn Beach
- Distance from Bristol: 10 miles (30 minutes)
While perhaps not the most scenic Bristol beach, Severn Beach is a brilliant place to walk the dogs and offers striking views of the Severn Bridge and the river estuary. The beach is open to dogs all year round and the lengthy stretch of rugged coast, leading all the way along the Severn Way Trail, has some photogenic lookout points.
Although the beach is largely stoney with lots of large boulders, the walkway under the bridge is flat and accessible. Just be sure to check the tide times, as the path is sometimes submerged at high tide.
The area around Severn Beach is also a haven for birdlife and a popular spot with keen birdwatchers, so don’t forget your binoculars. Severn Beach is located around 30 minutes by car and 40 minutes by train on the Great Western Railway line from Bristol. The estuary beach is also around an hour from Bath, making it one of the closest beaches to both Bath and Bristol.
5. Portishead Beach
- Distance from Bristol: 11 miles (30 minutes)
Located slightly further down the Severn Estuary from Severn Beach, Portishead Beach is an understated sandy bay perfect for a romantic walk. The shoreline has gorgeous riverfront views and a trail to Battery Point Lighthouse, where you can look out over the Bristol Channel.
Behind the beach, you’ll find the charming woodland grounds around Marine Lake and a café. Car parks are available near the lake and at the north end of the beachfront esplanade.
There’s also a well-maintained open-air pool, where you can swim all year round. To get to Portishead by car takes around 30 minutes, making it ideal for a quick after-work trip or a weekend excursion.
6. Clevedon Beach
- Distance from Bristol: 14 miles (30 minutes)
Clevedon Beach is around a 30-minute drive or an hour and 10-minute train journey from Bristol. A pebbly, narrow bay, this beach is known for its striking vistas of the elegant Victorian Clevedon Pier and its calming views of the Severn Estuary. With plenty of shops and cafés nearby, it’s a great place to go for a romantic dinner and then enjoy a stroll along the beach or to sit and watch the sun go down over the River Severn.
Best beaches near Bristol less than two hours away
The Bristol Channel off the south coast of Wales offers some of the best beaches in the whole of the UK. Whether you want to hit the surf or spend your time hiking and enjoying rugged scenery, these great nearby beaches have it all.
7. Rest Bay
- Distance from Bristol: 66 miles (an hour and a half)
Rest Bay in Porthcawl is a surfer’s paradise and is one of the best beaches in Wales for riding the swell. This sandy stretch of coast is around an hour and a half’s drive from Bristol via the M4. Although it only takes around an hour longer on public transport, the journey involves a few stops, so I prefer to load up the car when visiting Rest Bay.
Taking the car also means you can pack your surfboard, though if you’re travelling on public transport, you can source equipment at the Porthcawl Surf Shop and water sports centre.
Re-energise after your time in the sea with a traditional Italian ice cream from one of the seaside parlours. This coastal area also offers gorgeous nature walks and stunning views of the Bristol Channel.
8. Ogmore-by-Sea
- Distance from Bristol: 64 miles (one hour and 20 minutes)
Ogmore-by-Sea is a gorgeous rural spot that’s great for those who love hiking and visiting areas with rugged scenery. The sandy bay is surrounded by grassy cliffs and the beach has lots of rockpools when the tide goes out. Ogmore-by-Sea is also a popular destination for fossil hunters and is just a short hike from the ancient ruins of Ogmore Castle.
Ogmore is also a short distance from Merthyr Maw Nature Reserve, where you can enjoy beautiful walks. Ogmore-by-Sea is located in Wales, not far from Porthcawl, and can be reached by car in around an hour and 20 minutes from Bristol. On public transport, this journey can take just over two hours but often involves several changes. Accessible toilets and a car park close to the beach means this is a perfect destination for a road trip.
Best beaches near Bristol around two hours away
If you’re looking for beautiful beaches near Bristol and don’t mind spending a little longer in the car, these are the spots for you. These gorgeous beaches have a peaceful vibe and breathtaking scenery, making them perfect for weekend getaways.
9. Oxwich Bay Beach
- Distance from Bristol: 93 miles (just over two hours)
Another South Wales beach that’s ideal for a road trip is Oxwich Bay Beach in Swansea – one of the best beaches near Bristol for gorgeous scenery and water sports. Oxwich Bay Beach is just over a two-hour drive from Bristol and is home to the Oxwich Bay Water Sports Centre, where keen swimmers can try out activities like kayaking, windsurfing and sailing. The centre provides training and sessions for different experience levels, including kids’ sessions.
If you’re looking for something more low-key, Oxwich Bay is also a gorgeous place for a hike, with stunning scenery all around the cove. The beach also has calm waters, making it a lovely place to paddle. However, visitors going in the water who are not with the Sports Centre should be aware that there are no lifeguards. Paid parking and public toilets are available close by.
10. Bossington Beach
- Distance from Bristol: 78 miles (two hours)
If you want to find a beach that has plenty of space for your dog to run around on, Bossington Bay near Minehead is located inside Exmoor National Park and is an incredible place for a day out. Bossington Bay is a shingle beach and has striking views across the Bristol Channel.
Stroll along the waterfront and enjoy that feeling of getting away from it all or, if you’re feeling intrepid, head up to the Hurlstone Point hiking area and try out the coastal trails.
The marshy wetlands around the beach are a haven for local wildlife, but strong tides mean that the beach is not suitable for swimming. It takes around two hours to get to Bossington Bay by car.
Conclusion
While not usually thought of as a coastal town, Bristol has a surprising number of great seaside spots and some of the best beaches in the UK located nearby. Whether you love to hop on a train and head to the coast or you’re planning a scenic road trip with your pets, these incredible beaches near Bristol are well worth exploring.
Want to branch out and find more great travel experiences in the UK? Check out these road trip tips and KAYAK’s handy UK National Parks itinerary for further wanderlust inspiration.
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