Bristol is an energetic and diverse city that is an excellent location for the trendy across the UK. The city is an ideal vacation spot across southwest England. Bristol is loved by many for its arts, diversity, rich and eventful history, and a spot for food lovers. Though the city is built around water, there are no beaches in Bristol. However, there are many stunning beaches in the region, just within a short drive of Bristol where you can spend some amazing time by the sea.
For beaches near Bristol city, head to the coast. Here you will find a collection of charming, sandy Bristol beaches where you can feel the sand on your feet and inhale the sea air. Here are some of the best beaches in Bristol you can visit.
Nearest Beaches To Bristol City
Ladye Bay, Somerset
This little beach is one of the most beautiful Bristol beaches on the Somerset coast. A quiet stretch of sand snuggled between rocks and densely vegetated cliffs. It’s a beautiful location where you can enjoy the sun, listen to the waves crash, and build sandcastles.
However, swimming is not recommended here if you’re not a confident swimmer because of its high tides. The good news is there is Clevedon’s Sea pool, a part of the sea built for swimming slightly further along the beach.
Ladye bay is also a popular climbing spot with a variety of climbs. If you fancy watching swimming competitions, Ladye Bay hosts the annual “Long swim,” which covers about a mile down Clevedon Pier. This is a dog-friendly beach all year round, and is also suitable for fishing.
Clevedon Beach, North Somerset
This is one of the nearest beaches to Bristol. The long, sandy, pebble beach runs southwest from Clevedon, an old Victorian seaside resort at the mouth of the River Severn. There is also a promenade that overlooks the beautiful beach.
The beach is famous because of its many facilities, making it a family favorite. There are several places to eat, a sports center, an arcade, and a golf course. Kids will enjoy exploring the rock pools, stacking pebbles, finding fossils, and watching boats sail by.
The water quality is five-star rated, making it excellent for swimming. The beach is also suitable for fishing, but note that dogs are restricted.
Sand Bay, Somerset
This wild and breathtaking beach is one of Bristol’s beaches with a good view. It is a long expanse of sand and shingle, lying just two miles north of Weston-Super-Mare.
Also known as “Weston’s hidden gem,” this is the beach for you if you’re looking for a place where you can escape from the crowd. This beach is famous among walkers taking in the sea air; you can also take your furry pal for a walk as dogs are allowed all year round.
Enjoy a day on Sand bay with your family, sunbathing, swimming, or just listening to the waves wash the shore. There aren’t many facilities here, but you can go horse riding, swim, and grab a treat from the ice cream stand.
Popular Beaches In Bristol
Ogmore Beach, Glamorgan
Ogmore is one of the famous beaches near Bristol, along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. This sand and shingle beach, with the sandy part exposed to low tide, is renowned for being of the cleanest beaches in the region.
If you’re looking for a perfect spot for a family adventure, this is an ideal place. The beach boasts a variety of activities, including surfing, fishing, diving, rock pooling, and kayaking. Remember to go in your swimming costume because the blue water is great for paddling and swimming.
The beach is dog-friendly; you can go with your furry friends so they can play, walk and run on the beach. There are also cafes, pubs, and restaurants where you can grab a bite after a fun day on the beach.
Whitemore Bay, Vale of Glarmorgan
Also known as Barry Island, this charming stretch of golden sand is one of the most beautiful beaches near Bristol. A broad promenade flanks the fine sands. Beautiful beach huts and deck chairs line the beach shore.
This beach is a little bit further than other Bristol beaches, but it is worth the hour drive because the beach has everything to offer. There are a lot of attractions, including amusement arcades, crazy golf, climbing walls, and horse and carriage rides to keep the whole family entertained.
It is also perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and a peaceful walk on the promenade. You can also enjoy the remarkable view of the Bristol Channel or explore rock pools and build sand castles. There are cafes and restaurants where you can eat fish, chips, and ice cream.
This is an excellent beach for kids because there are so many things to do that they may not want to leave.
Southern Down, Glamorgan
Also known as Dunraven Bay, this sandy and rocky beach is one of the most beautiful Bristol beaches to watch the sunset. The beautiful blue water is enticing to take a dip in. If you fancy fossils, there are loads of them to be found within the rocks; it is one of the best beaches in Bristol for fossil hunters.
The beach is famous for swimming and water sports like canoeing and surfing. This is an ideal beach for a family day by the sea, as kids can explore rock pools and build sandcastles. You can go with your dog in some months of the year, but dogs are banned from May 1 to September 30.
Kilve Beach, Somerset
Kilve beach lies between Minehead and Bridgwater in the heart of the Quantocks. The shoreline is quite rocky, meaning there are loads of rock pools for kids to explore. If you love picnics, you’re at the right place because there is a large grassy area behind the beach where you can picnic.
Kilve beach is considered one of the best beaches near Bristol because of the stretch of sand and rock, with shale and limestone strata forming beautiful geometric patterns. It is also easy to spot ammonites and other fossils because it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest; you must not remove fossils from the cliffs or bedrock.
You can also take a walk with your furry friends as dogs are allowed all year round.
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Best Beaches In Bristol For Families
Weston-Super-Mare Beach, North Somerset
Possibly one of the most popular beaches near Bristol, Weston-Super-Mare is a beachside resort with a lot of Victorian architecture. A vast expanse of golden sand and clear water with a stunning view. It also has a great grand pier, promenade, and ferris wheel.
This Bristal beach is a family favorite because of the many amusements to enjoy here. It is a great place to relax, play, walk and swim. Arcades, donkey rides, and a lot more are available. The area is also excellent for sandcastle building, surfing, Jet skiing, and sunbathing.
However, do take extra caution when swimming here as a vast expanse of dangerous mudflats is exposed at low tides. Dogs are restricted here are they are not permitted on some parts of the beach.
Brean Beach, Somerset
This 7-mile stretch of sandy beauty is one of the longest beaches near Bristol, making it the perfect place to take a stroll. You can take your pet for a walk here as dogs are allowed all year round. If you’re a water sports enthusiast, you will love this spot.
Brean beach is easily accessible as there is plenty of parking space nearby and on the beach. This is popular among families to relax, sunbathe and build sandcastles. Jet-skiing, kite surfing, sailing, and windsurfing are some of the activities you can enjoy here.
There are ice cream and burger vans on the beach where you can grab a bite. The beach is also ideal for picnics.
Minehead Beach, Somerset
Minehead, also known as The Strand, is a vast sandy expanse with some shingle areas and different rock pools. As the tide goes out, this sandy stretch of the beach becomes ideal for beach games and sandcastle building. The promenade is lined with hotels and apartments, and a holiday camp.
This is one of the beaches in Bristol that families fancy as it offers many amusements and sea sides activities to keep kids happy. You can enjoy a day by the beach with your family just surfing, swimming, rock pooling, or windsurfing.
The beach can get quite busy during the holiday season, which can get crowded. Dogs are not allowed from the beginning of May till the end of September.
Burnham Beach, Somerset
Also known as Burnham-on-Sea, this charming sandy beach is one of the not-so-popular beaches near Bristol. Therefore, it is the ideal place for you if you want to escape the crowd and enjoy the seaside.
Home to the shortest pier in England, the Burnham beach promenade is lined with Victorian and Edwardian guest houses. Enjoy your time at the beach with your family, swimming, sunbathing, and building sand castles.
This is another family favorite Bristol beach because there are many entertainments like arcades, jet-skiing, donkey rides, and sailing. Dogs are not allowed from May 1 to September 31; take note of this before going with your furry friends.
Best Beaches In Bristol For Surfing
Uphill Slipway Beach, North Somerset
If you need a place away from the hustle and bustle of Weston-Super-Mare, Uphill Slipway beach is the perfect place for you. This dazzling beach is at the Southern end of Weston-super-Mare. However, as you would see in Weston, there aren’t many facilities here.
This beach is famous for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Parking on the beach is permitted, making setting up a picnic much easier. Another good thing about this Bristol beach is that it is a natural reserve set back from the beach near the marina.
The expansive sandy beach is suitable for sand castle building, sunbathing, and swimming. Dogs are allowed all year round, meaning you can also take your dog on a walk here. Uphill Slipway beach is a must-visit for nature lovers.
Rest Bay, Porthcawl
Rest Bay is one of the most popular surfing beaches near Bristol. The picturesque golden, sandy beach is backed by The Royal Porthcawl Golf Club and low cliffs. The beach is long, making it a favorite among walkers and families.
If you are a water sports lover, you will love Rest Bay, as the beach has zoning for water spots. The beach is suitable for kite surfing and windsurfing because the waves are pretty large.
You can also engage in other activities at Rest Bay when waves aren’t too big: fishing, swimming, and canoeing. You can also explore rock pools and different marine life. Dogs are restricted on this beach.
Best Beaches In Bristol For Strolls
Portishead Beach, Portishead
About 10 miles away from Bristol, this is one of the casual beaches near Bristol. This small pebbled beach offers views of Southeast Wales. A walk along the coast will take you to the marina and a little pier, where you can watch luxury yachts come in and out.
Swimming is not advised here because of the tide’s strength and the water’s cold temperature. Sandcastle building may not be possible here since the beach, like all Estuary beaches, is a muddy and rocky beach with little sand.
That said, there are rock pools and salt marsh to explore. You can take your dog for a walk as well. Also, there is a park with a playground directly opposite the beach where children can play as well as a small lake.
Berrow Beach, Somerset
Berrow beach is another dog-friendly Bristol beach where you can take your dog for a walk all year round. Your kids will love Berrow beach because it is a great place to build sandcastles. The beach is about 6 miles long, so it doesn’t get crowded.
This stunning large beach is a favorite among walkers, horse riders, fishermen, and beach sports lovers. It is also quieter than most Bristol beaches, making it an ideal place to watch the sunset and sunbathe.
It’s possible to walk north towards Brean or South towards the lighthouse at Burnham-in-Sea from Berrow beach. Since the beach is facing west, you can catch spectacular sunsets here.
Where to Stay In Bristol
If you are staying in Bristol to enjoy the region, there are many accommodation options catering to different budgets. Here are some well-rated accommodations close to the city center.
Ibis Bristol Center
This modern hotel is located in Bristol’s vibrant Harborside area, one of the best areas in the city as many attractions are close to the hotel. It is affordable with excellent services and facilities—the hotel boast of a stylish bar and café restaurant. Guests also enjoy a breakfast buffet with a varied menu. It is great to spend the night after a day on the beach.
The Bristol Marriot Royal Hotel
After exploring Bristol, this is one of the best hotels in a fabulous location to spend the night. This Victorian-style hotel is next to Bristol Cathedral and the historic waterfront. Some of Bristol’s museums and galleries are 10 minutes walk from the hotel.
The hotel has an on-site gym, a bar, and a choice of restaurants. Some rooms in the hotel have views of the river, while others have views of Bristol Cathedral.
The Bristol Hotel
This elegant hotel is located right in the heart of Bristol, on the quayside of the Floating Harbor. The hotel is 10 minutes walk from Brunel’s SS Great Britain. The hotel boast of stylish rooms with modern furniture and a riverside restaurant. Many of the rooms have views across the harbor. There is a riverside lounge and a Bar.
YHA Bristol
If you are more of a hostel person, YHA Bristol is a high quality hostel restored from a former waterfront grain house. Despite that, it is clean and modern with spacious common areas to hang out with other travelers. There’s a cafe bar right in the lobby as well that is a good space for the traveling remote worker. The hostel also offers both dorms and private rooms.
Enjoying The Best Bristol Beaches
These are just some of the best beaches in Bristol or nearby towns that you can explore. If you need a seaside adventure in Bristol, consider checking out some of them for a fun time.
With the number of options available in the region, there is a Bristol beach that will meet your need. Whether you need a quiet and relaxing time by the sea or an action-filled time, there is a beach in or near Bristol perfect for you.
