Weston-super-Mare Beach

A seaside beach with a long way to the water

Weston-super-Mare’s beach runs along the front of the resort, with the Grand Pier, which opened in 1904, and Knightstone Island marking the limits of the council’s dog zones. The upper beach is sand. At low tide the sea is a long way off, and the council warns of soft sand and sinking mud. North Somerset Council cleans the beach every day except Christmas Day. It also lends a free beach wheelchair from its seafront office on Marine Parade; book ahead and check the session times on the council’s page.

Mud, tides and the sea

North Somerset has the second highest tidal range in the world, and the council says the tide can come in very fast. Its water safety page says there is soft sand and sinking mud, which can be dangerous if you become stuck, and that when the tide is out you should not try to walk out to the sea. Check tide times before you set off and know where the exits are. If you or anyone else gets stuck, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

There is no lifeguard service. Seafront Rangers patrol the main beach daily, and their hours change month by month, so check the council’s seafront safety page. Children and non-swimmers must be supervised at all times.

Dogs

The rules change along the front, so read the council’s animals on the beach page before you travel. Dogs are not allowed between the Grand Pier and Royal Sands from 1 May to 30 September, 9am to 7pm. They are allowed at any time between the Grand Pier and Knightstone Island, and between Royal Sands and Uphill. On the promenade all dogs must be on a lead, and Weston Marine Lake is closed to dogs other than guide or assistance dogs.

What else is on the front

Bathing facilities were first built on Knightstone Island in 1820, and the Marine Lake opened in 1929. The council’s seafront pages mention kitesurfing, windsurfing and wing foiling in Weston Bay, plus beach huts and the SEE MONSTER garden on Beach Lawns. Fires are not allowed unless part of an organised activity licensed by the Seafront Team, and barbecues must be raised off the sand and fully put out.

For the town itself, see Weston-super-Mare. If you want a quieter, dune-backed beach with dogs welcome all year, Sand Bay is about two miles north.