Things to do
The village of Brean has a rich history of coastal experience, the centrepiece being the extraordinary long and expansive sandy beach, the north end of which is framed by the Brean Down promontory.
Brean Down extends 1.5 milles into the Bristol Channel and is 318 feet high. It is actually an extension of the limestone Mendip Hills, famous for Cheddar Caves and Wookey Hole. The site has been inhabited since the late Bronze Age and more recently in 1865 a fort was built on the western end which was re-instated during World War Two. The promontory is owned by the National Trust and attracts walkers, wildlife enthusiasts and sightseers. The closeness to nature and landscape is one of many reasons why people visit Brean - the 360 degree views are breathtaking, with the islands of Steep Holm and Flat Holm in the Severn Estuary, Weston-super-Mare to the north, with the western end of the Mendip Hills, Crooks Peak, being majestic. Brent Knoll is formed from Blue Lias limestone and contains the remains of an Iron Age Hill Fort.
In the distance, across the world-famous Somerset Levels can be seen Glastonbury Tor. In the south west are views towards the Quantock Hills, another of Somerset's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
You can experience this for yourself by undertaking the National Trails Brean Down Circular Walk here - https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/short-routes/brean-down-circular/
A distance of 3 miles takes around two hours with easy to moderate grading.
Back at street level, another stimulating walk is the Berrow Beach Circular - https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/short-routes/berrow-circular/.
This starts at the car park of St Mary's Church at Berrow and is an easy walk with fantastic open coastal views as well as shaded woodland paths. On the shore, it takes in the wreck of the Nornen, still clearly visible after running aground during a storm in 1897.
This walk is tidal so do check tide times at www.tidetimes.org.uk before setting off.
Visitors from far and wide enjoy bringing their dogs to Brean. It is important on Brean Down to keep them on a lead for their own safety with the steep cliffs so accessible. However on the expansive beach there is no limit to getting those canine calories burnt off and having fun with families and walkers.
The National Trust cafe is open every day of the year except for Christmas Day and ideal to help sustain your walking and dog-exercising, with water bowls outside. Further along, the Brean Down cafe similarly welcomes dogs, also inside, and has positive reviews online about their Marshfield Scoop’s dog ice cream, and they even have a dog breakfast on the menu!
Cycling is also a popular thing to do in the area. The Brean Down Way is very popular - it's an 8 mile cycling route that crosses the River Axe and leads all the way to Weston-super-Mare's Grand Pier. You can hire bikes locally at breanbikehire.co.uk and the ride takes about an hour each way.
There are superb visitor attractions in Brean. Brean Leisure Park is the ideal day out, comprising a wide range of options.
Brean Theme Park has over 40 fantastic rides and attractions to suit all ages. From thrilling roller coasters, sky-divers and ghost trains - to gentle river boat rides and mini-coasters for children, there is something for everyone. You can see a full list of rides HERE.
Various food stalls are available within the theme park, or other eateries are just a short stroll away. Brean Theme Park is open from April – November.
The Brean Splash Waterpark and gym is open all year round and caters for all ages, groups, schools, clubs,
birthday parties as well as a popular
swim school. A range of snacks are available in the
Splash Cafe where you can get Miko Coffee. The cafe offers views towards the indoor splash zone.
Brean Play at Brean Leisure Park is open all year round and is the perfect place for children to have fun and let off steam.
Brean Play features 2 distinct areas for babies, toddlers and children up to the age of 11, with stimulating and interactive play equipment, all designed into a colourful environment. Also includes the new Multiball interactive games wall and Ninja Zone course.
Children can clamber across the large padded climbing frame, which is comprised of several floors and includes tunnels, slides and a 'spider-web' climbing net, whilst infants and toddlers can make use of the soft-play equipment with wonderful sensory features.
Golf enthusiasts will love Brean Golf Club! It’s an 18 hole, almost 6000 yards par 69 course located at Brean Leisure Park, on approximately 120 acres of lush green meadowland. The layout is such that you are never far from the clubhouse, making it popular with seniors. Being close to the coast, the wind can offer serious challenges and no two holes are the same. Water features come into play on many of the holes providing formidable hazards to the flat landscapes. The greens are irrigated by pop-up sprinklers and since the fairways are cut from meadowland they remain lush even in dry periods and are well drained. See www.brean.com/brean-golf-club