Beach and water safety
Beach and water safety in West Somerset
We want you to enjoy our beaches and make the most of the facilities provided by keeping safe by the sea.
Tombstoning
Everyone using the beach needs to be take care, particularly where children are involved. Harbour jumping or “tombstoning” is prohibited, it is dangerous and can result in serious injury or death.
The Bristol Channel
The Bristol Channel has a huge tidal range so beach users must be aware they could get trapped at the bottom of cliffs by an incoming tide. At low tide you could get trapped in mud. Signs are displayed at most beach access points.
Life-saving equipment
There’s life-saving equipment at Minehead beach and harbour, Blue Anchor beach and Watchet harbour and marina. We also have life-saving equipment by our rivers. It is inspected regularly and maintained or replaced as necessary.
Please report missing or damaged equipment by completing our general enquires form.
Royal National Lifeboat Institution
There is a Royal National Lifeboat Institution inshore lifeboat station next to Minehead harbour.
Beach safety at Burnham-on-Sea, Berrow and Brean
The extensive information and safety signage at Burnham-on-Sea Berrow and Brean are prepared and erected by the Council in partnership with the RNLI. The risks at Burnham-on-Sea beach include falls from the Jetty, strong currents and the risk of soft mud. The presence of soft mud is also one of the main risks at Berrow and Brean beaches, and visitors are warned not to venture out onto the mudflats at low tide. At low tide, never walk out to the water line or enter the water, as there is sinking mud exposed and it is extremely dangerous.
We provide Beach Safety Wardens at Brean, Berrow and Burnham-on-Sea between Easter and September 10am to 6pm, and then a reduced service at Berrow and Brean during October and in the winter months.
For more information on Beach Safety, please read the Beach Safety leaflet.
Burnham-On-Sea beach
Burnham-on-Sea is a traditional seaside ‘town’ resort with a wide and level Esplanade along the beach frontage which is great for families. There is lots of parking on the Esplanade and in car parks close to the beach. The beach is staffed by trained Beach Safety Wardens from Easter to September.
Permanent advice against bathing is in place at Burnham Jetty. Burnham Jetty is no longer designated as a bathing water under the Bathing Water Regulations.
The beach sits at the mouth of two large rivers, the Brue and Parrett which greatly influence the bathing water quality. Despite extensive investigations and investment bathing water quality cannot be guaranteed to achieve the “Sufficient” standard required under the Bathing Water Regulations. Berrow and Brean beaches can be visited for swimming and paddling.
Berrow and Brean Beach
The Council operates a Beach Safety Warden Service on a 7 mile stretch of sandy rural beaches, that are a popular holiday destination as well as a lovely dog walking area.
We have the second highest tidal range in the world. At low tide, a vast expanse of mud flat is exposed which is dangerous to walk on.
Although the water contains silt stirred up by the tidal movement, the bathing water has been classified as ‘Good’ according to the Bathing water quality by the Environment Agency. And access to the water can be gained 2 hours either side of high tide. It is rural in nature with sand dunes at the top of the beach, which stretches for miles and makes its ideal for walking. Dogs are very welcome but must be kept under control or on a lead. We also welcome horses and riders. Please clean up any fouling immediately and place in the bins provided.
At Berrow there is access to the Berrow Dunes Local Nature Reserve from Berrow Beach, and an old shipwreck is visible at low water, but beach users should be aware that mud is exposed as the tide recedes which is a major hazard.
At Brean there is access to Brean Down where a bracing walk awaits you with incredible panoramic views but stay well away from the cliff edges and dogs on leads.
We hope you enjoy your day on the Beach, but please observe the following information for the safety of all beach and foreshore users.
Activities
Land Yachts and Kite Buggies – Only members of the Brean Land Yacht Club and SWATK may sail on Brean Beach. Members may only sail at organised meetings, must abide by club rules and only use areas of the beach authorised in the byelaws.
Quad bikes unlicensed vehicles and L Drivers are prohibited at all times in the interest of safety for other beach users.
Horse Riding – Strictly no cantering or galloping near the dune area or in the car park areas. Please keep well away from other beach users.
Power Kites are permitted but may only be used well away from the dune area and other beach users.
Parachute and gliding sports including parascending and microlights are prohibited at all times in the interest of safety for other beach users.
Jet Skis – In the interest of safety, jet skis are not permitted on Berrow or Brean Beach. Jet skis will be allowed access through the council entrance at Burnham on Sea.
Remote control cars and planes are permitted but may only be used well away from the dune area and must not disturb residents or other beach users.
The Beach Safety Wardens have the authority to stop or relocate any activity or behaviour deemed by them to be potentially dangerous or annoying to other beach or foreshore users. Activities must carry suitable third-party insurance cover and produce this on request.
‘Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photographs, waste nothing but time!’
Access to Berrow and Brean Beach (Summer Opening 31 March – 29 October 2023)
Parking on the beach is permitted but there is a strict 15mph speed limit. The road traffic act applies to the area and any speeding or dangerous driving will be reported to the police immediately. Please drive with extreme caution and be vigilant.
The Beach Safety Wardens will be on duty for safety and advice, between the hours of 10am and 6pm daily, taking into account tidal conditions. Please see prices for parking.
Please drive with extreme caution and be vigilant for exposed holes left by dogs and children digging and branches left by the tides. Never attempt to drive on the mud flats, even a 4×4 will get stuck and recovery is very expensive.
The Beach Safety Wardens will be on hand for safety and advice.
Outside of these hours there are no beach safety staff on duty and the vehicular access gates will be closed. There are now permanent parking spaces on the access road to Berrow and at the nearby Berrow Dunes Nature reserve car park, for pedestrian access, and down at Brean Cove. There are disabled access points at nearby Burnham-on-sea beach for those who are unable to use the pedestrian access at Berrow and Brean Beach
Please note that credit or debit card payments are the preferred option for paying for parking at the beach.
Seasonal Parking Permit – Easter to October
You can apply for a Seasonal Beach Parking Permit online: Apply for a Berrow Beach Parking Permit
You can choose to either print out your proof of purchase yourself, or have it posted to you. It can then be exchanged at Berrow kiosk for a window pass. The parking charges are detailed in the Beach Charges and Permits page.
Berrow and Brean Beach car parking charges
You can apply for a Berrow and Brean Beach Parking Permit online.
You can choose to either print out your proof of purchase yourself or have it posted to you. We recommend bringing this with you on the day of your visit.
The following charges are made for parking on Berrow and Brean Beach with effect from 1 April 2023 to 29 October 2023.
Access to the Beach - Winter Opening 30 October to Easter
The Beach Safety Wardens will be on duty for safety and advice, Berrow is open between the hours of 10am and 3pm daily (closed on Christmas day), and Brean parking will be open Saturday and Sundays 10am till 3pm and the bank holidays over Christmas and on New Year’s Day, taking into account tidal conditions.
Outside of these hours there are no beach safety staff on duty and the vehicular access gates will be closed. There are now permanent parking spaces on the access road to Berrow and at the nearby Berrow Dunes Nature reserve car park, for pedestrian access, and down at Brean Cove. There are disabled access points at nearby Burnham-on-sea beach for those who are unable to use the pedestrian access at Berrow and Brean Beach