Access

Winter service – November to Easter

The Beach Safety Wardens are there for safety and advice.

• Berrow is open between 10am and 3pm every day. It is closed on Christmas.
• Brean parking will be open Saturday and Sundays 10am until 3pm, and the bank holidays over Christmas and on New Year’s Day, taking into account tidal conditions.

There are no beach safety staff on duty outside these hours, and the road access gates will be closed. There are permanent parking spaces on the access road to Berrow and at the nearby Berrow Dunes Nature reserve car park, and 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.

Safety

The Council operates a Beach Safety Warden Service.

Although the water contains silt stirred up by the tidal movement, the bathing water at the Berrow and Brean beaches has been classified as ‘Good’ Bathing water quality by the Environment Agency. Burnham jetty is no longer designated as a bathing water under the Bathing Water Regulations, so permanent advice against bathing there is in place.

Dogs are very welcome on the beach, but must be kept under control or on a lead and must be cleaned up after. We also welcome horses and riders. Please clean up any fouling immediately and place in the bins provided.

Parking

Cars can be parked on Berrow and Brean beaches. 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. Please see prices for parking.

Please drive with extremely carefully, and watch out for holes left by dogs and children digging and branches left by the tides. Never attempt to drive on the mud flats, even a four-wheel drive car will get stuck, and recovery is very expensive.

Cars are not permitted on Burnham-on-Sea beach, but there is ample parking along the Esplanade and in car parks close to the beach.

Beach features

Burnham—on-Sea features

Burnham-on-Sea is a traditional seaside town resort, with a wide and level Esplanade along the beach frontage which is great for families. The beach is staffed by trained Beach Wardens and Jetty Attendants from Easter to September and the RNLI Lifeguards monitor to the north of the jetty during the peak summer period, from July to September.

The beach sits at the mouth of two large rivers, the Brue and Parrett. These rivers 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 beach features

Berrow Dunes Local Nature Reserve can be accessed from Berrow Beach, and an old shipwreck is visible at low water. Visitors should be aware that mud is exposed as the tide recedes, which is a major hazard.

Brean beach features

Brean Down can be accessed from Brean beach, where after a bracing walk, historic Brean Down Fort awaits you with incredible panoramic views. Please stay well away from the cliff edges, and keep dogs on leads at all times.

Activities

• Land Yachts and Kite Buggies. Only members of the Brean Land Yacht Club and South and West Association of Traction Kiting may sail on Brean Beach. Members may only sail at organised meetings, must abide by club rules and must 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 are not permitted on Berrow or Brean Beach. Burnham Beach has a launching facility next to the jetty for boat and water ski users. You will need to  apply for a permit for this.
• 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 they deem to be potentially dangerous or annoying to other beach or foreshore users. Activities must carry suitable third-party insurance cover, and must produce this on request.

Jetty permit

You can apply for a Burnham-on-sea Beach Jetty 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.

The Jetty fees are detailed in the Beach Charges and Permits page.