Beside the sea

THIS week’s walk is slightly off piste being some 40 miles south-west of Bath, but few of us mind an hour or so driving to ‘be beside the seaside’.

- with Nigel Vile

Approaching Brean, the site of one of the largest collections of caravans in the country might be somewhat off-putting, but what is known colloquially as ‘Birmingham by the Sea’ is soon left behind!

Coastal walking is always an exhilarating experience. Little wonder that a Guardian article placed Brean Down in a list of ‘Top 10 UK Walks’ Before the rocky headland, however, there is a stroll along the beach with Brean being one of those few places where visitors can literally park on the sands.

Brean Down has plenty to offer in terms of both natural and military history. The rare plant species include white rock rose, goldilocks and Somerset hair-grass. The military history is Brean Down Fort, built to defend the country against a possible Napoleonic invasion. The views, however, are the primary attraction.