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Places to Stay by the Beach in Somerset

Photo: Chensiyuan (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Places to Stay by the Beach in Somerset

There is a special smugness to walking to the beach while everyone else queues for the car park. These Somerset stays have direct beach access — buckets down, sand in minutes.

Must-have facilities 1
Brean Sands

Brean Sands

✓ Beach Access

🏖️ 0.46 miles from Berrow North of Unity Farm (Good water quality)

Weston-super-Mare

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Timbertop Suites

Timbertop Suites

✓ Beach Access

✓ Quietly tucked away close to the beach and town centre

🏖️ 0.86 miles from Weston Main (Poor water quality)

Weston-super-Mare

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Beachlands Hotel

Beachlands Hotel

✓ Beach Access

✓ On the seafront with its own swimming pool

🏖️ 0.64 miles from Weston Main (Poor water quality)

Weston-super-Mare

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Seabank Hotel

Seabank Hotel

✓ Beach Access

✓ Prominent headland hotel with sea views from bar, restaurant and bedrooms

🏖️ 0.63 miles from Sandy Bay Porthcawl (Excellent water quality)

Porthcawl

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The Great Western Hotel

The Great Western Hotel

✓ Beach Access

✓ Beautifully renovated Victorian hotel opposite Taunton rail station

🏖️ 0.54 miles from River Tone at French Weir Park (Poor water quality)

Taunton

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Fairways

Fairways

✓ Beach Access

✓ Panoramic views over the Bristol Channel from the Heritage Coast

🏖️ 0.71 miles from Sandy Bay Porthcawl (Excellent water quality)

Porthcawl

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Uphill Manor

Uphill Manor

✓ Beach Access

✓ Restored Grade II* Gothic castle with private grounds

🏖️ 0.51 miles from Weston-super-Mare Uphill Slipway (Poor water quality)

Weston-super-Mare

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More around Somerset

Haunted Britain

From the blog

Where the beach stays are

There are 100 places to stay with beach access in Somerset on BritStays, and they cluster in two main areas. Weston-super-Mare has 35 of them. Minehead has 35 as well, though they're split across two listings: 18 under Minehead and 17 under Minehead, South West England. Further down the list come Taunton with 6, then smaller clusters in Watchet, South West England and Burnham-on-Sea, South West England, with 3 each.

If you want to wake up by the sea, start with Weston-super-Mare or Minehead. Taunton suits you if you'd rather base yourself inland and travel to the coast, or if you want a stop that also works for exploring the countryside. Taunton House Hotel is one example there, with a bar, indoor areas and WiFi.

What kind of stay suits your trip

Hotels make up just over half the set (54). There are also 26 cottages, 13 caravanning options, 5 camping sites and 2 holiday parks. Most of the named cottages are in Minehead, so it's your best bet if you want your own front door.

  • Couples: Seashells in Minehead sleeps 2, and Bryn View sleeps 3. Both are listed as near a bus stop and a train station, with EV charging nearby.
  • Small families or friends: Seagate Cottage, Dove Cottage and Subiaco Holidays - Roosters Retreat each sleep 4 in Minehead. Brookwood in Weston-super-Mare also sleeps 4 and has EV charging nearby.
  • Larger groups: Stone Barn sleeps 6. Pilgrim Corner and The Old Sweet Shop each sleep 8. Pilgrim Corner stands out for families and less mobile guests, with disabled access, baby changing and a hot tub.
  • Families wanting on-site facilities: Country View Holiday Park in Weston-super-Mare has a swimming pool, a playground and a bar.
  • Hotel stays: In Minehead, Beach Hotel, Marston Lodge and Foxes Hotel and Academy are all listed as near a train station.

Bringing the dog

Only 12 of the 100 are marked as pet friendly, and none of the example stays above lists it. If you're travelling with a dog, filter for pet-friendly places first rather than falling for a cottage and then finding out. Always confirm the details with the host before you book, such as how many dogs are allowed and whether there's a charge.

Getting there and getting around

Public transport is a real option for this set. 67 stays are listed as near a train station and 14 as near a bus stop. If you're driving an electric car, 39 have EV charging nearby. That includes most of the Minehead cottages named here.

Check the facilities before you book. Only 19 of the 100 list WiFi, so don't assume you'll be connected if you need to work. Only 17 list a bar, 11 a restaurant and 11 evening entertainment. If you want evenings sorted without going out, a hotel or holiday park is the safer choice. A cottage suits you better if you'd rather cook and keep things quiet.

What to do once you're there

Beach days are the point, but it's worth planning a few things for when the weather turns:

  • Near Minehead: Dulverton Heritage Centre is listed as a nearby museum, and Exmoor National Park is one of the region's big outdoor draws.
  • Near Weston-super-Mare: Webbington Farm is listed as a nearby attraction.
  • Further afield: Cheddar Gorge and Glastonbury Tor are classic Somerset landmarks for a day out.
  • Bath: the Museum of Bath Architecture is there if you want a city day.
  • Historic houses: Priest's House (National Trust) and Sutton Court are also on the list.

When to book

Some kinds of stay are much scarcer than others. Larger stays are the clearest example. Of the named stays, only Pilgrim Corner and The Old Sweet Shop sleep 8, so if you're a big group, book those first. The same goes for pet-friendly stays (12 of 100) and holiday parks (just 2). These tend to go early in school holidays, so book well ahead if your dates are fixed.

Hotels are the most plentiful option, at 54, so you'll usually have more choice there if you're booking later. Before you pay, check three things:

  • exactly what the beach access involves
  • whether parking or EV charging is on site or just nearby
  • whether WiFi is included

A short message to the host now can save a frustrating first evening.

Frequently asked questions

Which towns in Somerset have the most beach stays on BritStays?

Weston-super-Mare and Minehead have the most. Weston-super-Mare has 35, and Minehead also has 35 across its two listings (18 under Minehead and 17 under Minehead, South West England). Taunton follows with 6.

Can I take my dog to a beach stay in Somerset?

Yes, but choice is limited. Only 12 of the 100 beach-access stays are marked pet friendly, so filter for that first and check the dog rules with the host before booking.

Is there a beach stay suitable for a large family?

Yes. Pilgrim Corner and The Old Sweet Shop in Minehead each sleep 8, and Stone Barn sleeps 6. Pilgrim Corner also has baby changing, disabled access and a hot tub.

Are there options with a pool or playground for children?

Country View Holiday Park in Weston-super-Mare has a swimming pool, a playground and a bar.

Can I get to these stays without a car?

Often, yes. 67 of the 100 stays are listed as near a train station and 14 as near a bus stop.

Will my beach stay have WiFi?

Don't assume it will. Only 19 of the 100 beach-access stays list WiFi, so check the listing or ask the host if you need it.

Somerset on the map

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🎭 Venues with something on in Somerset

What's on at each, with tickets and places to stay within walking distance.

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