Burnham on Sea Walks
This popular Somerset seaside town sits in a fine spot on the River Brue and on the mouth of the River Parrett at Bridgwater Bay. There's some lovely beach walking and a nice riverside trail to try in the town too.
This walk from the town takes you along the coast path to one of the area's highlights at Brean Down. It's about an 8 mile walk along the Burnham sea wall and beach before a climb up onto the Down at the end.
The walk starts on the sea front in Burnham near the pier. You could park at the Pier Street car park at postcode TA8 1BT for your sat navs. You can then follow the footpaths north to the unusual looking lighthouse at the northern end of the town. The photogenic building is something of a local landmark with its distinctive white and red stripes.
The route then continues north to the attractive Berrow Dunes where there are some good wildlife spotting opportunites.
You continue through Brean village where you could take a detour to see the village's 13th century church if you have time. The route then continues north along the wide expanse of Brean Sands before climbing up onto Brean Down. The Down is one of the walking highlights of the Mendips with fine views of the Bristol Channel, south Wales and Weston Super Mare from the summit. At the seaward end you will also find Brean Down Fort which was built in 1865 and then re-armed in the Second World War.
Postcode
TA8 1BT - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsBurnham on Sea Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Burnham on Sea Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Burnham on Sea OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Burnham on Sea Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Bay View is in a lovely spot on the sea front at the start of the walk. They serve a good range of meals and snacks with a sea view. You can find them on the South Esplanade at a postcode of TA8 1BU for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
Dogs are banned from the main Burnham beach all year round and from the south/north beach during the summer months. Dogs are welcome though on Brean Beach and Brean Down. You will likely see other owners on this section of the walk. The Bay View mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To continue your walking around the town you could head south and pick up a riverside footpath along the River Brue. You could follow it east towards neighbouring Highbridge.
Near Brean down you can pick up the West Mendip Way at Uphill. This long distance waymarked trail explores the western section of the Mendip hills. Also near here you can enjoy two more excellent viewpoints at Bleadon Hill and Brent Knoll which lies just a few miles to the east of the town. You can reach the knoll by following a footpath east from the northern tip of the town.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Mendip Hills Walks and Somerset Walks pages.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
The sea front, Burnham-on-Sea
The beach at Burnham-On-Sea
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Berrow Beach and dunes. Located just north of the town with Brean Down visible in the background.
Burnham low light, a Grade II listed building. The striking lighthouse is located just north of the town centre. It is a famous landmark in the town and was built in 1832. The lighthouse is well known for its red and white striped facade.
St Bridget's church, Brean. You could leave the sea front to visit the little village of Brean where you'll find this 13th century church.
River Brue. The tidal river Brue meanders through mud banks at the point where it joins the river Parrett before flowing into Bridgwater Bay
Brean Sands
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Brean Down Fort.