Located on the coast of the Bristol Channel, Clevedon is a Victorian seaside town. Clevedon’s key attractions are a striking 19th century pier, arresting Victorian architecture and a peaceful coastal promenade. The seaside town also offers two serene coastal walks with beautiful scenery of both the town and the sea. All in all, Clevedon is the perfect day out by the coast from Bristol or any Somerset town.
Escape to the peaceful coastal promenade
While Clevedon enjoys stunning Victorian streets and townhouses, the heart of the seaside town is along Clevedon Promenade. Boasting spectacular views of Clevedon Bay, Clevedon Beach, Clevedon Pier and the Bristol Channel, the promenade offers the perfect coastal escape.
Clevedon PierThe highlight of the promenade, and the seaside town, is Clevedon Pier. Opened in 1869, the Victorian pier enchants with its striking iron architecture and sense of adventure. Offering, when it first opened, the quickest route to South Wales, then later on, boat excursions to the Bristol Channel, the 19th century pier fell into disrepair and collapsed in 1970. After lengthy restorations, Clevedon Pier can now be enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. For more information, visit clevedonpier.co.uk.
From Clevedon Promenade, you can enjoy stunning walks along the coast. The aptly named Poet’s walk takes you past Clevedon Beach, the Marine lake, the castle-like tower of the Sugar Lookout and the medieval St Andrews’ Church to Wain’s Hill. Throughout this Clevedon walk, and especially from the Wain’s hill, you can admire splendid scenery of the dramatic coast from Clevedon to Sand Point, including Clevedon Pier, Clevedon Bay, the Bristol Channel, South Wales and the Somerset Levels.
Views from the Poet’s WalkHeading in the opposite direction, the Lovers’ walk leads you to the secluded cove of Ladye Bay. The pebbled beach, along with Clevedon Beach, is best enjoyed at high tide and is the perfect sunset spot. Both Clevedon walks start from the promenade and feature well-maintained paths. Although usually busy, the coastal walks still infuse serenity.
Enjoy Clevedon’s arresting Victorian architecture
While the pier and the promenade are the town’s main attractions, Clevedon also enjoys arresting Victorian architecture. Best admired on foot, the town streets boast an array of stunning townhouses in the typical Bath stone. You can easily get lost in the maze of streets and in the majesty of the architecture.
Victorian townhousesThe seaside town enjoys two social hubs. Featuring delightful independent shops and cute cafés, Hill Road is closest to the promenade and the pier. From the quaint high street, you can almost taste the fresh sea air. Clevedon’s second high street is further inland on the aptly name street The Triangle and is a bustling hub.
On The Triangle, you can admire the remarkable Clevedon clock tower, a Victorian tower with a tall octagonal spire and surrounded by passing traffic. Along the high street, you can also spot the Curzon cinema, one of the oldest operating cinemas in the UK. Opened in 1912, the Curzon cinema boasts a retro look and enjoys daily screenings as well as guided tours. Find out more at curzon.org.uk.
Shops on Hill RoadHow to get to Clevedon
By car
Clevedon is easily accessible from Bath, Bristol, Somerset and the rest of the UK. The seaside town is located along the M5 motorway (off junction 20). From Bristol, you can also drive across the beautiful Somerset countryside by taking Clevedon Road (B3130). You can park for free in most of Clevedon’s streets. However, along both high streets and the promenade, you might find a time limit on parking. I would recommend parking on the residential streets.
By bus
There are regular buses from Bristol, Weston-Super-Mare and Portishead to Clevedon. Most bus services will stop at The Triangle. Then, it is only a short walk to the waterfront.
Explore Somerset and Wiltshire further
Somerset and Wiltshire boast lush rolling hills, charming villages, stately manors and dramatic coastlines. Featuring diverse country, hill and coastal landscapes, Somerset and Wiltshire offer breathtaking scenery and quaint British splendour. From the market town of Bradford-on-Avon to the medieval town of Wells, find the best places to visit with the Somerset and Wiltshire travel guides.
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