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Brean Down

2.49 miles (4 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Explore this beautiful natural pier and enjoy wonderful coastal views on this walk on the Somerset coast. The promontory stands at 318 feet (97 m) high and is a continuation of the Mendip Hills. As such there is some climbing involved but you are rewarded with wonderful views of the Bristol Channel, south Wales and Weston Super Mare. At the seaward end you will find Brean Down Fort which was built in 1865 and then re-armed in the Second World War.
The area is a nature reserve and has an abundance of interesting flora and fauna. Look out for birds including peregrine falcon, dunnock and kestrel. Butterfly species include chalkhill blue, dark green fritillary, meadow brown and marbled white. In the summer months there are lots of pretty wildflowers and plants including Somerset hair grass, wild thyme, horseshoe vetch and birds-foot-trefoil.
This circular walk starts at the car park and takes you to the fort, Howe Rock and Sprat Beach at the end of the promontory. You return on an alternative path. There is a cafe at car park where you can enjoy refreshments after your walk.
If you'd like to cycle to the reserve then you could follow National Cycle Route 33 from Burnham-on-Sea or Weston-super-Mare.
The West Mendip Way starts from Uphill next to the down. You could pick this up and head to the nearby Bleadon Hill to extend your walk. To the south east you will find the prominent hill of Brent Knoll. The hill summit provides fine views across to the down.
Just to the north of Weston-Super-Mare you will find the wonderful Sand Point. This is a similar area to Brean Down with a beautiful peninsula jutting out into the Bristol Channel.

Postcode

TA8 2RS - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Brean Down OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Brean Down Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The Burnham on Sea Walk starts from the nearby town and takes you north along the lovely wide beach and up onto the Down. It's a fine stretch of coast which passes the distinctive 19th century Burnham Lighthouse and the noteworthy 13th century church at Brean village.
Just to the east is the delightful Uphill Nature Reserve. The reserve is well worth exploring with great views from the high point at Uphill Beacon and lots of interesting flora and fauna.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Somerset Walks and the Mendip Hills Walks pages.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Brean Down - Track To Brean Down Fort (geograph 2781145)

Track To Brean Down Fort

Brean Down - Brean Down Fort Barracks (geograph 2794855)

Brean Down Fort Barracks

Steep Holm & Flat Holm from Brean Down. - panoramio

Steep Holm & Flat Holm from Brean Down.

Brean Down - Rangefinder Platform (geograph 2779770)

Rangefinder Platform

Brean Down - Brean Down Fort Powder Magazine (geograph 2794769)

Brean Down Fort Powder Magazine

Brean Down - Trig Point (geograph 2781005)

Trig Point

Brean Down Tropical Bird Garden - geograph.org.uk - 126614

Brean Down Tropical Bird Garden. Looking down on the Bird Garden from the Brean headland.

Cliffs on the south side of Brean Down (geograph 2570989)

Cliffs on the south side of Brean Down

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Brean Down.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Brean Down.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)