Clevedon is a small Victorian seaside town at the mouth of the river Severn about thirteen miles from Bristol. Recently it became famous as the location for many of the scenes in the television series Broadchurch starring Olivia Coleman and David Tennant. It is also home to the Curzon, one of the oldest purpose built cinemas still in use. However the grade 1 listed Pier is the town’s main claim to fame.
Getting to Clevedon from Bristol
The journey takes about 30 minutes by car using the M5 (exit 20) There is a large car park by the Salthouse playing field. This is close to the Salthouse hotel where you can get a drink and a meal. The playing field has a large children’s play area, a skate board park and even its own beautifully maintained railway station and child sized train.
By bus the journey takes about 45 minutes. You can catch the X6 or X7 from Bristol bus station.
Main attractions
From the Salthouse car park you can turn left and take a walk along the cliff. On clear days this path known as poet’s walk offers stunning views across the Severn estuary to the Welsh mountains. You will pass St. Andrew’s the church used for many scenes in Broadchurch and the remains of an iron age fort.
If you turn right you will pass Marine lake a seawater lake which was built in the 1920’s. It is still used by long distance swimmers for training and also by paddleboarders and windsurfers. The beach itself is made up of pebbles and small rocks.
Part of the pier which was built in the 1860’s for ferry passengers to South Wales collapsed in the 1970’s during an insurance stress test. It at has been lovingly restored with the help of a heritage lottery fund. There is a small exhibition centre near the entrance.
In the summer Clevedon court which belongs to the National Trust is well worth visiting. Here is a link to a post I wrote after we visited Clevedon on New Year’s Eve.
The South West Rambler 