Best beaches in Somerset: a guide

Welcome to the definitive list of the best beaches in Somerset. We've separated these into different themes, so you can pick a beach that suits your needs. We cover everything from the best dog-friendly option to the most accessible, covering the entire Somerset coastline.

From vast, sprawling sandy beaches ideal for long walks and family fun, to hidden rocky coves perfect for fossil hunting and geology, Somerset’s shoreline is incredibly diverse.

Our comprehensive guide cuts through the noise to bring you the definitive list of the best beaches in Somerset, categorised by what matters most to you. Whether you need an unrestricted dog-friendly beach for year-round adventures, a great spot for touring near our UK Club campsites, or a truly scenic picture, we've got you covered.

Best Somerset beach close to a UK Club campsite

Berrow Beach, Berrow

Berrow Beach, near Hurn Lane Club Campsite. Member photo by Steven Ward.

Type: sandy

This flat beach is made all the more great by its proximity to one of our great UK Club campsites in Somerset. Six miles of sand stretch from Brean Down to Burnham-on-Sea, featuring the wreck of the MV Nornen at low tide, which has been here since it ran aground in 1897.

Overall, this is a great place to get away from it all, tying in perfectly with a quiet coastal break to relax and unwind.

Less than 1 mile from Hurn Lane Club Campsite

Best scenic beach in Somerset

St Audrie’s Bay, near Minehead

The Quantock Hills with St Audrie's Bay in the background, near Minehead Club Campsite. Member photo by Jan Calvert.

Type: pebble, shingle, rock

This picturesque bay is set at the foot of the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The beach is a mix of pebbles, shingle, and sand/rock shelves revealed at low tide. Its most famous feature is the dual waterfall that tumbles down the cliffs directly onto the beach.

It offers a dramatic, wilder coastal landscape far removed from traditional seaside resorts, with striking geological formations and sunset views over the Bristol Channel, making it the most scenic beach in Somerset.

11 miles from Minehead Club Campsite

Best dog-friendly beach in Somerset

Blue Anchor Bay, near Minehead

Type: sandy, shingle

Dogs allowed: all-year-round

This quiet, expansive bay of sand and shingle on the West Somerset coast is ideal for a long walk with your canine companion.

Being relatively quiet but also relatively close to the amenities and things to do in Minehead make this an enticing option. The views are beautiful as you walk towards Exmoor, topped off beautifully by the site of the West Somerset Steam Railway pass by.

4 miles from Minehead Club Campsite

Best family beach in Somerset

Minehead Beach, Minehead

Minehead Beach, near Minehead Club Campsite.

Type: sandy

The beach’s location right next to the town centre and harbour makes it ideal for families. It offers a wide, gentle expanse for sandcastles and games, calm water perfect for paddling and a promenade nearby for all the snacks and ice cream you’ll ever need.

There’s easy access to all the amusements, and you’re also close to the start of the West Somerset Steam Railway. Stroll out of town and find the beginning of the legendary South West Coastal Path.

1 mile from Minehead Club Campsite

Best watersports beach in Somerset

Porlock Weir Beach, Porlock Weir

Type: pebble

Backed by the picturesque village it takes its name from, Porlock Weir offers an excellent spot for surfing when harsher conditions prevail. The long pebble and rock is ideal for bathing in the summer and watersports are in large supply here.

It’s a key spot for kayaking and angling, with all the facilities you’ll need to park up for the day too. There are plenty of places for refreshment when you’re done in the water.

7 miles from Minehead Club Campsite

Best accessible beach in Somerset

Weston Beach, Weston-super-Mare

Weston Beach, Weston-super-Mare. Near Hurn Lane and Cheddar Club campsites.

Type: sandy

This beach has everything you’d expect from one situated in one of the most famous seaside resorts in the UK. There’s excellent infrastructure here, with accessibility at the heart of thinking. Specialist beach wheelchairs are available to hire, allowing stress-free access right down onto the sand.

The wide, flat promenade makes it easier to navigate, with wide access points too. You’ll be close to all the amenities Weston-super-Mare offers too, giving everyone a quintessential British seaside experience.

7 miles from Hurn Lane Club Campsite, 11 miles from Cheddar Club Campsite