51-511: Sand Bay is a strip of coast in North Somerset bordered to the south by Worlebury Hill and to the north by Sand Point and Middle Hope . It lies 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare , and across the Bristol Channel from South Wales . It is adjacent to the village of Kewstoke . The north end of Sand Bay has become overgrown with spartina grass since
102-632: A flood hit the shores of the Channel. The devastation was particularly bad on the Welsh side, from Laugharne in Carmarthenshire to above Chepstow on the English border. Cardiff was the most badly affected town. There remain plaques up to 8 ft (2.4 m) above sea level to show how high the waters rose on the sides of the surviving churches. It was commemorated in a contemporary pamphlet " God's warning to
153-479: A 4.2% higher percentage of older people (60+ female, 65+ male) than the rest of England and Wales. This disparity increases with age with the percentage of the population over 75 years almost 30% higher than the national average, resulting in a relatively aged population. In 2001 there were 134,132 people of working age living in North Somerset and 91,767 were in employment; an economic activity rate of 68.4%. This
204-651: A cliff-face of 716 ft (218 m). On the Gower Peninsula, at its western extremity is the Worms Head , a headland of Carboniferous Limestone which is approachable on foot at low tide only. The beaches of Gower (at Rhossili , for example) and North Devon, such as Croyde and Woolacombe , win awards for their water quality and setting, as well as being renowned for surfing . In 2004, The Times "Travel" magazine selected Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire as one of
255-468: A population of people who live in the village. Sand Bay has a Bar/Fish and Chip shop, Tea Rooms and a Snack bar with Public Toilets and two Car Parks. First West of England route 1 operates between Sand Bay and Weston-Super-Mare town centre, using open-top buses weather permitting, all year round. 51°23′N 2°58′W / 51.383°N 2.967°W / 51.383; -2.967 North Somerset Download coordinates as: North Somerset
306-409: A resident population of 193,000 (1.4% BME) living in 85,000 households. The population of North Somerset has doubled since the 1950s and is predicted to rise by 6,184 or 3.0% to 2011 and by 17% to 2026. Whilst the proportion of people in North Somerset who are under 45 is lower than the national average, population growth is predicted to be strongest in the 2034 age group. Conversely North Somerset has
357-637: A windsurf around Britain (e.g. Jono Dunnett ). The coastguard has stated that windsurf crossings of the channel are dangerous and should not be attempted without appropriate preparations. The high quality of the landscape of much of both coasts of the Bristol Channel means that they are popular destinations for walkers. Sections of two national trails ; the South West Coast Path and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path follow these shores, and
408-533: Is a unitary authority in the ceremonial county of Somerset , England. The council is based in Weston-super-Mare , the area's largest town. The district also contains the towns of Clevedon , Nailsea and Portishead , along with a number of villages and surrounding rural areas. Some southern parts of the district fall within the Mendip Hills , a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty . The district
459-635: Is a major inlet in the island of Great Britain , separating South Wales (from Pembrokeshire to the Vale of Glamorgan ) and South West England (from Devon , Somerset to North Somerset ). It extends from the smaller Severn Estuary of the River Severn ( Welsh : Afon Hafren ) to the North Atlantic Ocean . It takes its name from the English city and port of Bristol . Long stretches of both sides of
510-522: Is also covered by civil parishes , which form a second tier of local government. The area comprises the parliamentary constituencies of Weston-super-Mare and North Somerset . The principal towns in the district are the coastal towns of Weston-super-Mare , Portishead , Clevedon and Nailsea . North Somerset's natural environment and coastal towns attract visitors from nearby cities. Notable geographical features include: Notable religious sites include Woodspring Priory . North Somerset's economy
561-464: Is enhanced by the golden beaches, clean blue waters, excellent water quality and good facilities close by to the main surf breaks. The first known crossing of the Bristol Channel (from Swansea to Woody Bay, near Lynton, Devon) by a windsurfer was Adam Cowles in April 2006, apparently accidentally. Other windsurfers have reported making the crossing as a training exercise ( Hugh Sim Williams ) or as part of
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#1733092727233612-604: Is noted for the large volume of car imports. This is a chart of trend of regional gross value added of North and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire at current basic prices (pp. 240–253) by Office for National Statistics with figures in millions of British Pounds Sterling. ^1 Components may not sum to totals due to rounding ^2 includes hunting and forestry ^3 includes energy and construction ^4 includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured North Somerset covers an area of around 145 square miles (380 km ) and has
663-460: Is now known as Sand Bay Leisure Resort. In 2013, Martyn Leisure Breaks entered administration and closed the park. In 2014, it was announced that the site would re-open for the 2014 as a Pontins resort once again, now under the ownership of Britannia Hotels . There are several static caravan parks in the Sand Bay / Kewstoke area. Although mainly a holiday destination Sand Bay does also have housing and
714-582: Is traditionally based on agriculture, including sheep raised for wool on the Mendip Hills and dairy farming in the valleys. This is celebrated at the annual North Somerset Show . During the Georgian era tourism became a significant economic sector in the coastal towns, most notably Weston-super-Mare which grew from a small village to a large resort town. Though tourism declined in the mid to late-20th century, in common with most British coastal resorts, this sector of
765-504: Is very close to the economic activity rate of the West of England sub-region which was 68.8% in the 2001 census. The 2001 census stated that 1.38% of North Somerset residents identified themselves as belonging to a visible ethnic group and a further 1.27% identified themselves as 'white other'. As of 2023 , North Somerset Council is associated with 72 primary schools and 18 secondary schools. There are also four independent (private) schools in
816-469: The 1953 floods in East Anglia , which were caused by a storm surge . It has been shown that the tide and weather at the time were capable of generating such a surge. In 1835 John Ashley was on the shore at Clevedon with his son who asked him how the people on Flat Holm could go to church. For the next three months Ashley voluntarily ministered to the population of the island. From there he recognised
867-501: The Banham Review , the county of Avon was abolished in 1996, with the area being divided into unitary authorities responsible for both district and county-level functions. Woodspring became one of the unitary authorities, and the government gave the district the new name "North West Somerset" as part of the reforms. The area was also transferred back to Somerset for the ceremonial purposes of lieutenancy and shrievalty . In July 1995
918-539: The Secretary of State for the Environment announced the designation of a statutory reserve at Lundy. There is an outstanding variety of marine habitats and wildlife, and a large number of rare and unusual species in the waters around Lundy, including some species of seaweed , branching sponges , sea fans and cup corals . The Bristol Channel has some extensive and popular beaches and spectacular scenery, particularly on
969-587: The Severn Estuary , are Clevedon , Portishead and the city of Bristol . The Port of Bristol , originally established inland on the River Avon in the centre of the city, but now with larger commercial deep water docks on the Severn Estuary , is one of the busiest ports in Britain. There are no road or rail crossings of the Bristol Channel so direct crossings are necessarily made by sea or air, or less directly by
1020-557: The Vale of Glamorgan ). East of this line is the Severn Estuary . Western and northern Pembrokeshire and north Cornwall are outside the IHO defined limits of the Bristol Channel, and are considered part of the seaboard of the Atlantic Ocean , specifically the Celtic Sea . In common usage, the distinction between the Bristol Channel, Severn Estuary and Celtic Sea is less clearly defined, with
1071-802: The West Somerset Coast Path extends eastwards from the South West Coast Path to the mouth of the River Parrett. A continuous coastal path, the Wales Coast Path , was opened in May 2012 along the entire Welsh shore under the auspices of the Countryside Council for Wales . The first person to swim across the Bristol Channel was Kathleen Thomas , a 21-year-old woman from Penarth who swam to Weston-super-Mare on 5 September 1927. She completed
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#17330927272331122-404: The 1950s. This hardy grass was planted to support the banks of a tributary to the Bristol Channel further upstream than Sand Bay. Over the last 20 years the grass has rapidly taken over the north end of the beach and is now beginning to grow in isolated areas of the south end. The grass also began to grow on the beach at Weston-super-Mare, but was removed by the local council. In the 1980s, part of
1173-856: The Atlantic Ocean meaning that a combination of an off-shore (east) wind and a generous Atlantic swell produces excellent surf along the beaches. The heritage coasts of the Vale of Glamorgan, Bideford Bay and Gower are, along with the Atlantic coasts of Pembrokeshire and Cornwall, the key areas for surfing in the whole of Britain. Although slightly overshadowed by the Atlantic coasts of North Cornwall and West Pembrokeshire, both Gower and Bideford Bay nevertheless have several superb breaks—notably Croyde in Bideford Bay and Langland Bay on Gower—and surfing in Gower and Bideford Bay
1224-521: The Bristol Channel are Lundy , Steep Holm and Flat Holm , which are mostly uninhabited and protected as nature reserves, and are home to some unique wild flower species. In 1971 a proposal was made by the Lundy Field Society to establish a marine reserve. Provision for the establishment of statutory Marine Nature Reserves was included in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 , and on 21 November 1986
1275-562: The Bristol Channel are extensive linear tidal sandbanks, which are dredged for aggregates. In the outer Bristol Channel, off the Welsh coast, are the OBel Sands, an extensive area of sand waves up to 62 ft (19 m) high, covering more than 400 sq mi (1,036 km )). The Bristol Channel is an important area for wildlife, in particular waders , and has protected areas, including national nature reserves such as Bridgwater Bay at
1326-504: The Bristol Channel, and—like all other beaches in North Somerset —it has never received a European Blue Flag . However, since 2005 and 2006 DEFRA has rated the water quality as good. The Marine Conservation Society has 'adopted' the beach and since 1999 has carried out four surveys of the beach annually. A 2004 survey reported that the beach had three times the national average quantity of sewage-related debris, with particularly high numbers of cotton bud sticks. A Pontins holiday camp
1377-604: The British Government to assess all tidal range technologies, including barrages, lagoons and others. The study will look at the costs, benefits and impacts of a Severn tidal power scheme and will help Government decide whether it could or could not support such a scheme. Some of the options being looked at may include a road crossing downstream of the existing crossings of the estuary. On 30 January 1607 ( New style ) thousands of people were drowned, houses and villages swept away, farmland inundated and flocks destroyed when
1428-469: The Severn Estuary, a low-lying shoreline is fronted by extensive intertidal mudflats. The Severn Estuary and most of the embayments around the channel are less than 30 ft (9 m) deep. Within the channel, however, there is an east–west valley 65–100 ft (20–30 m) deep, which is thought to have been formed by fluvial run-off during Pleistocene phases of lower sea level. Along the margins of
1479-468: The Severn estuary, but lie upstream of the Bristol Channel itself. On the English side, the resort towns of Weston-super-Mare , Burnham-on-Sea , Watchet , Minehead and Ilfracombe are located on the Bristol Channel. Barnstaple and Bideford are sited on estuaries opening onto Bideford Bay, at the westernmost end of the Bristol Channel. Just upstream of the IHO eastern limit of the Bristol Channel, within
1530-543: The UK. It has been stated that it would contribute significantly to UK climate change goals and European Union renewable energy targets. Earlier studies of a possible Severn Barrage included estimates of bed load transport of sand and gravel by tidal ebb and flood that would be interrupted if a solid dam were built across the Channel. More recently, the Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study was launched in 2008 by
1581-491: The area. Weston College is the main provider of further education in the area. University Centre Weston offers higher education courses in conjunction with Bath Spa University and the University of the West of England . 51°23′N 2°48′W / 51.39°N 2.80°W / 51.39; -2.80 Bristol Channel The Bristol Channel ( Welsh : Môr Hafren , literal translation: "Severn Sea")
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1632-567: The area. P & A Campbell , based in Bristol , was the main operator of pleasure craft, particularly paddle steamers , from the mid-19th century to the late 1970s, together with the Barry Railway Company . These served harbours along both coasts, such as Ilfracombe and Weston-super-Mare . This tradition is continued each summer by the PS Waverley , the last seagoing paddle steamer in
1683-452: The beach at Sand Bay was raised to prevent flooding by pumping sand from the Bristol Channel up onto the beach. The beach now has two levels, one at the original height near the sea and one bordering the adjacent road at the higher level. The upper beach level has now become covered in grass in many areas (not with the spartina grass – which is found at sea level). The beach is often littered with tidal -borne material that washes up from
1734-568: The coastline are designated as Heritage Coast . These include Exmoor , Bideford Bay , the Hartland Point peninsula, Lundy Island , Glamorgan , Gower Peninsula , Carmarthenshire , South Pembrokeshire and Caldey Island . Until Tudor times the Bristol Channel was known as the Severn Sea , and it is still known as this in both Welsh : Môr Hafren and Cornish : Mor Havren . The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) defines
1785-526: The coasts of Exmoor and Bideford Bay in North Devon and the Vale of Glamorgan and Gower Peninsula on the Glamorgan coast. The western stretch of Exmoor boasts Hangman cliffs , the highest cliffs in mainland Britain , culminating near Combe Martin in the "Great Hangman", a 1,043 ft (318 m) 'hog-backed' hill with a cliff-face of 820 ft (250 m); its sister cliff the "Little Hangman" has
1836-467: The council resolved to change the name to "North Somerset" with effect from when the reforms came into effect on 1 April 1996. Some years later the government identified that the council's decision to rename in 1995 may not have been technically valid, and so in 2005 the council passed another resolution formally changing the name to put the matter beyond doubt. North Somerset Council provides both county-level and district-level services. The whole area
1887-445: The economy has stabilised. In the 19th century the major port city of Bristol found that modern ships had outgrown the narrow river approach and the Port of Bristol company began seeking locations for new docks on the coast. The first of these was Portishead Dock , which handled coal from South Wales, though this too has seen shipping outgrow its facilities. The newer Royal Portbury Dock
1938-577: The feasibility of setting up a similar rescue service in Weston-super-Mare . There are also RNLI lifeboats stationed along both sides of the Channel. In the Severn Estuary , in-shore rescue is provided by two independent lifeboat trusts, the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) and the Portishead and Bristol Lifeboat Trust. The Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary have the potential to generate more renewable electricity than any other in
1989-537: The first wife of Hugh Cudlipp the Welsh journalist and newspaper editor. The first person to swim the 30.5 nmi (56.5 km; 35.1 mi) from Ilfracombe to Swansea was Gethin Jones, who achieved the record on 13 September 2009, taking nearly 22 hours. The youngest person to swim from Penarth to Clevedon is Gary Carpenter, who in August 2007 at the age of 17, completed the crossing in 5 hours 35 minutes. He held
2040-707: The mouth of the River Parrett . At low tide large parts of the channel become mud flats due to the tidal range of 43 ft (13 m), frequently stated to be second only to the Bay of Fundy in Eastern Canada but smaller than those at Ungava Bay , also in Canada. Development schemes have been proposed along the channel, including an airport and a tidal barrier for electricity generation, but conservation issues have so far managed to block such schemes. The largest islands in
2091-575: The name Bristol Channel frequently applied to areas that by the IHO definition are the Severn Estuary, and sometimes to areas of the Celtic Sea. By the IHO definition, the Bristol Channel is about 75 mi (121 km) from west to east. The Bristol Channel–Severn Estuary system extends eastward inland to the limit of tidal influence, at Gloucester Docks . The channel shoreline alternates between resistant and erosional cliff features, interspersed with depositional beaches backed by coastal sand dunes; in
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2142-540: The needs of the seafarers on the four hundred sailing vessels in the Bristol Channel and created the Bristol Channel Mission. He raised funds and in 1839 a specially designed mission cutter was built with a main cabin which could be converted into a chapel for 100 people; this later became first initiative of the Mission to Seafarers . Much of the coastline at the western end of the Bristol Channel faces west towards
2193-540: The offshore western limit of the Bristol Channel as "a line joining Hartland Point in Devon ( 51°01′N 4°32′W / 51.017°N 4.533°W / 51.017; -4.533 ) to St. Govan's Head in Pembrokeshire ( 51°36′N 4°55′W / 51.600°N 4.917°W / 51.600; -4.917 )". The nearshore limit of the IHO definition is between Sand Point, North Somerset (north of Weston-super-Mare ), and Lavernock Point (south of Penarth , in
2244-451: The people of England by the great overflowing of the waters or floods ." The cause of the flood is uncertain and disputed. It had long been believed that the floods were caused by a combination of meteorological extremes and tidal peaks , but research published in 2002 showed some evidence of a tsunami in the Channel. Although some evidence from the time describes events similar to a tsunami, there are also similarities to descriptions of
2295-472: The road and rail crossings of the Severn estuary. The Channel can be a hazardous area of water because of its strong tides and the rarity of havens on the north Devon and Somerset coasts that can be entered in all states of the tide. Because of the treacherous waters, pilotage is an essential service for shipping. A specialised style of sailing boat, the Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter , developed in
2346-462: The swim, nominally 11 miles but equivalent to 22 miles because of tidal flows, in 7 hours 20 minutes. In 2007 the achievement was marked by a plaque on the seafront at Penarth. There is also a plaque at Anchor Head in Weston-super-Mare. In 1929, Edith Parnell , a 16-year-old schoolgirl, emulated Kathleen Thomas's swim from Penarth to Weston-super-Mare in 10 hours 15 minutes. Edith later became
2397-499: The twelve best beaches in the world. In 2007, Oxwich Bay made the same magazine's Top 12 best beaches in the world list, and was also selected as Britain's best beach for 2007. The city of Swansea is the largest settlement on the Welsh coast of the Bristol Channel. Other major built-up areas include Barry (including Barry Island ), Port Talbot and Llanelli . Smaller resort towns include Porthcawl , Mumbles , Saundersfoot and Tenby . The cities of Cardiff and Newport adjoin
2448-457: The world, built in 1947. The steamer provides pleasure trips between the Welsh and English coasts and to the islands of the channel. Trips are also offered on the MV ; Balmoral , also owned by Waverley Excursions. The Burnham-on-Sea Area Rescue Boat (BARB) uses a hovercraft to rescue people from the treacherous mud flats on that part of the coast. A hovercraft was recently tested to determine
2499-519: Was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 , covering four former districts and part of a fifth, which were all abolished at the same time: The whole area had been part of Somerset prior to the 1974 reforms, but was transferred to the new county of Avon. The new district was named Woodspring after Woodspring Priory , an isolated medieval church near the coast in the parish of Kewstoke , north of Weston-super-Mare. Following
2550-457: Was formed in 1974 as the Woodspring district of the county of Avon . Avon was abolished in 1996, when the district was renamed North Somerset and its council took on county-level functions from the abolished county council. The district is on the coast, facing the Bristol Channel to the west. The neighbouring districts are Bristol , Bath and North East Somerset and Somerset . The district
2601-460: Was opened in Sand Bay in 1947, remaining with the company until 1999. During its peak of popularity it had 300 chalets spread over 17 acres (6.9 ha). After Pontins, the site was owned by the Holybush Hotel group under the name of Sand Bay Holiday Village. With cabaret, tea dances, comedy and music, it remains a popular destination. In 2008, The company has rebranded to Martyn Leisure Breaks and
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