Burnham on Sea With its seven miles of golden sand, Burnham on Sea has it all. At first appearances Burnham looks slightly neglected, but this all adds to it's charm. Set in a beautiful location it overlooks Bridwater Bay, and in the distance one can see South Wales. There is however one very important thing that you must check: that is the tides, for the tides in the Bristol Channel, have one of the highest tidal ranges in the world; so please before you venture to far from shore,it is strongly advised that you check the tide- timetable for although the coast is beautiful, it is also very dangerous to the un-wary. Whatever your choice of holiday either just relaxing, sunbathing or more energetic pursuits the Burnham is the place for you.

Up to the 18th century, Burnham on Sea consisted of just of a few cottages huddled around the church. Then the always innovating Victorians, added several new houses, and Burnhams the first hotel, The Royal Clarence, was erected on the sea front. The result of this development which coincided incidentally with the coming of the railways ( or was this a coincidence? )  meant many working class Victorian families began visiting Burnham-on-Sea during the summer. And the the holiday resort as it is to-day was born. In March 1897, a strong south westerly gale in the  Bristol Channel brought rough sea's and driving snow,  and many ships in the channel found themselves in distress, one of which was the Norwegian barque SS Nornen. She was driven by strong on shore wind's towards Berrow mud flats where she eventually foundered, the wreck of the SS Nornen.can still be seen today.

Burnham-on-Sea The thriving town center has a high street, offering everything from super-markets, clothes, pubs cafés, to the inevitable souvenirs. Burnham on Sea, has a lovely promenade overlooking Bridgwater Bay, and seven miles of sandy beaches, including Burnham, Berrow and Brean, All the beaches offer the water sport enthusiast plenty of water sports and other activities including sand yachting, kite flying, donkey rides, fishing and golf. The beach is backed by sand dunes which shelter the beach on windy days.There is also a jetty for launching boats and a pier-pavilion. In addition, because of the danger to shipping presented by the Bristol Channel, there has over the centuries been no less than three lighthouse's built at Burnham on Sea,

The three lighthouse's were, Burnham on Sea Old ('Round Tower') which was deactivated in 1832, Pillar Lighthouse. ( After the Pillar lighthouse when constructed itb was unfortunately proved to be of the wrong height and did not take into account the massive rise and fall of the tides in the Bristol Channel, even though the Pillar lighthouse tower which had a paraffin fired light  was a hundred feet in height?  ) Today it is converted to provide holiday accommodation for visitors,it is situated in Berrow Road Burnham.The lighthouse is also a tourist attraction ,with many visitors climbing the spiral staircase for it provides wonderful view's of the coasts of South Wales, and North Devon. Yet another lighthouse built. This turned out to the famous lighthouse on legs which was built in 1832, to complement the tower. It remains an active aid to navigation and is visited by many thousands of visitors, and walkers every year.!

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