Weston-Super-Mare. is situated on the Bristol channel and lies 18 miles to the south west of Bristol. Like all the west country resorts it came in to prominence in th Victorian era. Until the advent of the railway Weston was a small village of about 30 houses located behind the sand dunes which sheltered the village. The village was the seat of the Pigot family who were the local Lords of The Manor.The great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom-Brunel all so resided in the village. And it was his wonderful Great Western Railway combined with West Super Mare proximity to Bristol and Bath, that were the two major factors why Weston became a very popular resort indeed .The first hotel the Grove was constructed in 1806 thus setting the trend it was soon followed by many more.However these early Victorian visitors, came not only from Bristol and Bath, for such was Westons attraction it all so tempted people from the Midlands, and miners families from the coal fields of South Wales took paddled steamers across the channel to holiday in the blossoming resort.

In 1867 the  Birbeck Pier was constructed to cater for the ever increasing number of visitors. The pier incorporated tea rooms,  amusement arcades, fun fair rides and the ever popular Victorian phenomena the photograph studio Yes everything the Victorians required for their week of fun in the sun was provided. However the pier now lies in a very derelict state and is in danger of collapsing into the sea. It was designed by Eugenius Birch. It was however constructed in iron, with the ironwork manufactured by the Isia Foundry of Newport South Wales. The consequence of using iron, as apposed to wood, is that the pier is now in a very dangerous and unstable condition due to erosion . It is still however possible for visitors to marvel at the structure from behind the barbed wire which prohibits the foolhardy from venturing on to it.

In the 20th century local traders were unhappy that the pier funneled visitors away from the town center and of course their businesses,. They were so incensed that they demanded a new pier be built closer to the town center. So what became know as the Grand Pier was constructed and opened in 1904. After the first world war in 1927 the Winter Gardens and Pavilion were added. As a result Art Deco influences can be seen in much of the town's architecture from this period. Alas on the 28 July 2008 residents and holiday-makers watched in total disbelief as Weston lost a 100 years of history; for an devastating fire destroyed the Grand Pier. Weston-Super-Mare will never be the same until this maginificent Victorian edifice is restored. Happily the piers owners have gone on record with a statement saying  that they are commited to its restoration

Today Weston-Super-Mare is  a busy vibrant resort. In the center of town is Ellenborough Park, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the variety and range of plant species found there. On the western edge of town lies the beach of which the upper part is of sand, on must however realize that the tidal range of the Bristol channel is the second highest in the world and as a result when the tide retreats a vast expanse of mud is revealed. This has led to Weston Super Mare being unkindly described as "Weston Super Mud". The town has a number of art venues. There is the Winter Gardens on the sea front, the Playhouse, the Blakehay Theater, a Sea Aquarium, Helicopter Museum, The famous old Paddle Steamer Waverley and the Motor Vessel Balmoral offer day sea trips from Weston-super-Mare's Knightstone Island to various points of interest in the Bristol Channel

For adult entertainment  Weston is not lacking and the fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down either. Live music, dancing, comedy, theater or clubs, whatever you fancy, there is a range of nightlife for all ages to enjoy.Weston is also home to a wide selection of restaurants and places to eat, so go on and give your taste buds a treat – you're on holiday after all.!!

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