Brean Down is a towering coastal peninsula nearly 100 metres high jutting out into the Bristol Channel, with a tidal range that is the second largest in the world. It is almost the last uprising of the great Mendip Hills escarpment before the carboniferous limestone disappears into the sea, re-emerging several miles out as the islands of Steep Holm and Flat Holm. The Down consists of a steep scarp cliff with outcrops and ledges on its south coast, and a gentle slope to the north, terminating in low cliffs giving exhilarating views of the Bristol Channel, Mendips, Somerset Levels, Quantocks and South Wales. Fossilised creatures such as arctic foxes, reindeer and horses have been found in the sedimentary layers. Walking to the end of the Down is my favourite part of the walk where the Victorian Fort slips into view, and descends towards a very lively sea, creating violent rip tides. Go on a windy day when you can blow all the cobwebs away.
Robert Stephens, warden, National Trust
Route and directions
Distance: three miles (5km)
Start: Cove Cafe – grid ref: ST 296588 – maps: OS Landranger 182, Explorer 153plants. Cattle and rabbits
1. Follow the road from the cafe towards the headland until you reach some fairly steep steps. These will lead you up on to the Down.
2. Once on the Down, take the path to the left, along the southern slopes. In early summer look out for the white flowers of the rare white rock rose.
3. Continue along the path until you come to the site of a Romano-Celtic temple. It was built in about AD 340, close to a Bronze Age burial mound. Rock from a quarry on the Down provided some of the stone for the building.
4. Further along the path you will come across the remains of a Celtic field system, a series of small rectangular fields.
5. Continue up towards the fort, which is on a small hill. Here you can take a closer look at the remains of the fortifications and enjoy spectacular views across the Bristol Channel.
6. From the fort make your way back along the other side of the Down to the site of the Iron Age hill-fort. Take a closer look at the banks and ditches before continuing along the path. Follow it round to the right. This will take you back to the steps and down to the cafe.
Terrain and accessibility
This is a moderate walk. Steep at first, some steps. Paths are grassy and rocky in places. Good footwear is advised. Height gain of 97 metres over the walk. If on Brean beach (not NT) be aware of deep mud at low tide. Cliffs are dangerous (children should be supervised). Keep an eye out for changes in the weather as there is little shelter on top of the Down. Dogs should be kept under close control at all times.
Getting there and local facilities
By foot: a short walk along Berrow beach (not NT)
By bus: First (Avon) Service 102 and 112, Burnham – Brean – Weston-super-Mare
By train: Highbridge station is 8½ miles away. From here, get on the 112 bus
By road: signposted from A370 from Weston-super-Mare to Highbridge, follow the Burnham and Berrow coast road
Car park, toilets and a small information centre at Brean Down's Cove Cafe (not NT).
© Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey. All rights reserved. OS licence no. AL 100018591