Brellanmere Beach

The stretch of mud and saltmarsh that makes up Brellanmere Beach isn't what most people imagine when they think of a seaside day out. There's no golden sand, no ice cream vans, no families with windbreaks. What you get instead is proper wildlife habitat - the kind of place where wading birds congregate in serious numbers and the landscape shifts with the tides in ways that feel genuinely wild.

It's a nature reserve, essentially, and the appeal is entirely dependent on whether you're the sort of person who gets excited by binoculars and bird identification guides. Birdwatchers and nature photographers will find their time well spent here. The mudflats attract curlew, redshank, and dunlin depending on the season. Walk at low tide and you'll see the full extent of the reserve; come at high water and it's a different proposition altogether.

Location-wise, it's within easy reach of Bridgwater, making it a logical addition if you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Mill Farm is closest at just over three miles, while Haven Burnham-on-Sea and Burnham Holiday Village offer family-friendly alternatives a bit further out. The reserve is free to access, though facilities are minimal. Allow an hour or two depending on your level of enthusiasm for waders and wetland ecology.

Honestly? If you're after dramatic coastal scenery or a traditional beach experience, look elsewhere. But if you're a serious birdwatcher or you want to show kids what an actual working ecosystem looks like, it's worth the detour.