We may be landlocked in Gloucestershire, but beach lovers don't have far to travel for sand, sea and — hopefully — sunshine, with SoGlos's handpicked selection of beaches in and around the county.
With all beaches within a 90-minute drive from Gloucestershire, it won’t be long before you’re slathering on the sun cream and sitting back in a deck chair, surrounded by crashing waves and fresh sea air. Don't forget your bucket and spade!
Cotswold Country Park and Beach
You don't even have to leave Gloucestershire for a seaside experience — the county is home to the UK's largest inland paddling beach! Near Cirencester, the Cotswold Country Park and Beach offers everything from water sports to relaxing on the sand, with a man-made beach and lagoon.
Try paddleboarding or go for the full Total Wipeout experience on the AquaVenture inflatable obstacle course, with barbecues to hire for a beachside feast and refreshments available from the Beach Shack Cafe. Booking is essential to guarantee entry on the hottest days of the year!
Severn Beach
We admit, it's not conventionally beautiful... but just a short drive down the M5, Severn Beach near Bristol is a convenient day trip from Gloucestershire, if you're seeking a seaside fix.
Formerly a lively seaside resort, dubbed 'the Blackpool of the West' in its heyday, it's a popular spot with dog walkers, cyclists and wildlife watchers, with the chance to stroll along the estuary for impressive views of the Severn Bridge and spot migrating birds and seals.
Weston-super-Mare beach
A popular day trip for Gloucestershire families for generations, Weston-super-Mare has everything a traditional seaside resort could want — including a pier, amusements, a promenade, donkey rides and one of the longest naturally occurring beaches in the UK.
The town and its chippies are just a short walk away, with events like Weston Beach Race to look forward to on the seafront, too.
Uphill Slipway Beach
Close to Weston-super-Mare but attracting fewer crowds, Uphill Slipway is a beautiful sandy beach just a little over an hour outside Gloucestershire.
Dogs are welcome at the beach, as well as at The Boathouse bar and bistro cafe, and you can climb the hill to get to the local nature reserve — a luscious green spot to soak up some pretty scenery and views.
Berrow Beach
For a fantastical seaside experience, head to Berrow Beach between Burnham-on-Sea and Brean Down, for the chance to spot a shipwreck on the shoreline!
The remains of a 19th-century vessel, the SS Normen, can be viewed from the beach at low water — but be very careful, as low tide exposes dangerous sinking sand around the wreckage. Shipwreck aside, Berrow Beach offers a six-mile stretch of flat, sandy beach backed by sand dunes that you can explore, too.
Sand Bay
Another one of Weston-super-Mare's hidden gems, the relatively wild Sand Bay is just over an hour's drive from Gloucestershire. This wide sand and shingle beach boasts stunning views across to South Wales and welcomes dogs all year round.
Beachgoers won't go hungry, with a tearoom and chip shop (although currently closed for refurbishment, it's due to open again soon); while for keen walkers, there's the chance to stroll along to Sand Point for walks up to the headland.
Clevedon Beach
Under an hour form Gloucestershire, Clevedon Beach near Bristol is a pebble and sand shore with the world's largest sea water infinity pool on the seafront. Open all year round, Clevedon Marine Lake even hosts an annual New Year's Day dip!
After strolling along the promenade, check out England's only Grade I listed pier — voted Pier of the Year in 2021, no less! Make a pitstop at the Victorian Pagoda Cafe for refreshments or seaside fish and chips at The Glass Box restaurant.
Brean Beach
Just down the coast from Weston-super-Mare, Brean Beach has one of the longest stretches of sand in Europe — offering seven miles of sandcastle-building opportunities!
This sandy coastline welcomes dogs all year round and for those who don't mind a climb, there's gorgeous views from the top of Brean Down. The nearby Brean Leisure Park makes a fantastic family day out, too, with fairground rides for all ages and an award-winning water park, complete with 'disco slide'!
Penarth Beach
Just under 90 minutes outside of Gloucestershire, Penarth is a pretty, pebbly beach to the south of Cardiff, where dogs are welcome from October to April.
Penarth has a picturesque pier with an art deco pavilion that regularly hosts exhibitions and live events. Not to mention it's a prime spot for fossil hunting, with 200-million-year-old dinosaur footprints to find on the foreshore — promising the opportunity to, quite literally, walk with dinosaurs!
