Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset
Until the late 18th century Burnham-on-Sea was nothing more than a quiet fishing village on the edge of the Somerset Levels, close to where the River Parrett flows into the Bristol Channel. With it's long stretch of sandy beach and the rise in the popularty of seaside towns, it wasn't going to stay that way for long and as it pulled more and more visitors each year, so it grew to become one of the busiest resorts on the Somerset coast. Go there when you're on your large group holidays in the South West and you'll soon see that Burnham-on-Sea retains something of the air and charm of a traditional seaside town, the kind that good old fashioned British holidays are made of, where you might roll up your trouser legs for a paddle, and hire a deckchair for an afternoon snooze in the sun while the kids happily make sandcastles.
The beach gets rather busy in the season, with the draw of with donkey rides, ice creams and candyfloss, and a separate launch for boats and jet skis. There's a pier, albeit a very short one, with a big Edwardian pavilion where you'll find gift shops, food stalls and amusements; on the main beach there's a very unsual low lighthouse, standing only 36 feet high on legs, much photographed and featured on a lot of postcards.
Back in town there are several family run shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, plus the obligatory public gardens and theatre. If you fancy fish and chips on the seafront you may have a tough time deciding where to get them from, so go with the local’s suggestions and try the Battered Fryer or Brit Chips. If you’d prefer a Mediterranean theme go and sit at a table at La Vela Restaurant.
All information correct at the time of writing