Weston-super-Mare

"Oldmixon" redirects here. For the writer, see John Oldmixon.

Weston-super-Mare
From the top to bottom-right, Weston-super-Mare beach, Winter Gardens Pavilion, Town Hall, Blakehay Theatre, Grand Pier
Weston-super-Mare is located in Somerset
Weston-super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare
Location within Somerset
Population82,418 (2021 Census)[1]
DemonymWestonian
OS grid referenceST320613
Civil parish
  • Weston-super-Mare
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townWESTON-SUPER-MARE
Postcode districtBS22–BS24
Dialling code01934
PoliceAvon and Somerset
FireAvon
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Somerset

51°20′46″N 2°58′37″W / 51.346°N 2.977°W / 51.346; -2.977

Map

Weston-super-Mare (/ ... ˈmɛər/ ... MAIR), also known simply as Weston, is a seaside town and civil parish in the North Somerset unitary authority area in the county of Somerset, England. It lies by the Bristol Channel 20 miles (32 km) south-west of Bristol between Worlebury Hill and Bleadon Hill. Its population at the 2021 census was 82,418.[1]

The area around the town has been occupied since the Iron Age. It was still a small village until the 19th century when it developed as a seaside resort. A railway station and two piers were built.[2] In the second half of the 20th century it was connected to the M5 motorway but the number of people holidaying in the town declined and some local industries closed, although the number of day visitors has risen.

Attractions include the Grand Pier, Weston Museum and The Helicopter Museum. Cultural venues include The Playhouse, the Winter Gardens and the Blakehay Theatre.

The Bristol Channel has a large tidal range; the low tide mark in Weston Bay is about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the seafront. The beach is sandy but low tide reveals areas of thick mud[3][4][5] which are dangerous to walk on. The mouth of the River Axe is at the south end of the beach. To the north of the town is Sand Point which marks the upper limit of the Bristol Channel and the lower limit of the Severn Estuary. In the centre of the town is Ellenborough Park, which is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the range of plant species found there.

  1. ^ a b "Weston-super-Mare". City population. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  2. ^ Brodie, Allan; Roethe, Johanna (25 January 2020). "Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset: Historical and Architectural Development. Historic England Research Report 1/2020". research.historicengland.org.uk. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Weston super Mare". Vision of Britain. University of Portsmouth. Archived from the original on 10 December 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  4. ^ "Weston super Mare". Bristol Nomads. Archived from the original on 11 May 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  5. ^ "Miles of Golden Sands". Weston super Mare. Archived from the original on 22 June 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.