Weston Bay is an inlet of theBristol Channel inNorth Somerset, England.
It lies betweenBrean Down, which is now owned by theNational Trust, is rich inwildlife,history andarchaeology, and has been designated aSite of Special Scientific Interest[1] to the south, andWorlebury Hill to the north. Quarrying took place at various places on Worlebury Hill from the late 18th century until the town quarry was abandoned in 1953.[2] Weston Woods, which cover a large part of the hill top, were awarded a Planting Places Award in a scheme run by Sustainability South West to celebrate "brilliant examples of urban greenspaces" on 6 March 2008.[3]
Much of the bay forms the seafront forWeston-super-Mare. Twopiers stick out into the bay. Thegrade II* listedBirnbeck Pier was designed byEugenius Birch and opened in 1867.[4] The early 20th centuryGrand Pier, is supported by 600iron piles, and is 400 metres (1,300 ft) long.[5] It has been damaged by fire on two occasions, once in 1930 and again in 2008.[6]
Owing to the large rise and fall of thetides in the Bristol Channel, the low tide mark is about a mile from the seafront. Although the beach itself is sandy, further seawards the shore is thickmud, which is very dangerous to walk in and is crossed by the mouth of theRiver Axe. From the bay, views of the islands ofFlat Holm andSteep Holm are visible.