Bristol day trip: Things to do in Clevedon with kids

Salty swimming, sea glass hunting, sexy coastline and a side of Victorian English seaside charm – Clevedon is one of our favourite family trips from Bristol especially when the sun is shining. From Bristol to Clevedon takes just half an hour down the M5, so you can be in beautiful North Somerset for a blast of sea air and soul-nourishing ocean-gazing (the Bristol Channel counts in this category right?) in next to no time. With its beach location, outdoor activities, boutique shops and independent restaurants, it’s a great day out with kids.

Like its North Somerset coastal neighbour, Weston-super-Mare, as more and more Bristolians have been upping sticks after lockdown to avoid skyrocketing house prices and hideous traffic – preferring Clevedon’s more affordable homes and coastal lifestyle – the former Victorian resort is being ‘discovered’ anew. The place feels buzzy, the indie scene is expanding and transport links have improved.

Here are our favourite things to do in Clevedon with kids…

What to do in Clevedon with kids

Go for family-friendly walks around Clevedon

If your kids are anything like mine, they’ll need running around/wearing out early on! I have two favourite family strolls in Clevedon – one is Poet’s Walk and the other is a simply buggy-friendly amble along the seafront from Clevedon Marine Lake down to Clevedon Pier.

Pay for parking next to the Salthouse Bar & Restaurant (if you end up eating here, you can claim some of your fee back).

1. Poet’s Walk Clevedon

So-named in reference to the poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Alfred Tennyson who were inspired by their time in Clevedon, Poet’s Walk is a 2km circular clifftop stroll. It’s a great one for kids as there’s a little castle, space to run free, plus it’s not too long.

Bearing left out of the Salthouse Pub car park (if you’re looking at the sea), you can pick up the walk at one end of Clevedon Marine Lake. Take the path towards the wooded area and you’ll reach a viewpoint looking out over the sea towards the pier and lake below.

Keep following the path past the pretty St Andrew’s Church (used as a filming location in Broadchurch) and onto open green fields for far-reaching views over the Severn Estuary.

Clevedon seafront walk

If you turn right out of the Salthouse Pub car park, you can follow the seafront promenade all the way past the marine lake, Salthouse fields with its summertime bouncy castle, mini golf, skate park, food kiosks and Victorian bandstand to Clevedon Pier.

A flat, gentle stroll, it’s perfect for buggies, scooters and bikes, although it does get busy at weekends so bear that in mind! Pop into one of the cafes, hit pebbly Clevedon Beach or visit the Grade 1* listed pier before heading back to the car.

Clevedon Pier

Pay just a few pounds to go on Clevedon Pier and you can sashay (or croon One Direction style – the band filmed on the pier a few years ago) down the UK’s only Grade 1* listed pier. Finished in 1869 as a landing point for paddle steamers transporting passengers along the Severn Estuary from Wales and Devon, Waverley cruises to Minehead, Ilfracombe, Penarth, Porth Cawl and Swansea still leave from here.

If you’d rather stay put, there are some cracking views across the Severn Estuary to Wales, plus a pagoda cafe at the far end serving coffee and cake.

Adult £3.50, child aged 4-15 – £2.35, family £10.

Clevedon Beach

This long pebbly beach right next to the pier is backed by a cluster of restaurants and has a slipway running into the sea. Kids love scouring the stones for sea glass here, picking up driftwood and climbing on the rocks.

If it’s nice weather, pop over to the cafe across the road for some takeaway chips to eat on the beach.. An ice cream van is often parked up here too, if you want to indulge in the ultimate seaside treat.

Clevedon Marine Lake

Built in 1929 and recently refurbished, Clevedon Marine Lake is an enormous tidal infinity pool with a photogenic Bristol Channel backdrop. You’ll need a thick skin or a wetsuit to brave a dip in the water (it’s about 13.5 degrees C in May), or you could always take a paddleboard or canoe.

Even if you’re not venturing in, kids love walking around the edge and there’s crabs if you have the kit to fish them out.

Clevedon Salthouse Fields

Next to the Salthouse Fields car park, you can’t fail to spot (and if you do, your offspring will no doubt clock them) a whole host of kiddo entertainment.

Clevedon play park is a large playground with sand pit, swings, slides and climbing frames, and you might find a bouncy castle and a carousel here too in summer. Excellent motivation as a treat for kids after a wander.

Salthouse Bar & Restaurant

Located next to the start of Poet’s Walk and Clevedon Marine Lake, Salthouse Bar and Restaurant is a lovely pub and definitely one you should keep in mind for al fresco dining on sunny days. If you can, get a table in the area overlooking the kids’ playground, so they can have a play while you’re waiting for your pub grub and drinks (the perfect pub parenting combo am I right?!) This spot also has the best views over the Bristol Channel, Clevedon pier and the marine lake.

For more Clevedon things to do ideas, places to eat out and lots more fun stuff taking place in the town, check out www.discoverclevedon.co.uk