Severn Beach

Severn Beach - Gloucestershire
© Ceri Thomas and licensed for reuse under this Licence

Once upon a time Severn Beach was a thriving holiday resort, before which it was backed by farmland. As with many Victorian / Edwardian resorts it was the arrival of the railway which provided the catalyst for development.

By the 1930s Severn Beach was a popular weekend getaway for the residents of Bristol and beyond. There were numerous cafes and pubs, a funfair and even an immensely popular outdoor swimming pool.

However, over the years, as with other British seaside towns, decline set in. To be honest, today it is quite hard to imagine the idea of anyone coming here on holiday. Severn Beach is quite devoid of charm being mostly a commuter town these days.

As for the beach itself; the only reason you would really consider there being a beach here is that the place name has \“beach\” in it! A mix of mud, pebble and rock sloping into the brown waters of the Severn Estuary are somewhat uninviting.

It isn\‘t all bad though. The Seven Way runs along here and it is a pleasant stroll along the wide riverside pathway. There are wide grassy areas beyond, and some great views of the Severn Bridges.

Type of beach

Pebble and mud

Lifeguard service

No

Dogs friendly beach?

Dogs allowed

Gloucestershire dog friendly beaches »

Activities

  • Good fishing

Facilities

  • Picnic area
  • Promenade

Nearest town

Chepstow

Postcode

BS35 4PE

OS grid ref.

ST 5385 8507

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Severn Beach Reviews

Adrian
Mar 19th 2021

Blackpool of the West, well it was!

Unmissable place !

richard david paul
Oct 17th 2022

“Devoid of charm” indeed !  This is a great place for a day out - if only to see
what Andrew Swift means in his excellent “Walks from Bristol’s Severn Beach
Line” : “nothing can prepare you for the otherness of Severn Beach” !
OK, not much of a “Beach” - but the estuary light here is fantastic, and the
views of the Bridges and Wales great. Healthy walks along the Prom, to
either of the two really good and friendly beach cafes. Best of all, it has the Grand Terminus of the Severn Beach line from Temple Meads,  one of the most scenic and fascinating railway lines in the country. Very good public
loos near the Prom, too.
Quite simply : you really must experience the Otherness of Severn Beach !