ST2859 : Brean : Brean Down
Moderate; steep steps and exposed cliffs

Brean Down

97m Elevation
91m Prominence
England Country
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ST2859 : Brean : Brean Down

Lewis Clarke Photo source

Overview

Brean Down

Hill and summit

Brean Down is a 97 m Somerset headland, classed as a Tump and Subhump. The natural high point at ST2849259012 lies just northwest of the trig pillar. The fort is farther west on lower ground.

Walking route

The National Trust's coastal circuit starts and finishes at Cove Café, ST296588. Its published totals are 4.8 km and 50–70 minutes; allow longer for stops and conditions. The outward southern line passes archaeological remains and the high ridge before reaching the fort. Return on the northern side to the steps and café. The published beach approach is tide-dependent. A road alternative or an exact-summit detour changes the line; those variations have no verified totals here. Carry the Trust's route map.

Landscape and history

Carboniferous limestone and dolomitised beds form the headland. Archaeological remains span prehistoric settlement, an Iron Age hillfort and a Romano-Celtic temple. The western fort dates from the 1860s and was used again in the Second World War. Brean's name has no secure derivation established here.

Access and safety

Use the National Trust car park at the foot of the Down. Confirm its tariff and closing time. Café and toilet hours vary. First's service 20 serves Brean, with an additional walk to the start; check the date-specific timetable.

Cliffs, slippery steps, wind and deep tidal mud require care. Keep children supervised and dogs on leads. Do not explore mudflats or try to cross the Axe estuary. The views reach across the Bristol Channel when visibility permits.

Other hills

Brent Knoll, 139 m, is a separate outing and is not included in this circuit.

Explore routes near Brean Down

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Weston-super-Mare Walk with Men Walking & Talking

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Yatton to Sandford Strawberry Line and Cider Orchards

15.2 km ~4h 30m Easy

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Cheddar River Yeo and Stubbingham Drove Circuit

8.2 km ~2h 30m Moderate

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Ramscombe, Dead Woman’s Ditch and Adscombe woodland circuit, Quantock Hills

6.9 km ~2h 30m Moderate

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Brean Down coastal circuit

Start and finish at Cove Café, ST296588. Use the published low-tide beach approach to the steep steps only when safe, then follow the southern path past the temple and field remains, over the high ridge to the western fort. Return along the northern side past the Iron Age earthworks, curving back to the steps and café. National Trust totals: 4.8 km, 50–70 minutes; stops take longer. Check tide conditions for the return too. The military-road alternative and any exact-summit diversion are different lines without verified totals here. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/somerset/brean-down/brean-down-coastal-walk

4.8 km Moderate; steep steps and cliff-edge exposure
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

0-99m hill Subhump

Elevation

97m

318 ft

Prominence

91m

Coordinates

51.3256, -3.0277

ST284590

OS Map

182

Explorer: 153

At the Summit

The 97 m summit is natural ground a few metres northwest of the trig pillar, at ST2849259012. The Victorian fort is a separate, lower objective at the western end of the headland.

Terrain & Geology

A steep stepped climb leads to undulating grassy and locally rocky paths. The military road offers a different approach; the complete coastal circuit is not a level step-free walk.

Brean Down is a Carboniferous Limestone headland, continuing the Mendip rocks westwards. Some beds have been altered to dolomite; the coastal exposures show several formations.

Views & Scenery

Bristol Channel, the Somerset coast and Weston Bay, with the Welsh coast visible in clear conditions.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The origin of the place-name Brean is uncertain.

Historical Significance

The scheduled archaeological landscape includes prehistoric settlement and burials, an Iron Age hillfort and a Romano-Celtic temple. The fort at the western tip was built in the 1860s and reused during the Second World War.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

National Trust car park beside Cove Café at the foot of the Down, Brean Down Road, TA8 2RS. Charges apply to non-members; check the current tariff and closing time. Members must register their membership for free parking.

Public Transport

First service 20 connects Weston-super-Mare, Brean and Burnham-on-Sea. The bus approach through Brean adds a substantial walk to the Down, outside the circuit distance. Check stops and the last return; the operator lists 1 November 2026 as the last seasonal Sunday service.

Nearby Facilities

Café and toilets, including an accessible toilet and baby-change facilities, are beside the car park. Check opening hours; there are no regular facilities on the headland.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Stay on the main paths, away from the very steep cliff edges; supervise children.
  • Keep dogs on leads throughout the Down; grazing livestock may be present.
  • Wind, wet grass, rocks and steps can make the exposed headland hazardous, with little shelter.
  • Check tides before using any beach approach. Avoid dangerous deep mud and never attempt an estuary shortcut.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Brean Down?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Brean Down through the maps

Are there other walkers around Brean Down?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Brean Down search or of course create your own walk for Brean Down

Can I organise a walk to Brean Down?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Brean Down.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Brean Down?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Brean Down here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

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Location

Brean Down location map

Grid reference: ST284590

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

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