Sedgemoor Levels and Moors

Steeped in history, Sedgemoor - Somerset by the Sea -has some of the county's most stunning scenery, from the fragile Levels and Moors to the towering cliffs of Cheddar Gorge. Inland, Sedgemoor takes in the quiet beauty of the Quan-tock, Mendip and Polden Hills, whilst on the coast there are miles of sand and unspoilt dunes, perfect for family fun and quieter pursuits such as bird watching. Visitors have been coming to Cheddar Gorge in the Mendip Hills for hundreds of years to experience its breathtaking Limestone cliffs. The famous show caves are open to the public and visitors can also watch real Cheddar cheese being made in the traditional way.

A few miles from Cheddar is the attractive village of Axbridge, with its mediaevaltown square and restored half timbered buildings such as King John's Hunting Lodge, now a museum.  Popular with walkers and cyclists, the rolling Quantock Hills sweep south from the coast towards Bridgwater; deep wooded valleys on the slopes contrast with the open moorland creating beautiful views in every direction. The hills were an inspiration to the romantic poets Coleridge and Wordsworth who botOh lived in the area during the late 18th century. The cottage where Coleridge once lived, in Nether Stowey, is now owned by the National Trust and is open to the public.

Between the hills are the Somerset Levels and Moors -quiet wetlands famous for their willows and unspolit meadows. The Levels offer excellent opportunities for angling, cycling and wildlife. Bridgwater, pictured below, is an ancient port, the fine examples of Georgian archiiecture reflecting its prosperous past. Much of Bridgwater's history can be discovered at the Blake Museum named after the town's famous son, Robert Blake, Cromwell's General at Sea. Each November, Bridgwater is also home to the largest illuminated Carnival in the world.

A magnificent sweep of sand stretches from the seaside resort of Burnham-on-Sea, north past the holiday villages of Berrow and Brean, to the National Trust headland of Brean Down. This seven-mile beach is one of the area's great attractions. Backed by dunes and with one of the highest tidal ranges in the world, the sands provide a wonderful expanse for activities such as kite flying and sand yachting. Burnham-on-Sea has a fine esplanade and seafront overlooking Bridgwater Bay and the distant Welsh coast. With its trade mark nine-legged
lighthouse on the beach the resort has all the ingredients for a traditional English seaside holiday - donkey rides, ice creams, a jetty for launching boats, and pier pavilion. Along the coast you can find a full range of accommodation at Berrow and Brean. The area is particularly noted for its variety of campsites and holiday parks which offer a great range of facilities, from fishing lakes to golf courses, from swimming pools to entertainment complexes, some even have direct access to the beach.

For more information on the area contact Burnham-on-Sea Tourist Information Centre on 01278 787852 or visit our website www.somer-setbythesea.co.uk

Contributed by: Louise Roberts