Why the Somerset coast suits young families

The Somerset coastline is often overlooked in favour of Devon and Cornwall, and for families with small children that is quietly good news. Parking is easier, the crowds are thinner, and the beaches tend to be gently shelving, so you can settle down with a bucket and spade without queuing for a patch of sand. The Bristol Channel also delivers something rather special: one of the largest tidal ranges in the world. That means vast expanses of flat, firm sand at low tide, ideal for toddlers who want to run, dig and paddle in ankle-deep water.

It does mean you need to plan around the tide rather than fight it. More on that below, because it is the single most important thing to understand before you take little ones anywhere near the water here.

Sandy stretches to put on your list

If sand is non-negotiable, these are the spots that deliver it.

• Burnham-on-Sea — A proper seaside town with a broad sandy beach, a low lighthouse on the sand and a promenade that is pushchair-friendly. The tide goes out a very long way, which gives you a huge play area, but it also means a long walk back when it turns.
• Berrow and Brean — Just along the coast, these beaches are wide, sandy and backed by dunes. Excellent for kite flying, digging and games. Access is straightforward, with parking close to the sand in several places.
• Minehead — At the western end of the county, Minehead offers a sandy beach plus a promenade, a play area and plenty of places to buy an ice cream. The slope into the water is gentle, which helps with nervous paddlers.
• Blue Anchor — A quieter, more old-fashioned spot with a mix of sand and shingle and a level seafront ideal for a slow afternoon. Handy if you want the seaside without the bustle.

Paddling safely: read the water before the children do

The tides here are not a minor detail. Water recedes hundreds of metres, then returns across flat sand far faster than most people expect. A few practical habits keep the day relaxed.

• Check the tide times before you leave home and aim to arrive as the tide is going out, giving yourself a clear window of safe paddling.
• Paddle close to shore and stay within a few metres of your children at all times. Inflatables and bodyboards are best left at home on this coast.
• Avoid soft mud and the muddy channels that appear as the tide drops. They look solid and are not, and wellies can be sucked off in seconds.
• Use beaches where lifeguards are on duty during the summer season, and follow any flags or signs without debate.
• Set a turnaround time — say, an hour before the tide turns — and stick to it rather than waiting for the water to reach your picnic blanket.

The facilities that make or break a trip

With a buggy, a changing bag and a toddler who needs the loo the moment you have unpacked, facilities matter as much as sand quality. Before you commit to a beach, check four things.

• Toilets — Look for public conveniences near the main access point, and check whether they are open out of season. Many are seasonal.
• Parking — Prefer car parks within a short, level walk of the sand. Some beaches charge by the day rather than the hour.
• Cafés and shops — A nearby café means hot drinks, a loo and somewhere to shelter if the weather turns. Burnham-on-Sea and Minehead are well served; the quieter spots are not.
• Access — Promenades and slipways are far easier with a pushchair than steep paths or soft dunes.

More than sand: rockpools, fossils and steam trains

Not every family day needs a sandy beach. The rocky stretch around Kilve is a wonderful place for rockpooling, with shallow pools full of crabs, anemones and winkles, plus fossils in the rocks for older children to hunt. Sturdy shoes are essential, and the same tide rules apply.

Further west, the West Somerset coast pairs a beach trip with something extra. There is a heritage steam railway running between Minehead and the surrounding villages, and crabbing off harbour walls at Watchet and Porlock Weir keeps children happily occupied with a line, a weight and a bit of bacon.

Timing, weather and what to pack

The Somerset coast is at its best on a clear, still day, but it is also famously breezy, and the wind off the channel can make a warm afternoon feel cool within minutes. Pack layers, even in July. Sun cream and hats are non-negotiable, because there is very little shade on these beaches, and a windbreak is worth the boot space if you plan to stay for a few hours.

Bring wellies or old trainers for muddy patches, a change of clothes for each child, and plenty of water. Buckets, spades and a groundsheet complete the kit. Arrive early for the best parking, check the tide table the night before, and the Somerset coast gives families one of the easiest, happiest seaside days in the West Country.