Sand Point (Kewstoke) walk

Sand Point (National Trust, free entry) is a grassy hill / headland at the end of a long and wide sandy beach (Kewstoke Bay) that sticks out into the Bristol Channel with great views.

The hill is 49m (160 ft) high and has a trig point. It is 3km long, of which 1km is the headland out into the Bristol Channel. It has limestone / volcanic rocky beaches on its north side.

A short walk is from the NT car park to the tip of the headland.

A longer walk is along the crest of the hill, returning along the north shore beaches.

The longest option is a circular walk, but out and back walks coastal walks are recomended instead.

There is an enclosure (a tall metal fence) at the east end of the hill to keep out grazing animals, but there is open access via a gate.

There are 3 starting points, the Kewstoke beach bus stop / car park (followed by a pleasant 1.5km walk along the beach side path), the NT pay car park at the base of the hill, or a remote NT car park on the sea wall near Woodspring Priory at the far east end of the hill

Warning: Due to the 8m tidal range, the sea at Kewstoke bay goes out over a mile exposing mud flats - do not walk out on to them.

South to Weston-Super-Mare

Recommended. Walk along Kewstoke's wide sandy beach, then around a wooded headland (not over, its a forest with limited views), passing an abandoned but now being restored pier - nice coast path all the way, and no estuaries to walk around! Return to your car via the direct #1 bus.

North to Clevedon

Danger Do not try and cross the river estuaries at low tide - its too dangerous - deep mud.

There are 2 river estuaries to walk around, the River Banwell (adds 1km), and the River Yeo (adds 4km), then a long sea wall walk with mud flats - suprisingly remote low coast line. The last stretch into Clevedon is interesting, small harbour, low hill, a beach and a listed pier.

Sand Point is north of Weston-Super-Mare (the nearest train station) on the Bristol Channel, near the M5 and Bristol

There is an hourly bus - #1 Coaster : Weston Super Mare (station) - Sand Bay

By car.

• NT car park by Sand Point itself, £5 to non members, BS22 9UD. Quite small - fills up early in summer and sunny weekends.
• There is no street parking on (Kewstoke Bay) Beach Road - it is too narrow.
• Bus stop car park £3. There is a little street parking inland from the bus stop car park.
• Woodspring / Middle Hope NT car park, free, BS22 9YU Turn right at the 'Y', at the end of a single track lane, just before the Priory.

Woodspring Priory is a 15thC church on the remains of an earlier Priory, easily visible from the eastern end of the hill. It was restored by the Landmark Trust, and is now part holiday let, part museum.

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

You can also upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Oct-24 Andrew