5 reasons to love Clevedon

Pier-ing in

The official opening of Clevedon pier was held on Easter Monday, 29th March 1869. The landmark has experienced upheaval over the years, with part of it even falling into the sea at one point.

These days you can take a walk along the beautiful pier and experience the surrounding vistas, or have a bite to eat at The Glass Box, with its stunning views.

Go for a dip

Clevedon Marine Lake is a tidal pool on the Somerset coast. It gets filled with seawater from the Bristol Channel every spring tide and is used for swimming and boating.

The lake is owned by North Somerset Council and is run by a charity called Marlens.

Every year the area holds a Lake Day, which brings together all sorts of lake activities and taster sessions – there’s something for everyone.

Retail therapy

Clevedon enjoys a plethora of independent retailers, from gift shops and clothes shops to a chocolate shop.

In particular, Hill Road is lined with boutiques and treasure troves. Or Clevedon Craft Centre is situated on the outskirts of the Victorian seaside resort. The many and varied art and crafts provide an opportunity to purchase the highest quality original work directly from the designer/makers themselves.

Dining out

There’s an eclectic mix of restaurants and cafes to choose from in Clevedon.

For breakfast try Tiffin at the Beach for green eggs and ham or The Beach Big Breakfast with a view. For lunch it has to be Italian restaurant Scoozi ,in Hill Road, for its gamberoni and woodfired pizzas. And for dinner you’d be spoilt for choice between more of the same at Scoozi, the amazing set Chinese menus at Junior Poon or Murrays of Clevedon, for its restaurant and incredible deli.

The Curzon

Purpose-built in 1912 by local entrepreneur Victor Cox, The Picture House, as it was called then, opened five days after the Titanic disaster, with a fundraiser for relatives of the victims.

Threatened with closure in 1996, the cinema was saved thanks largely to local support, and now flourishes under the ownership of the community.

This building has survived two world wars and the dawn of the digital age: and is the oldest, continually running, purpose-built, independent cinema in the country.