Weston-super-Mare factfile

How to get to Weston-super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare is a seaside resort town in North Somerset. It is situated on the Bristol Channel, 29 km (18 mi) south-west of Bristol. Well-served by rail and bus, it can be reached via junction 21 of the M5 motorway.

Weston-super-Mare through the ages
With its origins in medieval times, Weston-super-Mare, which we might translate as "the place in the west just above the sea", originally relied on fishing and farming.

With the arrival of the railway in 1841, the town took on a new role as a popular holiday resort. Massive expansion followed and by the early 20th century the town's economy was based almost exclusively on tourism.

Today the town, while continuing to prosper as a leisure centre, has also been eager to embrace light industry and commerce, living upto the town motto: "Ever Forward".

Shopping in Weston-super-Mare
As you'd expect from a leading West Country resort town, Weston-super-Mare offers a wide array of retail choices, from mini-markets to megastores.

The Sovereign Shopping Centre offers 40-odd high-street retailers under one roof along with cafés and restaurants.

Famous people from Weston-super-Mare
Roald Dahl, the much-loved writer of books for both children and adults, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach, went to school in Weston-super-Mare.

Monty Python member and veritable icon of British comedy John Cleese was born in the town in 1939.

Things to see and do around Weston-super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare's famed sandy beach offers a wide variety of entertainment from boat trips, wind and watersports, a Seaquarium, donkey rides, and the Grand Pier.

The town also supports a variety of events throughout the year, including the National Water Ski Races, Helidays—a three-day helicopter festival, a motorbike beach race, and an illuminated carnival.

Famous landmarks in Weston-super-Mare
Grove House is one of the town's oldest buildings dating back to medieval times. Today, it's a popular site for weddings.

Arts and culture in Weston-super-Mare
The town has a number of arts venues. The Winter Gardens on the seafront hosts shows, exhibitions and conferences. The Playhouse is a 658-seat theatre and hosts plays, ballet, opera and pantomimes, while the Blakehay Theatre is a small venue housed in a former Baptist church that caters for both plays and art exhibitions.

Natural beauty spots around Weston-super-Mare
Nearby Brean Cove is a quiet sandy beach, forming part of the Brean Down, one of the most striking landmarks of the Somerset coastline. The beach has good parking and access.

Weston-super-Mare's claim to fame
The beach plays host to Channel 4's annual T4 On The Beach concert every summer. A stellar line-up of hot bands perform songs to a crowd of over 10,000.