A quick guide to Weston-super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare, sometimes known simply as Weston, is a seaside town in Somerset, southwest England. It lies on the Bristol Channel 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Bristol and around 10 miles (16 km) south of Cardiff. Its population at the 2011 national census was 76,143.
A Fleeting History
Weston Super Mare started out as an Iron Age hill fort, Worlebury Camp, which was built around 2,000 years ago at a site above the present-day town. There’s also archaeological evidence to suggest that the Romans were present in the town. It is thought that a Roman building of some description once occupied the site of Weston College. After the Roman departure in 410 AD Weston was nothing more than a small hamlet, where its residents eked out a living from fishing and/or farming. During the early Middle Ages, a church was built, which soon became the focal point of the village.
The first recorded use of the name ‘Weston’ was made in 1226 when recorded in the Dean and Chapter of the Wells’ register. The name simply being derived from Anglo Saxon, meaning a ‘settlement in the west’. By 1234, Weston had become Weston-propre-Worle, meaning Weston near Worle, and then Weston-juxta-Worle, meaning the same thing. After that, it became Weston-juxta-Mare, then Weston-upon-More, môr being the Welsh word for sea. Later, there were several other variations, but the earliest known reference to Weston-super-Mare was made in 1348, by Ralph of Shrewsbury, the Bishop of Wells. The “super-Mare” was borrowed from Latin, translating as “on-Sea”, and was added to distinguish it from a number of other settlements named Weston in the Bath/Wells area.
However, despite its multiple name changes, life in Weston remained relatively unaltered for a couple of centuries. That was until 1568, when calamine, a form of zinc ore, was discovered at Worle Hill. It was the first find of calamine, which is essential in the production of brass, in Britain. The discovery of lead ore on Worlebury Hill soon followed. By 1600, with newfound wealth, Weston got its first large manor house. The hall was built by William Arthur of Clapton, a member of a well-known English landed family of the time. Later, it passed by marriage to the Winter family, who occupied the manor until 1696. The estate was then sold to John Pigott of Brockley, whose family held it until 1914.
The late 18th century saw a great rise in the popularity of sea bathing across Britain. Weston’s close proximity to the major urban centres of Bristol and Bath gave it a great advantage. Soon bathing machines began appearing on its beaches, and in 1810, the town’s very first hotel was built. In 1820, a spa was also opened on the island of Knightstone. In 1822, a first guide book for visitors to Weston was published, which paints a clear picture of life in the town at that time. Weston consisted of a hotel, two inns, a few boarding houses, a Methodist chapel, a parish church and a post office, with a total population of 735.
The ‘new’ Grand Pier was built in 2008
Famed civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and his family lived in Weston, while he oversaw the construction of the Bristol and Exeter Railway through the area. The railway opened in 1841, making Weston accessible to the masses for day trips, weekends and longer vacations. Working-class families from South Wales also began to arrive in great numbers, via a paddle steamer service, that traversed the Bristol Channel. In 1867, Birnbeck Pier was completed in order to cater for the ferry service. The pier soon became popular, offering amusement arcades, tea rooms, fairground rides and a photographic studio.
By the turn of the century Weston was so popular, that in 1903, work began on a second jetty, Grand Pier, which opened a year later. At the end of the pier, a 2,000 seat theatre was built. In 1907, the pier was extended by more than 450 m, with the intention that it would accommodate small ships and boats making the 10-mile crossing from Cardiff. However, dangerous currents in the Bristol Channel made the plan unworkable, and the extension was eventually demolished.
During World War 1, a total of 402 soldiers from the Weston area were killed. A memorial to the fallen was established at the town’s Grove Park. The interwar years saw a number of grand additions to Weston’s leisure facilities, including the Winter Gardens and Pavilion, the Marine Lake, and an open-air pool.
In 1936, because of its strategic location, Weston even got its own airport. During the Whit holidays of 1937, more than 2,500 passengers arrived by air to Weston, a significant number of flyers for the period. In January 1939, the Royal Air Force established RAF Locking, a technical training school, just outside Weston. During the start of WW2, the RAF did not have an airfield at Weston, but in May 1940, took over the civilian airport. The Ministry of Aircraft Production also went on to build a factory at nearby Oldmixon to manufacture the Bristol Beaufighter. The Second World War helped to establish, what was to be Weston’s long association with the aeronautical industry. After the war, the Oldmixon factory switched to helicopter manufacture. The RAF operated out of the airfield in a limited capacity up until 1966.
However, the presence of the airport, its aircraft industry, a transatlantic cable office and a naval weapons research establishment at Birnbeck Pier, made Weston a prime target of the Luftwaffe. The worst raid on the town took place over 2 nights in June 1942, when significant parts of the town centre were destroyed. The bombing also claimed over 100 lives with more than 400 others sustaining an injury.
The post-war years saw a disjointed approach to the redevelopment of the town centre. Two of the master plans drawn up for the town were to not to get any further than the drawing board. By the 1960s societal changes in transport saw more tourists arriving in the town by car rather than train. The number of steamers arriving from Wales also declined sharply after the opening of the Severn Bridge in 1966. From the late 1960s, Weston, like many other British seaside resorts began to experience competition challenges from the emerging cheap foreign holiday market.
The Modern Era
By the 1970s, cheap foreign holidays quickly became established as the norm, with Weston seeing a steady decline in visitors staying overnight. However, Weston fared better than many of its seaside counterparts, since the town has experienced an impressive increase in the number of day-trippers during the same period.
Weston Helicopter Museum has one of the largest collection of old helicopters in the world
In 1988, a Helicopter Museum was established Weston’s airfield documenting the history of the town’s helicopter history. The only activities at the airfield now are limited to private pleasure helicopter flights during the summer months but it’s also a base for regular events organised by the Helicopter Museum.
Today, tourism is still a major part of Weston’s economy. However, the town also relies heavily on the service industry as a source of employment, since two of its biggest employers are the local council and Weston College. Yet, Weston is also still regarded as one of the most important business and industrial centres in the South West of England. Its location, midway between Bristol and Exeter, has made the town a preferred location as a regional HQ of some of the area’s largest employers, including Augusta Westland, Lidl and GKN. The Weston Industrial Estate set on a 22-acre site on the south edge of the town, having easy access to the nearby M5, is the area’s prime business site.
Since 1983, Weston has been twinned with Hildesheim in Germany.
Getting there!
By Road
It’s easy getting to Weston by road, just take the M5 turning off at Junction 21 on to the A370. Weston is about 4 miles away. From Devon and Cornwall, you can turn off the M5 at Junction 22 and then take the A370 eastwards.
By Train
There are direct services between London Victoria and Weston. Trains run about every hour and take about 2 hrs 15 mins. From the North and the Midlands, you will probably need to change at Bristol Temple Mead. Trains run very frequently with a journey time of about 25 minutes.
By Bus
National Express operates a bus service from London Victoria to Weston. There are 3 direct buses per day and the journey takes around 3.5 hours. There are more indirect services that stop at Bristol and take around an hour longer. From the North and Midlands, you will also probably need to change at Bristol.
By Air
Bristol International Airport is just 15 miles from Weston via the A38, or 20 miles via the M5. Buses operate hourly on a daily basis between the two destinations, with a journey time 0f around 35 minutes.
Famous People
Some famous people who were born or have lived in Weston, include:
Comedic legend John Cleese was born in Weston (p1)
Roald Dahl (1916 -1990) – lived in Weston-Super-Mare as a child, when he attended St. Peter’s School, between 1925 and 1929. An author, screenwriter and poet, he is best known for his children’s books, which include such classics as James and the Giant Peach; Charlie and The Chocolate Factory; and BFG. His books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. He also served as a fighter pilot during the Second World War. A blue plaque has been erected in his honour at the site of his former school.
Lord Jeffrey Archer – moved to Weston with his family in 1940 when he was just 2 weeks old. Baron Archer of Weston-super-Mare, is a former MP, world-wide bestselling author and peer of the realm. He grew up in the seaside town while being schooled in nearby Wellington. He notoriously served two years in prison in the early 2000s after being found guilty of committing perjury in a libel case against a newspaper.
John Cleese – was born in Weston in 1939 and grew up there. He is a reputed actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. In the late 1960s he famously co-founded Monty Python, the comedy team responsible for the irreverent comedy sketch show Monty Python’s Flying Circus and a trio of films. In the early 1970s, he went on to write and star, along with his wife, in the iconic BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers. He went on to have success in both a screenwriting and acting career in Hollywood.
Jill Dando – was a journalist, television presenter and newsreader, who was born in Weston in 1961. She started her career as a journalist in Weston but spent most of her career as a presenter and investigative reporter at the BBC. On the morning of 26 April 1999, she was shot dead outside her home in Fulham, London. The mystery surrounding her murder has never been solved. There is a garden dedicated to her at the town’s Grove Park.
Sport
Weston-super-Mare AFC
Weston-super-Mare AFC is a semi-professional football team that plays in the Southern Premier League. Nicknamed the ‘Seagulls’ they play their home games at the 3,500 capacity Optima Stadium.
Other
Rugby Union – Weston has two clubs rugby clubs: Weston-super-Mare RFC and Hornets RFC, who play in the South West Premier league and Tribute South West League, respectfully.
Cricket – Weston-super-Mare CC play at the Devonshire Park Ground through the summer months.
Weston Beach Race is an annual Motorcross event (p2)
Major Events
Weston Beach Race
Weston Beach Race is recognised as one of the biggest and most arduous events in the UK motocross calendar. The 3-day spectacle attracts thousands of spectators and takes place on Weston-super-Mare Beach every October.
Weston Air Show
One of the region’s biggest events is the Weston Air Show, which is held in late June every year. The spectacular show is based at the town’s former airfield but the displays and celebrations take place along the seafront. The free 2-day event usually attracts around 100,000 people each day.
Weston Air Show is a major regional event (p3)
Things to see and do!
- Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm – has more than 100 different species of zoo and farm animals within the 100-acre park. There’s also a café, a shop, and children’s indoor/outdoor play areas. It’s just a 20-minute drive from town with plenty of parking.
- Puxton Park – is set in 40 acres of lush countryside and just a 15 minutes drive from Weston. The park has both exotic and domestic animals, a falconry centre, an owl centre, and a wildlife walk conservation area. Guides give talks and run workshops on life at Park. You can also participate in feeding the animals.
- Weston Helicopter Museum – located at the site of the town’s former airfield, displays a collection of more than 80 helicopters and autogyros from around the world. The museum holds regular events throughout the year.
- Weston Museum – houses an eclectic collection of exhibits relating to the locality from up to 400 million years ago to the present day.
- Grove Park – is a well used public park owned by the local authority. As well as the usual park facilities it has memorials to those killed in both world wars and houses the Jill Gardens, which are dedicated to the memory of local celebrity Jill Dando (see above). Entry is free but parking is chargeable. There’s an on-site cafe which opens seasonally but the coffee shop is open all-year-round.
- The Brean Down Way – is an 8-mile long walking and cycling route which links Weston with Brean Down.
- Brean Down – is a 1.5-mile long peninsula with an elevation of some 100 m. It provides a 3-mile circular walk which has spectacular views over the Bristol Channel. There’s also the Victorian Palmerston Fort (aka Brean Down Fort) is at the tip of the peninsula. There is also a café, a car park and toilet facilities at the start/finish of the walk.
- Grand Pier – is a traditional seaside resort pier, which has the usual arcades, amusements, rides, kids play area, a fun museum, cafes, restaurants, etc. The pier was constructed in 2008 replacing the original Edwardian structure following a fire. It’s open 364 days per year.
- Weston-super-Mare Beach – just a few minutes walk from the town, is one of the longest natural sandy beaches in the UK. It’s popular with walkers and those who wish to indulge in water sports, especially kite surfing.
Weston has one of the longest sandy beaches in the UK (p4)
Where to stay?
Weston-super-Mare has a full range of accommodation options. As well as a great selection of hotels, B&B’s and guesthouses, it also has a good choice of apartments and holiday lets, as well as plenty of camping and caravan sites. Note that apartment/holiday let/camping and caravan rates/per night, vary greatly depending on location, standard, time of year and occupancy numbers. Here are some guideline accommodation rates in the Weston area per night for 2 adults sharing:
B&B/Guesthouse:£60 – 90
Hotel: £90 – £140
Luxury Hotel: £150 – 200
Photo credit: Eric Gavaent (p2)/Charlsey (p3, p4)/Robin Jason (p1)/Shutterstock.com
Move to Weston?
Thinking of moving to Weston? The average property price for Weston-super-Mare for June 2020 stood at £218,700. This represents a fall of almost 4 % in the last 12 months. In terms of property types, flats were selling for an average of £145,200, and terraced houses for £181,600.
