Pictures of Clevedon

About Clevedon

Known for it's quiet charm and Regency elegance, Clevedon is a treasure trove of pure delight. Apart from its picturesque position at the mouth of the Bristol Channel, there remains many gracious Georgian and Victorian buildings from the town's "Hey-Day" when it was a fashionable resort for Georgian and Victorian tourists.

The Clevedon Court estate, this was built in the 14th-century for Sir John de Clevedon. At the turn of the 18th-century, the estate was sold to wealthy Bristol merchant Sir Abraham Elton who was instrumental in the gradual development of turning the town into the flourishing resort we enjoy today. The descendents of Sir Abraham still live at Clevedon Court, but the house now belongs to the National Trust, with the family managing it as a tourist attraction for the trust. Visitors will be interested in the magnificent collections on show of Nailsea Glass and Eltonware ceramics.

The peaceful countryside surrounding Clevedon drew attention from artists and literary figures, the novelist William Thackeray often stayed at Clevedon Court, and the poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Alfred, Lord Tennyson are known to have visited Clevedon. Lord Tennyson in his poem "In Memoriam" mentions St. Andrews Church.

A pier flanks a beach of mud and shingle which is backed by expanses of flat rocks. From Marine Parade a footpath known locally as Lover's Walk passes Ladye Bay, here steps lead down to a shoreline of shingle, above walkers can follow the cliffs to Portishead.

This attractive resort town offers visitors a quieter time than neighbouring Weston-super-Mare. There are several worthy options, beautiful countryside to explore, a quiet pleasant beach, Victorian pier and bandstand. During May and September there is the opportunity of enjoying a trip on a unique paddle steamer, this really is fun for the whole family. For those wishing to extend their visit so as to explore a little more of the delightful Somerset coast, there are comfortable hotels, friendly bed and breakfast establishments and splendid caravan parks