East Quantoxhead Beach (Kilve)

This pebble, rock and sand beach, with many fascinating rock formations, sits on the Somerset coast, where the Quantock Hills meet the sea.  From here there are views out across Bridgewater Bay towards the South Wales coastline.  

The beach is backed by unstable cliffs with visible bands of blue lias, shale and limestone.  When the tide goes out, a large expanse of wave-cut platform is exposed.  This area is full of rockpools which are teeming with interesting marine wildlife.  

This stretch of the coast features tall Jurassic cliffs and many interesting fossils can be found here, including reptile remains and ammonites.

 There is no parking at the beach, but cars can be left in the historic village of East Quantockhead.  From here it is a half-mile walk along the footpath to the coast, with steep steps leading down the cliffs.  

The village has some delightful thatched cottages, a duck pond and an old mill. There are tearooms in nearby Kilve village.