Sugar Loaf Beach - Portishead (Portishead Beach)

Without doubt Sugar Loaf Beach is the best along this stretch of the Bristol Channel. Situated in front of Portishead Sailing Club this sand and pebble beach is set in a small cove backed by low sandstone cliffs. With an abundance of greenery in the summer it feels like quite a cosy, almost secluded spot.

Whilst swimming in the Severn Estuary is never advised owing to the strong currents there is an old tidal swimming pool at Sugar Loaf beach. Admittedly it has seen better days and it is fairly small, but it’s still ideal for kids or just a cooling dip.

The tidal range here is pretty big and as the tide goes out the shoreline becomes quite rocky and the sand a little muddy. Even so this is still a pretty little beach within a stone’s throw of Bristol.