Everything about Burnham-on-sea totally explained
Burnham-on-Sea is a
town in
Somerset,
England, at the mouth of the
River Parrett and
Bridgwater Bay. Burnham remained a small village until the late 18th century, but is now a popular
seaside resort as well as the home of the shortest
pier in Great Britain. It forms part of the parish of
Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge. According to the 2001 census the population of the parish was 18,401.
Burnham-on-Sea is notable for its beach and
mudflats, the danger they pose to individuals and shipping, and the efforts locals have gone to defend their town and to prevent loss of life. The
Bristol Channel has the second highest
tidal range in the world. The extensive mud flats at Burnham are characteristic of
Bridgwater Bay and the rest of the Bristol Channel where the tide can recede for over . Over the years a string of people have died when they became trapped in mud and were overcome by the rapidly rising waters. One of the earliest recorded historical incidents to affect the town was the
Bristol Channel floods of 1607. Today the town is defended from flooding by a large curved concrete wall that runs along the Esplanade.
Burnham-on-Sea railway station was the terminus of the Burnham branch of the
Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway. The former
GWR station is now known as
Highbridge and Burnham.
The town's signature collection of
lighthouses, including the Round Tower lighthouse of
1829, the
Pillar Lighthouse and the
Lighthouse on legs. The original lighthouse was built after the local vicar, either John Goulden in 1764 or Walter Harris in 1799, raised a subscription amongst the local population. This was taken over and improved by
Trinity House in 1815.
There have been many shipwrecks on the Gore sand and the first lifeboat was sent to Burnham by the
Bridgwater Corporation in 1836, with a second boat in 1847. The first
Royal National Lifeboat was funded by the town of
Cheltenham and arrived in 1866. The lifeboat was removed in 1930 because of the difficulty in getting a full crew and because the launching arrangements were not suitable for a powered boat.
BARB currently operates the
Spirit of Lelaina alongside her sister hovercraft the
Light of Elizabeth (named after Lelaina's sister).
The parish church,
St. Andrew's, is a grade I
listed building dating from the
14th century.
In the south west corner of Burnham-on-Sea, north of the
River Brue, is Apex Leisure and Wildlife Park. Covering over 42 acres, the park has been created from excavated clay pits; these were flooded, and the lakes are now home to many types of wildlife and leisure activities.
The town is part of the
West Country Carnival circuit.
Notable residents
Further Information
Get more info on 'Burnham-on-sea'.
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