Clevedon, on the east coast of the Severn estuary and a dozen miles or so from Bristol, has seen its fair share of well-known figures over the years.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, the Victorian poet laureate, was a regular, and in 1795 Samuel Taylor Coleridge, photographed below by artist Peter Vandyke, wrote his poem The Eolian Harp in the seaside town of Somerset (and spent his honeymoon there ).
Meanwhile, travel writer Jan Morris, who published the story of Sir Edmund Hillary’s first ascent of Everest in 1953, was born in Clevedon.
This Grade I listed pier is at the center of the action, with performances by musical group The Barnacle Buoys, with their exciting sea songs.
It’s also the ideal place to enjoy fish and chips at the elegant Glass Box restaurant, a transparent cube offering magnificent views of the Severn.
Tamara Hinson visits the Somerset town of Clevedon, which lies along the east coast of the Severn Estuary.
Poets’ Walk, a 1.5-mile coastal path, starts at the edge of Marine Lake, climbs a hill, and then loops around the old haunts of Tennyson and Coleridge.
Landmarks along the way include a turreted building built in 1835 so sugar traders could watch ships arriving from the West Indies, as well as an Iron Age fort and an Iron Age shelter. Second World War.
Then refuel at the charming Little Harp pub, which dates back to the 19th century and is perfect for post-hike lunches (excellent lemon calamari). On colder days, the most sought after spot is by the crackling fire.
End of the pier show: Clevedon is home to a Grade I listed pier (seen here)
Tamara says the pier is “at the center of the action, with performances by musical group The Barnacle Buoys.”
Above, Glass Box restaurant: “the place for fish and chips”
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was a Clevedon fan, Tamara reveals
Hill Road, near the pier, is lined with cafes and independent shops such as Gems, a gift shop packed with sea life-themed pottery.
Another main attraction is the Curzon Cinema, with its glorious art deco sunburst arch (look for marks in the concrete from a World War II bomb).
The Curzon, opened in 1912, is proud to be one of the oldest continuously operating cinemas in the world. It is also a venue for concerts and concerts.
In the mystically inspired The Eolian Harp, Coleridge reflected on the “twilight elves” who came on “journeys in gentle gales from fairyland.”
Unfortunately I didn’t see any of them.
WHERE TO STAY: The Moon And Sixpence is a beachfront hotel near the pier with five rooms (room 4, on the first floor, has lovely sea views).
The menu is packed with hearty comfort food, including delicious homemade steak and ale pie. Doubles from £90 B&B (moonandsixpenceclevedon.co.uk).
Tamara is staying at The Moon And Sixpence (pictured), a beachfront hotel near the pier with five rooms