The Somerset & Exmoor Coast Festival

21st to 29th September 2024

The Somerset and Exmoor Coast Festival is a celebration of our unique and diverse coastline bringing together events that offer everything from running, walking and outdoor activities to art, music, and performance alongside the food, flavours and hospitality that make this coast of surprises so welcoming.

In 2024 the Somerset & Exmoor Coast Festival is growing with new events joining the line-up, and even more activities to choose from. Once again we’ll feature a selection of coastal walks and arts events and we will have some extra special celebrations that you won’t want to miss.

As Somerset’s coastal businesses start gearing up for this year’s festival we’ll be adding events that offer everything from music to cream teas, craft gin to glorious sunsets, and performances to Porlock Bay oysters – all in the truly beautiful surroundings of the Somerset and Exmoor coast.

Festival to support primary pupils to get outside
whatever the weather

The Outdoor Guide Foundation

The Outdoor Guide joins Festival

We’re pleased to announce that The Outdoor Guide and The Outdoor Guide Foundation have signed up to Partner the Somerset & Exmoor Coast Festival. In the coming weeks we will be working with the Foundation to support their waterproofs and wellies campaign focussing on the Somerset coast.

The Outdoor Guide (TOG) is a free online resource set up by Julia Bradbury and sister Gina that aims to bring together information for walks all around the UK. It is a place for people who love getting outdoors, lacing up a pair of muddy boots and discovering new walking routes in the great outdoors.

Find out more about the campaign

The Outdoor Guide Foundation has a simple aim; to make the outdoors more accessible for all – particularly children. Its goal is to get 10 sets of wellies and waterproofs to every state primary school in the UK (all 20,000 of them!) so every child, no matter their circumstances, has the ability to play outdoors in all weathers.

Donate here
Or join one of our fundraising events here

The Somerset Coast Challenge walk …

King Charles III England Coast Path Somerset –

The Walk starts at Brean Down on the 22nd September and ends in Porlock on the 29th September. Join us for the whole challenge or choose the days you want to walk. Find out more on our Challenge page or select one of the day walks.

Last few tickets remaining before ticket sales close on 15th September see all the walks here.

80 Miles in Eight Days Challenge Walk

Brean Down
Berrow
Nornen
Lilstock
Quantocks View
St Audries Bay
Picnic at Waterfall
Hikers
Donniford hikers
Watchet
Blue Anchor
The Iron Giant
Hurlstone Combe
County Gate
Brean
Berrow-1
Berrow Nornen-2
Lilstock
Quantocks
Quantocks and Coast (10)
Quantocks and Coast (8)
Quantocks and Coast (2)
Quantocks and Coast (5)
Watchet Poemscape walk (7)
Blue Anchor-2
Iron Giant
Hurlstone Point
County Gate
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Looking for something different…

Arborea at Minehead Library
Where
Minehead Library
When
Throughout the festival
Check opening times in description
Arborea at Horner Wood
Where
Horner Wood
When
Throughout the festival
Ancient Tree Training
Where
Bank Street Car Park, Highbridge
When
Friday, 27th September 11am
Autumn Forage Walk
Where
Highbridge Train Station
When
Tuesday, 24th September, 10am
Beachside Motorbike Show
Where
Berrow, Burnham-on-Sea
When
Saturday, 21st September
10am - 4pm
Kathakali Dance Drama
Where
Bridgwater Arts Centre
When
Saturday, 28th September, 8pm
Cry of the Wild with author Charles Foster
Where
Stogursey Victory Hall
When
Monday, 23rd September, 7.30pm
Porpoises and Poetry
Where
Hurlstone Point Lookout, Bossington
When
Sunday 22nd September, 9am-12pm
Crazy Golf at the Jubilee Cafe
Where
Jubilee Cafe, Minehead
When
Crazy Golf Everyday

If you are a local accommodation provider, or a business thinking of organising an event or promotion during the Somerset and Exmoor Coast Festival, visit the Festival Partners page to find out how to get the most out of participating in the Festival

Highlights of the 2023 Festival …

All this takes place along the route established by Somerset’s coastal National Trails, the King Charles III England Coast Path and the South West Coast Path.

This 80 mile stretch of coast boasts the Quantock Hills National Landscape, the first in the UK, and the Exmoor National Park, while from Brean to Blue Anchor these shores are protected as Areas of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Areas of Conservation and protected wetland sites.

To the north is one of the longest stretches of sandy beach in Europe, while at the heart of the Somerset coast, geological formations create natural pavements and stratified cliffs, while fossils appear embedded in the cliffs and loose on the shore.

Walking this diverse stretch of coastline is a journey through time and history alongside cutting edge climate change mitigation projects, hidden coves, historic port towns and the gentles slopes of Somerset’s coastal farmlands.

The Quantock Poetry Trail in Watchet
Chris Jelley reads to walkers at the Minehead Parks Storywalk
Local authors read their work in Minehead
Festival walkers ready to set out on the Incline walk from Roadwater
The launch of the Quantock Poetry Trail
Discovering nature with Nigel Phillips at Kilve
Paul Karensa performing A History of (Very) Old Radio
Walkers picnic at St Audries waterfall
Flowers and walkers at the Minehead Parks Storywalk
Bridgwater Bay Nature Reserve
Walkers discovering botanicals with Dryad Gin's Becky Wright
Blue Anchor Beach
Taking a break on the Exmoor Lookouts and villages walk
Local authors read their work in Minehead
Walking the Quantocks & Coast Circular
Watchet Poemscape
Minehead Parks Arboretum Storywalk
Meet your Local Authors
Iron Ore: Brendon Hills to Roadwater
Watchet’s dog friendly beaches
Quantocks Poetry Trail Launch event
Kilve Nature Walk
A History of (Very) Old Radio
Quantocks & Coast Walk
Minehead Parks Arboretum Storywalk
Stert Point part of the Somerset Wetlands National Nature Reserve
Dryad Gin Botanical Walk
Blue Anchor Beach
Exmoor Lookouts and Villages Walk
Meet your Local Authors
Quantocks & Coast Walk
 

For your #SomersetExmoorCoast experience find the right walk in our Festival Walks section, search for one of the many events and promotions in What’s On and find your own Somerset bolt hole in our Where to stay guide, there’s everything from campsites, glamping and luxurious shepherd’s huts to quaint cottages, cosy B&Bs and historic hotels.

To be the first to hear what’s on where and when, sign up to our mailing list or follow us on social media and community networks.

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