A trip to the seaside: Sand Point and Middle Hope, 6–12 miles, moderate

We’re off to the seaside! Join us for a statistically* sunny hike along the coast from Weston-Super-Mare station to Sand Point and back via Middle Hope and Weston Woods. This walk can be shortened to 6, 8 or 10 miles by taking a bus or two.

* As a scientist I should probably back this up with evidence.

This walk will be led by Shannon & Sathya.

Please see our website for more information about the group.

Pace: gentle. Ascent: 343m.

Walk details

Part 1: Out the town to Sand Bay! (2 miles)

We’ll head north through Weston-Super-Mare from the station, heading up the hill into Weston Woods, leaving the town behind. Past the woods we’ll descend to a fine view of the sea across Sand Bay until we reach the Sand Bay / Sand Road bus stop, where we may pick up some extra walkers.

You can skip this part of the walk by taking the number 1 Coaster bus from Weston-Super-Mare station at 11:00 (bus stop: Station Approach) to the Sand Bay / Sand Road bus stop, arriving at 11:30 and meeting the group there. PLEASE CONTACT THE WALK LEADERS IF YOU INTEND TO DO THIS, SO THEY KNOW TO MEET YOU.

Part 2: A loop through Sand Point and Middle Hope (6 miles)

After the bus stop, we’ll head towards Sand Point, which lies out on the headland at the far side of Sand Bay, and we should have a clear view as we walk around the bay. We’ll stop and admire the scenery over lunch, probably around 12:15ish. We’ll then admire the cliffs and sheer beauty of Middle Hope, looping around past Woodspring Priory and back out the bay, finishing at the bus stop.

Part 3: Back for Fish and Chips! (4 miles)

Finally, Sathya will be leading the walk back over the hill through Weston Woods, this time admiring the Iron Age hillfort Worlebury Camp, and heading west out to coast. The remainder of the walk will follow the England Coast Path past the old pier on Birnbeck Island, the Marine Lake at Glentworth Bay, and finally the Grand Pier. As is tradition, the walk will finish with a fish and chip stop. If it’s too early for dinner, we’ll head to the pub first!

You can choose to skip this section of the walk by taking the number 1 Coaster bus from the Sand Bay / Sand Road stop back to Weston-Super-Mare station. Buses run every 30 minutes. Feel free to re-join the rest of the group for dinner when they return!

Travel details

By public transport

From Reading take the 08:55 GWR service to Taunton, which will arrive in Weston-Super-Mare at 10:32. There are return trains direct to Reading every hour at :02 minutes past the hour.

Train tickets are expensive on this line (£66 if you buy ticket with no discounts), and it’s outside the Network Railcard zone, so we suggest:

• Splitting your ticket at Swindon (i.e. buying separate return tickets from Reading–Swindon and from Swindon–Weston-Super-Mare) will reduce the price to £52.80.
• A valid railcard, or the GroupSave deal for 3-9 people travelling together brings the cost down to £43.55
• A valid railcard / GroupSave discount AND splitting your ticket at Swindon will bring the cost down to £34.80.

Anyone wishing to make use of the GroupSave deal should meet by the main ticket machines outside Reading station at 08:30 with £34.80 cash for your ticket. You’ll need to queue to buy your ticket from the ticket office, and remember to buy TWO groupsave tickets: one from Reading to Swindon, and one from Swindon to Weston-Super-Mare.

By car

Parking is available at Weston-Super-Mare railway station, charges may apply. We strongly suggest car sharing (you can offer lifts on the Facebook group [members only] or here on Meetup) and splitting the cost of fuel.

If you are doing the 6-mile route only: parking is available off Sand Road (BS22 9UE). Meet the group there at 11:30. PLEASE CONTACT THE WALK LEADERS IF YOU INTEND TO DO THIS, SO THEY KNOW TO MEET YOU.

Notes

• Please bring a packed lunch and a drink.
• Please contact the leader directly if you are delayed on the day or can't find the group (find contact details on our website). We are unlikely to respond to Meetup comments or messages sent on the day of the walk in enough time to be helpful.