I don’t know about you but I absolutely love the summer months and I love nothing more than getting out and about in the local area. I live in North Somerset and we are fortunate to have so many beautiful places right on our doorstep. Today I’m going to share with you three FREE places to visit, just a short drive from the M5 motorway. If you’re travelling this way during the summer holidays then why not stop off and take a little break.
Weston-super-Mare Beach Front
My first recommendation is simply Weston-super-Mare seafront. You can park along the front or in one of the multi-storey car parks and enjoy a walk along the beach. If you want a completely free trip then I recommend trying to find off street parking further up the beach near Clarence Park.
You can take a nice stroll along the promenade, down to the pier and back. If you want to go somewhere less busy then I suggest Sand Bay or Uphill for some lovely walks and views.
Clevedon Salthouse Park
My second recommendation is Clevedon Salthouse Park. They are a short drive from Junction 21 off the M5 and if you’re lucky, you can find street parking for free. If not, a pay and display car park usually has spaces. There is a fantastic play park for children, including a lovely sandpit. There’s a load to do for toddlers and older children too. You will also find here a miniature railway. What toddler doesn’t like riding on these tiny trains?! This isn’t free and will set you back a few quid.
If you don’t fancy the train, take a walk along the front, up to Marine Lake and, for a longer walk, all the way to Clevedon pier. This area offers some lovely views and we often spend a day in Clevedon.
Portishead Lake Grounds
Finally on my “three for free” list is Portishead. Now there are a few things you could do to burn an hour or two but I really love the lake ground. You can park for free, grab a cuppa in the café ad enjoy the playground. You can also buy bird seed from the café to feed the ducks.
Walk along the front and watch the huge ships come in to Avonmouth docks. If you have your walking shoes on, walk right up to the lighthouse memorial. You can climb the steps for lovely views of Wales and Avonmouth – I say lovely views because when doing this with my son, he loves watching the huge ships come and go! If you want to stay longer in Portishead then I recommend the Marina area. You’ll find a number of places to eat – think Botellinos, Subway or a Weatherspoons pub. Or there is a Waitrose where you can pick up sarnies for a picnic by the lake.
So there we have three fun places that make a great alternative stop off to the service stations. Have you been to any of the places I mention?!
About The Author: Emma lives in the South West – Weston-super-Mare with her little boy ‘b’ . On Emma’s blog, Me & B Make Tea she write about a whole host of different topics from parenting and lifestyle to days out, recipes and reviews.
You can also find Emma and have a chat with her over on Facebook, twitter and Instagram too.
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