Clevedon in Somerset - 10 Reasons to Move There

 

10 Reasons to move to Clevedon Somerset

Sea Air & Coastal Views

This year why not take a tip from the Victorians and enjoy the benefits of some sea air with a move to Clevedon on the Somerset coast. A GWR poster of 1939 advertised Clevedon as 'The Gem of Sunny Somerset' and few would dispute the billing today.

1 Location, location

You're never far from the coast, countryside or even the city in Clevedon because Bristol is just 13 miles away. Motorway access could not be easier, for the town stands on junction 20 of the M5, and the nearest railway station is in the village of Yatton, just four miles away. To get around town by bus, pick up a timetable from the library and if you're travelling a little further afield, Bristol International Airport is less than eight miles away.

 

2 Beside the seaside

Clevedon was a small farming village of 300 people at the beginning of the 19th century before the Victorians developed it into a busy seaside resort. Much of the town's development was due to the philanthropy of the Elton family of Clevedon Court (now owned by the National Trust: (01275 872257). Visitors still flock to the town to enjoy sea angling, sailing, sketching and walking. The secluded cove of Ladye Bay can be reached via the path beyond the Pier, while Poet's Walk is a coastal path from the promenade, named after poets like Coleridge who were inspired by the area.

 

3 Preserving our heritage

First opened in 1869, Clevedon Pier is the country's only Grade I Listed pier still open, thanks to the efforts of the Clevedon Pier and Heritage Trust. There will be jazz on the Pier from 2pm on 31 August or watch the Clevedon Swimmers embark on their annual Long Swim from Ladye Bay at 7pm on 13 July. And for more details on the area, pop into the Visitor Information Centre in the library in Old Church Road (tel 01275 873498).

4 Stylish shopping

The town has two main shopping areas: The Triangle, with its wide selection of high-street shops, and Hill Road, which has become a tourist destination in its own right. Some of the traders who operate from this Victorian street have experience going back many years, such as furniture store Challicom & Co that was established in 1858. Hill Road is also famous for its ladies' fashion shops and is home to the local and artisan food store Murrays.

5 Eating out in Clevedon

Forget the diet because here in Clevedon you will face temptation at every corner. Starting with coffee in the morning at Butterflies in Hill Road, followed by a bistro lunch at 5 the Beach, with its view of the Bristol Channel, you could end your day of gastro delights with dinner at one of a number of pubs or restaurants dotted around the town, such as Scarlett's, The Moon & Sixpence or Junior Poon.

6 Civic pride

Clevedon Civic Society aims to have an influence on all matters relating to the place they are proud to call home. Members scrutinise planning applications and the society has been successful in both maintaining and rebuilding important landmarks. "The town has both a vibrant atmosphere and a tender tranquillity providing a quiet haven," says Civic Society chair Rob Campbell. "Clevedon is one of the loveliest towns in the world," claims town councillor Carole Wring. "There are two large GP practices, a cottage hospital, numerous churches and a wide range of cultural activities available to all. And, of course, there is the ever-changing panorama provided by the second highest tidal range in the world."

7 The three Rs

Education has come a long way since 1727 when Sir Abraham Elton left £5 a year in his will for teaching the poor to read. The history book Clevedon from the Village to the Town, available from the library, refers back to the days when the travelling circus proved so tempting for the youngsters that school attendance was affected! Today the area has several primary schools and the co-educational comprehensive Clevedon Community School where the ethos is 'forward thinking and traditional values'.

8 Get a move on

Local sports centres offer a range of facilities to help keep everyone active. The Strode Leisure Centre has a pool, gym, sports hall and football pitch and offers activities such as basketball and badminton. Swiss Valley Sports Centre, located in the grounds of Clevedon School, hosts a wide range of classes in its fitness gym and has facilities for team sports as well as squash and tennis. Golf, riding and fishing are among the other popular sports in the area, and the sailing club has a full programme of events. Alternatively, enjoy an easier pace in the town's Salthouse Fields - a green area alongside the seafront.

9 Joining in

There's no risk of being bored - not with the long list of clubs and societies operating in the town. Many of them meet at the Community Centre in Princes Road (tel 01275 873405) and events this month include St Peter's Hospice 30th anniversary charity concert on the 4th and Clevedon Light Opera's summer concert from 16-18 July. Meanwhile Clevedon Choral Society welcomes new singers of any standard. Visit its website at www.clevedonchoralsociety.org.uk. Alternatively, relax with a film at the Curzon - the oldest, continuously-operating cinema in the world.

10 Where could I live in Clevedon?

The town offers a diverse range of property styles with prices to suit all pockets. One-bedroom homes for first-time buyers start at £150,000, the popular Victorian styles are available from the £250,000 mark, while the more prestigious examples peak at around £950,000-One Million+, according to House Fox Estate Agents Clevedon.