Today I wanted to talk about one of my absolute favourite places to visit locally, Kilve Beach. While Kilve isn’t your average beach experience, it is an awesome place to visit, especially if you have an interest in fossils.

Kilve sits on the west coast of Somerset, around 12 miles from the town of Bridgwater and 13 miles from Minehead.

One thing to note about Kilve is that it isn’t your typical sandy beach. Instead, it’s a pebble beach with lots of ancient rock formations, cliff top walks, a stream that runs into a large pool at the top of the beach and a grassy area on the clifftop which is perfect for enjoying a picnic or a game of rounders.

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I visited Kilve quite a lot as a child and have been really enjoying taking my daughter there in recent months now she is old enough to manage on the pebbles.

I have to be honest, for a day of paddling in the sea and sunbathing, Kilve wouldn’t be my first choice.

However, if you have active kids it makes a perfect day out as there is so much opportunity for rock pooling and other fun activities.

Definitely remember to pack wellies and fishing nets!

Fossil Hunting At Kilve Beach

One of the biggest attractions of Kilve Beach is that it’s an excellent place to do some fossil hunting.

Fossils can be found in lots of the huge rocks the make up the floor of the beach. It’s also fairly easy to find fossils in smaller rocks and pebbles – we found three ammonite fossils on a recent trip and we weren’t looking particularly hard.

While small fossils can be taken away, do not attempt to take fossils exposed in large pieces of rock – photograph them instead.

Hammering and tools are not allowed at Kilve to help preserve the fossils for everyone to enjoy. This post has a more detailed explanation of what can and can’t be taken.

Safety should be paramount while fossil hunting, so do take extra care around the base of the cliffs. The tidal currents are also very strong at Kilve Beach so it’s worth being aware of tide times too.

Cliff Top Walks at Kilve Beach

Kilve provides some beautiful walks along the clifftops which have stunning views on a clear day. As always, care should be taken when walking the clifftops and children especially should be kept away from the edge.

While some areas are fenced off, some are completely exposed too, so do bear this in mind if walking with little ones.

Fun Fact

Kilve Beach is where the video for Bryan Adams ‘Everything I do, I do it for you’ (Robin Hood – Prince of Thieves theme song) was filmed.

Parking at Kilve Beach

When arriving at Kilve Beach, you’ll need to pay for parking and the meter is just before you head into the car park.

The car park is quite small so it’s worth getting there early at busy times, such as during the summer holidays.

Visiting Chantry Tea Rooms

Before you enter the Car Park for Kilve, there is a small tea room on the left-hand side of the road.

This is perfect for a cup of tea and a piece of cake after a long walk along the clifftops. They also offer a range of sandwiches, snacks and ice creams which can be enjoyed in the rose gardens.

Taking A Picnic

As always, I recommend taking a picnic if heading for a day out. The grass area above the beach is a perfect picnicking spot where you can take in the views while you eat. The car park is close enough that you can pop to and from the car as needed.

Kilve Beach FAQs

Are There Toilets at Kilve Beach?

Yes, there are toilets at Kilve Beach. The toilets are located over a small bridge at the end of the car park closest to the beach.

There is also a small honesty stand selling drinks and other local produce.

Can I Take Fossils From Kilve Beach?

Small fossils can be taken home with you but the larger fossils in the flat rocks should be left for everyone to enjoy. You could photograph them instead.

Do I Have To Pay For Parking At Kilve Beach?

Yes, parking at Kilve is chargeable so make sure you have some change.

What Are The Tide Times At Kilve Beach?

The tide times for Kilve Beach can be found here: Kilve Tide Times

Can You Swim At Kilve Beach?

You probably could swim at Kilve Beach but personally, I would not recommend it due to not being able to see rocks under the water, the extremely strong tides and the fact there are no lifeguards stationed here.

All in all, I think Kilve makes a fantastic day out for all the family.