Stert Head

Landscape Feature in Somerset Somerset West and Taunton

England

Stert Head

Puddle in track on Weacombe Hill
Puddle in track on Weacombe Hill Credit: David Martin

Stert Head is a prominent and picturesque landscape feature located in the county of Somerset, England. Situated near the village of Brean, it is a large sand dune system that stretches for approximately 1.5 miles along the coastline of the Bristol Channel.

The dunes at Stert Head are considered to be one of the most significant sand dune formations in the country. They are characterized by their impressive height, with some reaching up to 30 meters (98 feet) above sea level. The dunes are composed of fine sand particles, which have been shaped and molded by the wind and tides over many centuries.

This landscape feature is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its unique ecological and geological importance. The dunes provide a habitat for a variety of plant and animal species, including rare orchids, lichens, and nesting birds. The area is also home to several reptile species, such as the sand lizard and the common lizard.

Stert Head is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and photographers. Its stunning views of the Bristol Channel, combined with the tranquility of the surrounding landscape, make it a perfect spot to enjoy a peaceful walk or simply admire the natural beauty of the area.

Due to its fragile and sensitive nature, visitors are encouraged to stick to designated paths and avoid trampling on the dunes, in order to preserve this unique landscape feature for future generations.

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Stert Head Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.145531/-3.22341 or Grid Reference ST1439. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Puddle in track on Weacombe Hill
Puddle in track on Weacombe Hill
Pool Below Woodlands Hill
Pool Below Woodlands Hill
Track on Lower Hare Knap
Track on Lower Hare Knap
Holford: waterwheel at Combe House Hotel The 26’ diameter overshot waterwheel was cast by Bridgwater ironfounder H Culverwell & Co in 1892 to replace an earlier wheel. It was used to grind oak bark for the tannery complex established here in the 1840s by James Hayman. When the tannery closed in 1900 the waterwheel was adapted to other uses such as grinding grain for grist, cutting chaff, chopping apples for the cider press and generating electricity. It also cracked stones in a nearby quarry. The gearing survives too. Combe House Hotel is open to non residents for lunches and teas
Holford: waterwheel at Combe House Hotel
The 26’ diameter overshot waterwheel was cast by Bridgwater ironfounder H Culverwell & Co in 1892 to replace an earlier wheel. It was used to grind oak bark for the tannery complex established here in the 1840s by James Hayman. When the tannery closed in 1900 the waterwheel was adapted to other uses such as grinding grain for grist, cutting chaff, chopping apples for the cider press and generating electricity. It also cracked stones in a nearby quarry. The gearing survives too. Combe House Hotel is open to non residents for lunches and teas
Bicknoller Post above Bicknoller Combe On the Quantock Hills, looking west.
Bicknoller Post above Bicknoller Combe
On the Quantock Hills, looking west.
Top of Hodders Combe near Lady's Edge
Top of Hodders Combe near Lady's Edge
Hodder's Combe. Ancient oak woodland lines the combe bottom.
Hodder's Combe.
Ancient oak woodland lines the combe bottom.
Silk Mills, Holford
Silk Mills, Holford
Hawthorn tree above Lady's Edge Climbing up on the path above Lady's Edge, a view back to the ridges of the Quantocks, with a hawthorn tree nicely placed for foreground interest.
Hawthorn tree above Lady's Edge
Climbing up on the path above Lady's Edge, a view back to the ridges of the Quantocks, with a hawthorn tree nicely placed for foreground interest.
Entrance to Combe House Hotel Looking back towards the road from the front of the hotel.
Entrance to Combe House Hotel
Looking back towards the road from the front of the hotel.
Stream in Holford Combe This stream used to drive the watermill at what is now Castle Combe Hotel.
Stream in Holford Combe
This stream used to drive the watermill at what is now Castle Combe Hotel.
Track down into Lady's Combe Just before heading in to the depths of the combe.
Track down into Lady's Combe
Just before heading in to the depths of the combe.
Lady's Edge The path from Bicknoller Post descending towards Sheppard's Combe.
Lady's Edge
The path from Bicknoller Post descending towards Sheppard's Combe.
Hodder's Combe The stream flowing towards Holford.
Hodder's Combe
The stream flowing towards Holford.
Hodder's Combe The path winding into Holford.
Hodder's Combe
The path winding into Holford.
The  Holford Memorial Plantation In memory of villagers who died in WWII.
The Holford Memorial Plantation
In memory of villagers who died in WWII.
Bicknoller Post
Bicknoller Post
Looking North from the Top of Hodders Combe The view is even better than this in real life!
Looking North from the Top of Hodders Combe
The view is even better than this in real life!
Show me another place!

Stert Head is located at Grid Ref: ST1439 (Lat: 51.145531, Lng: -3.22341)

Administrative County: Somerset

District: Somerset West and Taunton

Police Authority: Avon and Somerset

What 3 Words

///convey.creatures.league. Near Nether Stowey, Somerset

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.145531,-3.22341
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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