Pilning and Severn Beach

Civil Parish in Gloucestershire

England

Pilning and Severn Beach

Pilning (Glos) St Peter's Church Credit: ChurchCrawler

Pilning and Severn Beach is a civil parish located in Gloucestershire, England. Situated on the eastern bank of the River Severn, it is approximately 10 miles northwest of Bristol city center. The parish is predominantly rural, with a small population of around 1,300 residents.

Pilning and Severn Beach is known for its picturesque landscapes and stunning views of the Severn Estuary. The area is rich in natural beauty, with expansive fields, meadows, and woodland areas. The River Severn, one of the longest rivers in the United Kingdom, flows alongside the parish, providing opportunities for recreational activities such as boating and fishing.

Severn Beach, the larger of the two settlements in the parish, is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. It features a beautiful sandy beach, which stretches for approximately two miles along the estuary. The beach offers a tranquil setting for leisurely walks and picnics, as well as opportunities for birdwatching, as it is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Pilning, on the other hand, is a smaller village located inland from Severn Beach. It boasts a traditional rural charm, with a mix of old and new buildings. The village is home to a few local amenities, including a primary school, a church, and a community center.

Overall, Pilning and Severn Beach is a peaceful and picturesque civil parish, offering a combination of natural beauty, recreational activities, and a sense of community.

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Pilning and Severn Beach Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.564475/-2.661081 or Grid Reference ST5485. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Pilning (Glos) St Peter's Church

ChurchCrawler

Severn Beach and the Second Severn Crossing

The river Severn at low tide looking out towards the Second Severn Crossing which is now 10 years old (opened 5th June 1996 by The Prince of Wales). The nearest channel of water is known as Salmon Pool.

Linda Bailey

Severn Beach Looking South

Looking along the edge of the estuary and salt marshes whilst standing on the sea defences at Severn Beach.

Linda Bailey

River Severn at low tide

Looking across the river bed at low tide. On the horizon Denny Island can be seen faintly.

Linda Bailey

Severn Beach railway platform

Severn Beach is now the last (or first!) stop on the line which goes from Bristol Temple Meads through Montpelier and Clifton, along the north bank of the Avon into Shirehampton, then through Avonmouth and along the banks of the River Severn until it reaches its destination. It consists of a platform and shelter, and little else.

Sharon Loxton

Flood defences on the Severn

Taken from atop the flood defence bank at Severn Beach, this photograph shows how much lower the new housing development is (about 3 metres). With the threat of global warming and rising sea levels, these houses look to be in a precarious position.

Sharon Loxton

Delivering the mail

The front entrance of a large Royal Mail warehouse and distribution centre near Severn Beach. This is a good location for distribution centres (and many other companies have warehouses nearby) as there is good access to the M5 and M4, and land values are relatively low.

Sharon Loxton

M49

M49 northbound taken from a footpath on a bridge over the motorway.

Sharon Loxton

Ableton Lane

This overgrown, tarmac footpath is in fact the original road which ran south from Severn beach across the flat Severn flood plain to Avonmouth. On the 1888 map it is called Ableton lane and is the main routeway on the 1940 OS map. Land use in the Severnside area has changed drastically in the last 60 years and almost all of the old roads are now abandoned or used as cyclepaths. The farmland and farms are now industrial estates or manufacturing plants. This old road runs to the back of Avlon works where admittance is forbidden.

Sharon Loxton

M4 westbound

The M4 westbound approaching the second Severn crossing - the sign advising motorists of toll charges can be seen on the left.

Sharon Loxton

Sea defences at New Passage

The houses at New Passage appear to be well protected from the threat of an angry river Severn. Rock armour is the lowest defence - boulders placed by the shoreline which will allow water to percolate through whilst, hopefully, preventing erosion of beach material. Above the path is a concrete revetment topped by a re-curved sea wall.

Sharon Loxton

Bristol & South Wales Union railway terminal pier

Between 1863 and 1886 anyone wanting to cross the Severn by rail would pass here - the terminal pier. The pier ceased to be used, and the railway re-routed, when the rail tunnel opened in 1886.

Sharon Loxton

Severn Bridges visitor centre

A rather forlorn looking building; and it now appears to have closed down.

Sharon Loxton

Houses by the bridge

A line of houses just to the south of the M4 as it heads off across the Severn. I imagine is must be incredibly noisy as there is the constant hum of traffic from the motorway.

Sharon Loxton

Severn Lodge farm outbuildings

Sharon Loxton

Severn Lodge Farm

The farm has an outstanding view over the Severn estuary.

Sharon Loxton

The Pill at New Passage

The Pill heading for the Severn at high tide. The photograph is taken from the sluice gate which controls the water flowing back inland at high tide. The river level behind the sluice gate was much lower than on this side.

Sharon Loxton