Brean Leisure Park

Brean Leisure Park sits on the Somerset coast near Burnham-on-Sea, covering 200 acres of flat land between the beach and farmland. It began in 1946 as Unity Farm, a dairy run by Albert and Marie House with 140 cows. The House family later turned part of the farm into caravan and camping pitches to meet holiday demand from Bristol workers. By the 1970s the site had grown into a leisure complex with a golf centre, swimming pool and donkey derbies. A greyhound track opened in 1975 and closed in 1984, after which the owners landscaped the whole park. The park has hosted major events and TV shows. DJ Casper, Peter Andre, Jason Donovan and The Wurzels have played concerts there. Sky filmed Brainiac: Science Abuse, the BBC drama Casualty twice, and CBBC’s The Sparticle Mystery on location. In 1997 CITV’s Rosie and Jim used the park for a merry-go-round scene. The site also introduced a river ride at the pool in the 1990s and two ten-pin bowling lanes in 1994. A £1 million American-themed entertainment complex opened in 2000, and in 2008 it became home to Sooty, Sweep and Soo. Visitors now find an amusement park with rides, arcades and fast-food outlets. Brean Splash waterpark includes an indoor splash area added in 2014. The golf course has eighteen holes and hosts tournaments. Evening entertainment is centred on the Tavern complex, which offers family shows and functions. The park’s wide lawns and gentle slopes give views across the levels to the Bristol Channel. Families arrive from South Wales, Bristol and Birmingham for a day by the sea.