Bridgwater Bay NNR – Excepted Area

Permits available: This excepted area is unique in England. No permits are required. Authorisation, pre-booking or bag returns are not required. The ‘excepted area’ comprises the foreshore at the western end of Bridgwater Bay NNR, open to the general public for wildfowling and shore angling sited between Shurton Bars OS:1799045295 (western boundary) around Hinkley Point to Stolford OS:2406845449 (eastern boundary). Non–lead shot only and there is no shooting in Somerset on Sundays.

Additional information: The armed Civil Nuclear Constabulary police the power station area at Hinkley. Guns must be unloaded and carried in their slips when outside the excepted area of the foreshore. It is advisable to carry your certificate or proof of identity and insurance is recommended (e.g. BASC membership).

CAUTION: The estuary has the world’s second highest tidal range. The foreshore is a mixture of treacherous intertidal silt, mud, sand, rocky reefs, and the cliffs are unstable. Tide tables should always be consulted, and a preliminary daylight visit is advisable. The NNR area was used for ordnance testing and there is a live target area off Lilstock. If unexploded shells are found they should not be touched, and the site manager and/or the police should be notified immediately. The Eastern end foreshore is accessible via Eastern end parking, behind the sea wall at Stolford (grid ref: 233459). Western end foreshore access is limited by dangerous cliffs. Either park at Lilstock and walk along the foreshore to the NNR boundary (OS:1799045295) or drive
through Knighton to the end of the drove, park and follow the footpath to the cliff top coastal path, turn right and walk to OS: 1921045877 where the cliffs end.