Wonders of Weston-Super-Mare

We had heard a number of disparaging things about Weston-Super-Mare so we were not expecting to spend much time there after visiting the sand sculptures, however, we were very pleasantly surprised by the town. We walked along the beach where they have donkeys for rides and horses with train or fire engine style carts that run up and down the beach. A small "train" takes visitors from one end of the beach to the other along the promenade. There is a long pier but sadly it recently suffered a fire and is currently under renovation. We visited the bustling shopping area and were impressed by the butcher, baker and especially the greengrocer lined up in a row. We walked to the end of the beach where there is a marine lake. This was created to counter-act the fact that low tide draws the water hundreds of miles from the shore. The Marine lake is a small cove of damned up water which remains full at low tide and is refreshed at high tide. A clever path along the far edge of the lake makes it seem as if visitors are walking on the water. We had a lunch of fish and chips on the beach, then making our way back to the car we were stopped by a procession of people dressed and marching toward a recreation civil was battle on the beach. Hundreds of participants we costumed and equipped for the planned battle, it was an impressive sight. Just before leaving we wandered through the games area where all the rides and attractions are well maintained and of vintage decoration. We saw a lovely steam powered carousel spinning rather rapidly as well as old fashioned two person swings and a carousel featuring vintage cars. We tool a ride on one of the earliest fair ground rides, a steam yacht. Although it was powered by steam and did not seem too frightening it was an impressive ride. The only safety feature was that we had to hook our arms around the back of the benches to hold on as it swung back and forth lifting our feet off the ground, it was a fun, if slightly terrifying experience.