Watchet Harbour slipway
Watchet Harbour is a small tidal harbour on the Somerset coast of the Bristol Channel, at the mouth of the Washford River where it opens onto Bridgwater Bay. It dries out completely at low water, and a nineteenth-century lighthouse on the West Pier marks the harbour entrance.
The Bristol Channel's tidal range here is among the largest anywhere: pilotage guidance for the harbour records around 10 metres at springs and 5 metres at neaps, with streams of 4 to 5 knots running past the harbour entrance and around the West Pier head at springs, predominantly westbound. Beyond the harbour mouth the foreshore is rocky and dries out for about half a mile, so getting back to the slipway depends on the tide.
The harbour mouth is a 28-metre gap between two breakwaters. Inside, a tidal gate keeps a separate marina basin afloat, and the harbour sees seasonal charter-fishing and pleasure-boat traffic passing through the entrance. The West Pier head carries Watchet Harbour Lighthouse, a hexagonal cast-iron tower about 6.5 metres tall, built in 1862 to a design by James Abernethy after a competing tender from Isambard Kingdom Brunel went unaccepted; it shows a fixed green light.
The surrounding estuary forms part of the Severn Estuary's Ramsar site, Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation, and neighbouring Bridgwater Bay immediately east is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its wintering and passage waterbirds. Hinkley Point power station is visible about seven miles east along the coast, with the twin masts of the Washford transmitting station standing inland to the south-west.
Nearby
Café on the Esplanade beside the marina, open daily 08:30 to 17:00.
Touring caravan, motorhome and tent pitches about a mile west of the harbour, with toilets, showers, drinking water and hook-ups.
WebsiteConditions to check
Tidal streams of 4 to 5 knots run at springs off the harbour entrance and around the West Pier head, predominantly westbound.
The foreshore beyond the harbour is rocky and dries out for about half a mile at low water.
The outer harbour dries completely to mud at low water, so return to the slipway is tide-dependent.
The harbour entrance is a 28-metre gap between two breakwaters, with marina, charter-fishing and pleasure-boat movements passing through it.
The harbour entrance is exposed to onshore winds; marina pilotage guidance states that in strong onshore conditions entry is not possible.
Other launches nearby
1 launch within 111m- 111m north-west
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