Garden Battery

Concrete gun emplacements jut from the Somerset coastline like broken teeth, remnants of Britain's wartime defences against invasion. Garden Battery, positioned along the Burnham-on-Sea stretch, forms part of the extensive coastal fortifications built during World War Two to repel German forces.

History buffs will find plenty to examine in these weathered structures. The battery's gun positions offer commanding views across Bridgwater Bay, and you can still make out the angular lines of the concrete casemates where artillery crews once waited. It's quite something to stand where soldiers scanned the horizon for enemy ships.

Families staying at nearby parks like Warren Farm Holiday Centre or Golden Sands Holiday Park can easily combine this with a beach walk. The site sits right on the coastal path, so you'll likely stumble across it rather than seek it out specifically. Kids might enjoy clambering about for twenty minutes, though don't expect interpretation boards or facilities - this is very much a case of using your imagination.

Best approached on foot from Burnham-on-Sea seafront, the battery makes for a decent detour if you're already walking the coast. The views alone justify the visit, even if military history isn't your thing. Allow half an hour unless you're particularly keen on wartime archaeology.