Ladye Bay, Clevedon

• General details
• Directions
• How the winds work
• Tidal conditions
• Hazards
• Facilities
• B&B's / Campsites
• Pubs & eateries

General details:

back to top

Directions to the right place:

For Ladye Bay:

Go along Clevedon sea front, heading up the Bristol Channel. Go past the Walton Park Hotel and then take the next left into Bay Road. Don't park in the car park on the left but drive on for another 100m and park on the left hand side of the road. There is then a set of steps down to Ladye Bay. Carry your kit unrigged down to the beach and go from there.

To launch at Ladye Bay walk down the left hand edge of the pebble beach where the pebbles/rocks are smaller. This has the best wind for launching and keeps you away from the Ladye Bay Point as you sail out.

If you launch more than 3-4 hours after high tide there's a 30 yd stretch of mud after the pebbles, but after that it's sand. The mud varies in depth from ankle to calf deep depending on recent weather. If the wind is a westerly and more on-shore it's worth walking further upwind before you launch.

Ladye Bay location map

For Clevedon front:

Park on the road near the Little Harp pub on Clevedon front. You can rig up on the grassy area next to the pub or in the car park on quieter days. Carry your gear over the sea wall using the steps and launch off the pebble beach. The best wind direction is SW or W, but NE is also possible. You need to sail with wind against tide, so best sailing is from high water onwards. The length of your sail depends on your ability to pick your way through mud, rock and sand! Or you could end with a downwind run to Ladye Bay

Clevedon front location map

back to top

How the winds work:

Ladye Bay is one of those rare locations in the Bristol Channel that can be sailed at low water. The location has been described as for nutters only due to the nature of the mud, the access and the very strong currents that mean you must sail wind against tide.

This location has the honour of probably the muddiest of all Bristol Channel sailing spots - and it has significant competition.

back to top

Tidal conditions:

We're talking Upper Bristol Channel here. That means up to 14m. tides and the consequent currents. Don't even think of going out here unless you're confident, planing easily, & know the wind won't drop while you're out.

HW springs tend to occur around 08:30 - 09:30 (20:30 - 21:30). HW neaps around 15:00 (GMT).

Ladye Bay:

Only sail at low water, at high water there is too much wind shadow.

Sailing in a South Westerly is possible for around 3 hours before low water.

Clevedon front:

Sail from high tide onwards (in SW)

For Both:

Only sail when there is wind against tide.

back to top

Hazards:

Tidal current - you must sail wind against tide.

Rather large ships in the shipping channel! - its best not to try and enforce your right of way in these situations.

back to top

Facilities:

back to top

B&B's / campsites

back to top

Pubs and eateries

back to top

Content Supplied by Simon Perkins

Note: All comments and opinions mentioned in this section of the site are the personal opinions of the various contributors. Inevitably, one person's favourite may be another person's least favourite.

The information provided here is provided in good faith. We can take no responsibility for the consequences of any inaccuracies. Should you find any inaccuracies, then please take the trouble to tell us, using any of the update buttons above.

back to top

This page last updated: 3rd Sep, 2021.