Berrow, Somerset facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Berrow |
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 St Mary's church |
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 Berrow
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| Population | 1,534 |
| OS grid reference | ST295525 |
| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BURNHAM-ON-SEA |
| Postcode district | TA8 |
| Dialling code | 01278 |
| Police | Avon and Somerset |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Berrow is a small village located on the coast in Somerset, England. It's a popular spot for holidays and is found between the towns of Burnham-on-Sea and Brean.
In 2011, about 1,534 people lived in Berrow.
Contents
Berrow's Past
Berrow has a long history. It was once part of an old land division called a "hundred," specifically the hundred of Brent-cum-Wrington.
How Berrow is Governed
Berrow has a local government system that helps run the village.
Parish Council's Role
The parish council is a group of local people who look after issues in Berrow. They decide on a local tax to cover costs and check building plans. They also work with the police and local groups to keep the area safe. The council helps maintain roads, footpaths, and public transport. They also care for local trees, old buildings, and environmental matters.
Local and National Government
Since April 2023, Berrow is part of Somerset Council. This council manages many services for the area. Before this, it was part of a different council called Sedgemoor.
Berrow is also part of an "electoral ward." This is an area where people vote for local representatives. The Berrow ward includes the village and stretches north to Brean. In 2011, about 2,169 people lived in this ward.
The village is also part of a larger area that elects a Member of Parliament (MP) to the UK Parliament. This MP represents Berrow's interests in the national government.
St Mary's Church
The Church of St Mary is a very old building. It was first built in the 13th century, which means it's over 700 years old! It was later updated in the 1800s. The church tower has a bell from 1801, made by a famous bell-making family called Bilbie. This church is considered a very important historical building.
Berrow's Beach and Dunes
Berrow is known for its beautiful beach and sand dunes.
The Beach and Shipwreck
In 2005, Berrow beach received a special award called the Blue Flag. This means it's a clean and safe beach.
The beach is also home to a famous shipwreck. It's the remains of a Norwegian sailing ship called the Nornen. This ship got stuck in a storm on March 3, 1897. Most of the ship was taken away for scrap metal. For a while, there was talk about removing the rest of the wreck, but it's still there today.
Dunes and Wildlife
West of the village are the Berrow Dunes. Here, you can find a golf course. The dunes are also special because they are home to many unusual plants, like the lizard orchid. A large area of 200 hectares (about 494 acres) was made a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1952. This means it's a protected area because of its unique nature.
Inside the dunes, between the village and the beach, is Berrow Marsh. This area has reedbeds and salt marshes. Many different wetland birds live here, such as reed and sedge warblers. In winter, you might even spot rare jack snipe among the many common snipe.
Famous People from Berrow
- Charles Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak was born in Berrow in 1829. He later became a ruler in a country called Sarawak, which is now part of Malaysia.
