Weston-super-Mare Today

Weston super Mare today is still extremely busy during the Summer months with holiday makers and day trippers. Many places around the town have undergone recent renovations including the award winning Grade II listed Grand Pier (I would recommend an ice-cream from the hut outside the amusement arcade at the end of the wooden walkway - delicious). Although the water is muddy the broad sweep of Weston Bay has miles of clean golden sand with the famous donkeys, specially staged children's activities and fireworks displays.

Away from the seafront you can find a great variety of shops including a fabulous shopping arcade (with big names such as Marks and Spencer, Mothercare, Body Shop, Evans), amusement arcades, cafes and restaurants. Try the meadow street area if you have time for a wander as there are many interesting small shops and boutiques. Weston is also home to large names such as Asda, Argos, Sainsburys, TK Maxx, Staples, Comet, Focus DIY, B&Q, Iceland and other great places such as Dunelm Store (one of my favourites).

Weston-super-Mare also hosts rounds of the National Water Ski Racing Championships and T4 on the Beach three times, first in 2005 and due to the event's success returned in 2006 and 2007. Artists that have previously appeared at T4 on the Beach at Weston-super-Mare are the Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, Maroon 5, Tony Christie, Madness, Garbage, Busta Ryhmes, Basement Jaxx, The Kooks, Will Young, The Zutons to name but a few).

International HeliDays is staged at the Weston-super-Mare Beach Gardens over a long weekend around the end of July. Helicopters from around the world are displayed in association with the Helicopter Museum.

The Enduro Beach Race has been held in Weston for the past 22 years. In February 2005, it was announced that Weston-super-Mare will continue to host the world's largest motorcycle race until at least 2010.

Sand carvers from around the world arrived in Weston-super-Mare in July 2006 to create a masterpiece on the seafront. Around 20 tonnes of sand was transformed into a piece of art on the Beach Lawns over a five-day period by the members of the World Sand Sculpting Academy. The sculpture which will be in place until September. The event is the first of its kind in Weston and is set to become an annual event if sponsors are secured. Wookey Hole and the Grand Pier supported the 2006 sculpture.