Introduction
Located on the north coast of Somerset, the Port of Bridgwater sits within the sweeping waters of the Bristol Channel at 51° 11.022’ N, 003° 19.702’ W. It is one of Somerset’s most historically significant maritime gateways. It has statutory port status dating back to 1500 and modern boundaries established under a parliamentary Act in 1845.
Stretching across a vast area of coastline, estuary, and river channels, the port continues to support commercial, leisure, and environmental activity along one of the UK’s most dynamic tidal waterways.
The wider port area encompasses:
- 25 square nautical miles of coastal waters between Brean Down and Hinkley Point
- 14 plus nautical miles of tidal river systems along the Rivers Parrett, Brue, and Axe
- Extensive inter tidal sand and mud banks characteristic of the upper Bristol Channel
This unique geography creates a constantly shifting marine environment shaped by one of the largest tidal ranges in the world.
A tidal river Port with a distinct geography
The Port of Bridgwater is built around the winding course of the River Parrett, which flows north toward the Bristol Channel. The river’s channel is meandering, shallow, and navigable only on spring tides, making vessel movements highly tide dependent.
Aids to navigation—lights, marks, and buoys—are positioned throughout the channel to assist safe passage. [Port of Bridgwater | Word]
Commercial locations within the Port
Several key wharf areas lie along the estuary:
- Combwich Wharf – Ro Ro facility supporting Hinkley Point Power Station (51° 10.5’N, 003° 3.49’W)
- Dunball Wharves – General cargo and aggregate berths at approx. 51° 09.7’N, 002° 59.3’W
- Bibby’s Wharf – Near Dunball, currently unused for commercial shipping
All wharves are privately operated, though Somerset Council remains responsible for port conservancy.
Port limits
The statutory Harbour Limits as defined within local legislation are depicted on Admiralty Chart 1152, and are defined within the Port Operations Manual below.
The limits of the Port are summarised below:
- Bridgwater Bay from Brean Down to east of Hinkley Point
- The River Parrett as far as Bridgwater town centre
- The River Brue as far as Highbridge Clyce Sluice
- A small part of the tidal River Axe
Tides and tidal range
The upper Bristol Channel experiences one of the highest tidal ranges on Earth, significantly shaping navigation in the port.
Key tidal characteristics include:
- The River Parrett dries completely at low water, from Stockland Reach to Bridgwater town
- Vessel movements are typically only possible near high water during spring tides
- Navigation requires at least 3.0m on the Bridgwater tide tables
Example Tidal Ranges (above Chart Datum)
Burnham-on-Sea
- MHWS: 10.9
- MHWN: 7.9
- MLWN: 2.4
- MLWS: 0.0
Bridgwater
- MHWS: 4.6
- MHWN: 1.7
- MLWN: 0.0
- MLWS: 0.0
Dunball (calculated)
- MHWS: 5.5
- MHWN: 2.6
- MLWN: 0.0
- MLWS: 0.0
Responsibilities
As the Statutory Harbour Authority, Somerset Council has responsibilities for:
- Safe and efficient marine operations
- Pilotage
- Conservancy – maintenance of navigation channels and navigation aids
- Emergency response
- Environmental protection including oil spill contingency planning, and waste management.
Somerset Council has powers to levy charges on Port users in order to raise funds to finance the safe management of the Port. These are detailed on the Charges and Permits page.
Berths
There are currently operational commercial berths located at Dunball and a facility at Combwich.
All the berths within the port are privately owned, and use of those berths is dependent upon permissions from the owners. The Harbour Master can provide contact details of Berth owners on request.
Pilotage
The Port is wholly within a dynamic tidal regime, with ranges at Burnham on Sea in excess of 12 metres, and significant tidal flows within the navigable River Parrett. Because of the extreme tidal range, winding river and constantly changing channels, all vessels navigating in the tidal River Parrett south of an imaginary line drawn from Stert Point to the north bank of the confluence of the River Brue with the River Parrett, are subject to compulsory Pilotage with the following exceptions:
- Those vessels excluded by virtue of Section 7(3) of the Pilotage Act 1987.
- Vessels under the pilotage of the holder of a “Pilotage Exemption Certificate” issued by the Competent Harbour Authority.
For more information, please see our Pilotage page.
Contact Harbour Master
Email: harbourmaster@somerset.gov.uk
Phone: 0300 123 2224