Church in the Dunes
Article supplied by:
Paul Williams
The Sand Menace:
Historically, the church was so close to the shifting dunes that sand once accumulated up to 20 feet against the churchyard wall, threatening to bury it entirely.
The "Lighthouse" Tower: In the days before modern navigation, the 15th-century church tower was painted white to act as a day-mark (a primitive lighthouse) for sailors navigating the treacherous Bristol Channel.
Ancient Origins: While the tower is 15th-century, parts of the chancel date back to the 1200s, making it over 700 years old.
⚓ The Wreck of the SS Nornen
One of the most photographed shipwrecks in the UK lies right on Berrow Beach.
The Rescue (1897): On March 3, 1897, the Norwegian barque Nornen ran aground during a fierce gale. In a heroic effort, the Burnham lifeboat rescued all ten crew members—and even the ship’s dog.
The Visible Skeleton: Unlike many wrecks, the Nornen's wooden ribs are still visible at low tide, serving as a haunting reminder of the village's maritime dangers.
🌿 A Land of "Lizards" and Orchids
Berrow isn't just a beach; it’s a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Rare Flora: The dunes are home to the Lizard Orchid, one of the UK’s rarest and most unusual-looking plants.
The Changing Coastline: The dunes themselves are a relatively "recent" geological feature, having shifted and grown significantly over the last few centuries, once forming the "Brent-cum-Wrington" hundred.
🐄 The Unique Stone Pigsties
As seen in your photo, Berrow is one of the few places where these "beehive" stone pigsties survived.
They reflect a time when almost every cottage in the village kept a pig for the winter. The circular, cornerless design was specifically "pig-proof" to prevent the animals from rooting through the walls.
🏆 Fun Fact: The Rajah of Sarawak
Charles Brooke, the second "White Rajah" of Sarawak (now part of Malaysia), was actually born in Berrow in 1829. It’s a surprising international link for a small Somerset seaside village!
Thankyou
Paul Williams
The Grade I listed Church of St. Mary is perhaps Berrow’s most iconic landmark.
