Volume Twelve - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - further aspects - The Bristol Channel District Guide - selected articles - [1934 Edition] . . . .

En route we have a fine view of the hills rising beyond the Somerset shore ; and, looking over our port bow, between Woodspring Point and St. Thomas' Head, Worle Hill is seen, and further south Bleadon Hill, 436 feet high, distinguishable by the clump of trees on its top.

To the left we see the pointed hill, Crooke's Peak, known to mariners as " See me, and See me not, " from the frequent occasions on which its top is hidden from view by hazy clouds, and to the left again of the last named appears Compton Bishop Hill and others of the Mendip range.

We now draw near St. Thomas' Head, on the other side of which is Swallow Cliff, with its rocky extremity known as Swallow Point, in passing we catch sight of the tower of Woodspring Priory amongst the trees. The Priory (now a dwelling) was built by William de Courtenay, a descendant of the de Tracey who was one of the murderers of Thomas à Becket. Some idea of its original grandeur and extent may be gathered from an inspection of the portions still standing.

The vessel now traverses Sand Bay. The stretch of sands here is fast becoming a popular resort of picnic parties, and the place promises to develop.

Lying in the opening is a small ancient village of Kewstoke, followed by Kewstoke Woods -  one of Weston's chief attractions. Weston-super-Mare has two piers, but the one at which the steamer calls is the older one, known as Birnbeck Pier - really a bridge from the rocky islet of Birnbeck to the shore, with a jetty and landing stage.