Backed by farmland and overlooked by the moors of Exmoor, Bossington beach forms part of the Holnicote Estate managed by the National Trust, and runs from Hurlestone Point to the small harbour at Porlock Weir.

The long, curved beach is made up of shingle and pebbles and its steep banks act as a barrier between the Bristol Channel and the flood plain of the River Homer. The river, which rises near Luccombe, runs down the valley from Bossington village before appearing to disappear into the shingle. When the water level is very high, the river will breach the bank.

The currents at Bossington beach are very strong so swimming is not recommended. These currents have also shaped the beach itself, sorting the pebbles by size with the smallest stones closest to the sea, and the largest towards the back of the beach.

Until relatively recently, the land behind the beach was a freshwater meadow used for growing barley and grazing sheep and cattle. However, during a major storm in October 1996, caused by hurricane Lili, the shingle ridge on the beach was breached flooding the area with saltwater. The breach was never repaired, and today at high tides sea water still flows into the marsh.

The resulting saltmarsh and intertidal lagoon is now designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and a haven for various species of bird including shelducks, redshanks, curlews, and little egrets. Look out too for coastal plants, such as sea purslane, samphire, and sea beet, as well as butterflies, and a variety of small fish. A boardwalk runs across the marsh giving visitors the opportunity to get close to the wildlife without disturbing the fragile ecosystem.