BREANE, a parish in the hundred of BEMPSTONE,
but locally in the hundred of Brent with Wrington,
county of SOMERSET, 8 miles (W.) from Axbridge, containing
86 inhabitants. The living is a discharged rectory,
in the archdeaconry of Wells, and diocese of Bath
and Wells, rated in the king's books at £7. 0. 5., and
in the patronage of R. Hooper, Esq. The church is
dedicated to St. Bridget. This parish has Uphill bay
and the Bristol channel on the north, Berrow bay on
the west (on the margin of which the village lies), and
the river Axe on the east. The sea, in 1825, broke
through a natural barrier of sand hills, and inundated
the river Ouse, and a canal, connecting that river
with a part of it, doing considerable damage to property.
Breane Down is an elevated peninsula, extending a mile
into the sea, and strikingly conspicuous from various
parts of the surrounding country. A great quantity of
samphire is gathered on the shore, and pickled previously
to being conveyed to the inland towns.