Small town on the Severn Estuary in South West England. Burnham owes its existence and expansion to the draining of the low-lying Somerset Levels. Popular as a resort offering "healing waters" in Victorian times, Burnham's popularity has declined somewhat since the late 20th Century. Much of the population consists of older people, as Burnham is now very much a retirement town. Burnham is in the county of Somerset, and services are administered by Sedgemoor District Council. The population of Burnham and close-by sister town Highbridge stands at a little under 20,000.