Beer to Branscombe Coast Path (and back again)

This walk along the East Devon coast path from Beer to Branscombe and back is quite easy to follow as there are very clear signposts and paths leading you in the right direction so I won’t go into too much detail with this walk. We love this stretch of the South West Coast Path because Beer and Branscombe are two of our favourite beaches to visit. Both are small villages, with fishing boats moored on the pebble beaches. I’ve written a post before about Branscombe (here) and I’ll do another post in the near future about Beer as it deserves its own post; it’s such a lovely little Village to stroll round, visiting the independent shops and sitting in one of the deck chairs having an ice cream or chips on the beach, watching the fishing boats go out to sea.

Views of Beer’s white cliffs.

We started this walk by parking in the main car park (Clapp’s Lane) in Beer as we first went down to the beach to have some lunch, but we resisted the urge to get an ice cream, instead promising ourselves we would have one once we reached Branscombe. If you aren’t planning on visiting the village or if there’s no space in the main car park, then there’s a larger one right by the start of the coast path called Cliff Top car park. To reach the coast path from Beer Beach, we walked past our favourite pub in the village, ‘The Anchor Inn’ and walked up Common Lane. From here we had beautiful views of Beer Beach, its white cliffs and the coastline over the well kept gardens, belonging to the beautiful terraced houses on the other side of this road. Once half way up this hill we then turned down a lane on our left called Little Lane. From here it leads us past the bigger car park I mentioned earlier, and a caravan park on our right. Going through a gate, and into a field, this lane joins onto the coast path.

For those of you who enjoy geocaching, there are some great ones along this route all the way to Branscombe. We actually ended up finding some of the ones we couldn’t find last time we walked this route, though it can be hard sometimes as this path can get fairly popular, so you need to have a lot of stealth!

Views of Beer and Seaton from the coast path.

As we carried on along the coast path the views just kept getting better, we did this walk on a hot and sunny day, but a word of warning, be prepared that there’s a steep hill on the way back from Branscombe, which can be made a lot more strenuous in the heat, there’s also a section of rather steep steps if you descend the cliff path, but the rest of the walk is rather easy going and the views make it even more enjoyable. On the way to Branscombe we took the lower path (called Hooken undercliff) when we were given a choice of two options, and on the way back we took the high path along East Cliff.

A lovely spot to sit and take in the views.

Views of Branscombe beach from the coast path.

The lower path takes you through twists and turns with the white cliffs on your right, and there’s a short cut to the Eastern side of the beach when you reach the end of this path. However, there are quite a few steps on this path, whereas if you choose the high path it’s just through several fields then down one set of steps and then down East Cliff hill. One thing to add, at the moment the path will be getting more and more popular as its peak holiday season, the lower path also gets quite narrow in places, meaning it will be difficult to socially distance from others at times.

Some of the steps you’ll encounter along Hooken Undercliff.

Both paths offer the beautiful views of the coastline and are clearly marked on how to get to the beach. Once we reached the end of the lower path, we could have walked further which would take us out to the bottom of the hill before the car park at Branscombe, instead we chose to enter the beach by a path on our left. This took us to the Eastern end of the beach.

The Eastern end of Branscombe beach.

This part of the pebble beach is a lot quieter than the main stretch close to the car park. We decided to sit here for a bit and watch a few dogs enjoying the water as the waves crashed against the pebbles. After a while, we decided to walk towards ‘The Sea Shanty beach cafe’ by the car park and the entrance to the beach, it’s a short walk along the beach to get here. This is the only cafe by the beach, but it has a good variety of food and drink options, including a good choice of ice creams which is what we came for!

The Eastern end of Branscombe beach is always a lot more quiet.

We sat and watched the waves crashing against the pebbles.

The busier part of the beach, with The Sea Shanty Beach cafe to the right.

After having a great ice cream and relaxing in the sun, we decided we had better start climbing the hill back onto the coast path, to return to Beer. From the Sea Shanty cafe, there’s an entrance to the hill ahead through a gate by the mouth of the river that’s just to the side of the car park. Look for the massive hill, it is hard to miss!

We sat and had an ice cream, while looking at the hill we were about to climb.

The hill does have some benches you can rest on if need be, we sat and looked at the views of the beach below before continuing on our walk, up some steps then through more fields which eventually took us back to Beer. Along the way we saw the remains of an old lookout building as we walked past a flock of sheep and down a path that took us through some gates and back to the fields we first started walking in.

The views of Branscombe village, beach and coastline from the top of the hill.

This walk took us about 3 hours to do, but we did it at a leisurely pace and stopped to do some geocaching. It’s best to give yourself plenty of time, as I’ve said before the hill and steps can be quite strenuous! The stunning coastal views really do make up for the hard work involved on some parts of this coast path though. Both beaches are dog friendly, Beer does have restrictions in place for certain areas (clearly marked) during peak season, but the whole of Branscombe beach is dog friendly all year round. If you are taking a dog on this walk, please bear in mind that there are steep drops from the cliff side so be very careful dogs don’t run off the edge, and as always, keep dogs under strict control around any livestock you may encounter (we walked through fields with sheep and cattle in them).

Views of Seaton from the coast path on the way back to Beer.

Exmouth Loop to West Down Beacon Coast Path

This is a 6 mile circular walk starting and ending in Exmouth that takes you along an old railway line, a golf course, and the coast path, where you’ll be treated to great views at West Down Beacon. I started this walk off from where I live, but for everyone else, there’s a free car park at Littleham Cross called Jarvis Close Car Park. If the car park is full, there’s usually plenty of space along the roadside in Jarvis Close as well as nearby roads. Anyone who is interested in doing this walk, I would suggest you wear walking boots or similar shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy, as sometimes the footpaths on this walk can get pretty muddy after a lot of rain. Luckily for me, I did this walk in warm weather, and the footpaths were mostly dry!

Coastal views from West Down Beacon.

From the car park, I turned left down Jarvis Close, where soon I join a cycle path, crossing the road I continue along a path to Bidmead close, where the cycle path continues up to a green space and then under two bridges. This is the old railway line to Budleigh Salterton, which is a lovely walk, but today I won’t be going all the way to Budleigh. For now, I continue along this path where I then spot Littleham Church (St Margaret’s) to my right over the fields. This path is surrounded by fields, the one to my left has cows with their calves in it, and as I carry on along this path, I look back to my right over another field, I can just about see the sun glistening on the sea in the distance.

There are fields either side of this path.

Eventually I cross a foot bridge and shortly after, another one, where the path now becomes more sheltered by the trees overhead. This stretch of the path is great to walk in Autumn when the trees are turning brown, and the ground is a blanket of colour from fallen leaves. Eventually I meet a sign post just before an old railway bridge ahead, here I turn right up a path that the sign tells me is Castle Lane. From here I join the road, which runs over the bridge I just saw.

The path becomes more sheltered by the trees.

Information on the old railway line.

I turn right past a sign telling me about the old railway line I just turned off and walk past some houses on my left. Once I pass a house called ‘Oak Glade’ there is a path to the left going up to a gate. I take this turning, and pass through a gate on the right next to a public footpath sign. This sheltered path leads through a golf course, so anyone doing this walk will need to keep dogs on leads and be aware of incoming golf balls! As I walk along this sheltered path, there’s a footpath going off to the left, I ignore this path but do turn back and look at the views of the East Devon coastline beyond the golf course.

The footpath leading through the golf course.

The shaded path leading through the golf course.

The path opens out onto the golf course, sea views to the right.

The sheltered path soon opens out onto the golf course. Here I follow the path that bends left between some trees then opens out onto the golf course again. From here I walk straight ahead in the direction of the trees (in the photo above). There are yellow footpath arrows on posts pointing me in the right direction, with the golf bunker (the area with some sand in the photo above) to my right. Already there are beautiful sea views to my right, whenever I walk this path, I always think it must be a great place to play golf with these views!

Beautiful views from the golf course.

A sign by these trees informs me that I’m joining the coastal path. I follow this path with trees on either side of me, but I can still see the sea views peaking through gaps in the trees. At the end of this path there’s a bench on my left. For the best views of the coastline, there is a narrow path just to the right of the bench, between some gorse. Here is West Down Beacon, and with it are 360 degree views of East Devon countryside and coastline. On a clear day like today I could see Exmouth town, the holiday park and straight point cliff sticking out to my right, well as as Torbay and the countryside in the distance. On my left I could see rolling hills of the Sid Valley, as well as Budleigh beach and the coast beyond that. Even the white cliffs of Branscombe and Beer were visible today.

Views of Straight Point from the beacon.

Countryside and coastline from the beacon.

After taking in the views I rejoin the coast path, where in front of me is a sign telling me Budleigh Salterton is left and Exmouth is to my right. I’m heading back towards Exmouth so I take the path to the right (the walk to Budleigh and beyond I will save for another day). This path becomes fairly narrow and has lots of stones underfoot for a short while so I have to take extra care here, especially when walking down the hill. The path soon opens up into a field where I continue to follow the clear path along the coast while still taking in the coastal views all around me.

Views of the sea and Exmouth town from the coast path.

The walk through the fields.

From this path I can see Straight Point and Devon Cliffs holiday park a lot clearer now. Straight point is the red jagged cliffs sticking out to the left of the photo above. The top of this headland is a firing range used by the Royal Marines, as well as there being red warning flags up, you can always tell when they’re training here, as you’ll hear the gunshots. If you do hear the guns firing, look out for the Range Safety Boat that will stay close to Straight Point, (I normally see it close to Sandy Bay beach) to warn boats/vessels to stay clear of the area while in use.

Views of the coast path I just walked, and beyond.

I soon arrive at a kissing gate which then leads down some steps, crossing a footbridge then up some more steps before leading me into another field. This area is well known for land slides and sheer drops, so anyone with dogs and young children must be careful walking too close to the edge. This field soon arrives at another kissing gate where it leads me into Devon Cliffs holiday park. From here I keep to the coast path on my left as I walk down the hill with clearer views of Budleigh just behind me to my left.

Views of the jurassic coastline with Budleigh beach in the distance.

Soon the hill I walked down turns into a road and car park in the holiday park. From here I walk straight ahead and up the grass bank, keeping to the edge by the hedges. I turn right and keep the hedge to my left as I walk round and see a wooden coast path sign pointing me towards the beach. From here I follow a path behind some static caravans where the firing range is now to my left. I then walk down a slope where I have clear views of the sea ahead, as well as Bixham, Torquay and Dawlish across the water. Soon I’m met with the entrance to Sandy Bay Beach to my left and the South Beach Cafe and Shop in front of me. For anyone who hasn’t been before, the South Beach Cafe is a lovely place to grab something to eat or drink and sit outside overlooking the sea views on a Summer’s day.

Low tide at Sandy Bay beach.

After a quick stop to take in the views of the beach below, I head up towards the exit of Sandy Bay. There are signs dotted around the holiday park telling you where the exit is, but for those needing to know how to do this I’ll explain the quickest route now…Keeping the South Beach Cafe on your left, walk up towards the road where you’ll see a zebra crossing. Cross here and walk up the road that has a sign saying ‘Apple Grove’. Keep to the pavement on the right where you’ll spot a zip wire arial adventure zone on the right. At the next junction turn right and you’ll see a bus stop on the left and the car park for the entertainment centre. Walk through the car park and rejoin the pavement where you can cross the road and continue on the pavement on the right. From here you’ll see a sign telling you the way out is to your left. Soon you’ll see the welcome flags at the entrance to the holiday park. Cross the road here and continue along the pavement leaving the holiday park, now with World of Country life on your right and eventually you’ll see the Sandy Bay entrance Arch in front of you. Here I like to cross the road and walk on the raised footpath on the right as there’s sea views on your left just in the distance over the fields and houses. This route will lead you into Littleham village where there will soon be thatched cottages on the left, the local Pub ‘The Clinton Arms’ on ahead and a lovely thatched cottage tearooms around the corner on the right called ‘Tythe Cottage’. Here they do a great cream tea but they sell a variety of food and drink.

Tythe Cottage tea rooms.

Once I pass Tythe Cottage on my right, I cross the bridge with St Margaret’s church ahead of me. Here I turn left up the road (keeping the church on my right), where soon I come to a road called ‘Elm Lane’ on my left. I turn into this road and take the footpath just ahead of me to my left. This leads onto a shaded path which then leads through a metal gate and out into a field. I keep to the right of this field, where soon I leave through a gate and see a thatched farmhouse on my right. Normally I would continue on ahead to another footpath but this one has been closed off further down with tape so instead I turn left where I join Maer Lane.

Crossing the bridge over Littleham Brooke with St Margaret’s Church ahead.

The footpath to the right of the field.

Maer Lane can sometimes become fairly busy with cars, mostly during the summer months, so anyone with dogs and children, be careful when walking this road. From here I turn right and walk up the road where I soon spot the red building that is Pratshayes Barn and Campsite. They also have a ‘Cow Shed’ bar here open to the public but their opening hours do vary so it’s best to check first if you want to visit. Once past Pratshayes I walk up the road where I see the entrance to the South West Water plant on my left. On the other side of the road are two farm gates and between them both is a track leading down between two hedges. This is the path I take down towards a footbridge over Littleham Brook. It’s worth however, taking a look over the gate to the left first as there are nice views of the sea and Exmouth town over the fields here.

Pratshayes campsite to the right.

The track leading down to a footbridge.

The footbridge over Littleham Brook.

As I reach the footbridge, I notice there’s hardly any water under it at the moment due to the dry weather we’ve been having. In the past when I’ve walked this route, its been a lot higher and flowing fairly fast under the bridge. After crossing this bridge, I soon pass through two metal kissing gates ahead of me, this is the part of the path that can get very muddy after wet weather, but luckily for me, due to the warmer weather, its nice and dry! I’m soon met with a metal gate on my right, I don’t take this path (which would have met up with the footpath earlier on, that is cut off, next to the farmhouse) instead I walk round to the left and take the metal gate leading into a field. From here I take the path round and up through a kissing gate, but first I look back at the countryside views over this field.

Views of the countryside from the footpath.

After leaving this field, I walk up a path that leads me onto Douglas Avenue. Now I turn right and walk down the road, where I have views of a big grass hill ahead with houses surrounding it. This is known as ‘Donkey Hill’ and although a housing development is now being built around it, it’s still accessible through Buckingham Close. It is worth the walk to the top for the views of the sea, estuary, farmland and Exmouth town. This is local to me, it’s a great spot to sit and watch the sun set. After passing Buckingham Close on my right, I come to the junction of Douglas Avenue, from here I turn right where I soon see Littleham Cross shops and car park where I started the walk, just ahead of me.

South West Coast Path towards Sandy Bay.

Although this walk does involve some roads and being close to the coast path it’s still a great walk for families and dog walkers. Please also remember the beach at Sandy Bay only allows dogs from November until April. There’s also plenty of caches along the cycle trail and coast path for all you geocachers out there. As I said previously, walking boots (or shoes you don’t mind getting muddy) would be ideal if you’re planning on doing this walk after wet weather as the footpaths can get very muddy sometimes. There’s plenty of places to stop for refreshments in the holiday park, Littleham Village and Littleham Cross shops by the car park. I prefer to do this walk on a clear, sunny day as you’ll then be treated to spectacular views on the coast path.