With this beautiful weather we’ve been having lately, we thought we would take a trip to one of our favourite places in East Devon; the village of Branscombe. We’ve been quite a few times, but we wanted to explore the area more, instead of doing our usual walk along the beach then to the pub (which are all sadly closed at the moment!).
Views of Branscombe beach from the coast path.
This circular walk we did starts off at the main car park in Branscombe, right by the beach. We first enjoyed a picnic on the beach in the sunshine, then started on our walk towards the village. From the beach, we followed a public footpath to the left of ‘The Sea Shanty Beach Cafe’. and followed a path along side a stream which flows from the village into the sea.
I can imagine the stream is popular with dogs going in for a dip to cool down on a hot day like today, as there was quite a lot of worn down tracks leading to the water. It’s also handy to note on this walk there were a few picnic benches dotting around, so if you wanted a quiet place to sit and have a picnic away from the busy beach, this path, alive with meadow flowers and birds singing would be perfect.
We followed the path straight ahead, past the Manor Mill which is owned and run by the National Trust. Here there were sheep grazing in the field with their curious lambs watching us as we walked by. There were also doves cooing on a barn roof to the right. I stopped for a moment to watch the lambs playing before carrying on towards a kissing gate.
National Trust Manor Mill
After we left the trail through the gate, we continued to follow the stream straight ahead and onto a road where we were greeted with the thatched roof of the National Trust Forge. Despite Branscombe being well known for its many quaint little cottages, the Forge definitely stands out amongst the others. Reading a little about the Forge on a notice board, it is known to be the oldest working forge in Devon, and was built around 1580.
Branscombe Forge, blacksmiths here make decorative ironworks to sell.
As we turned left towards the hill, we admired some of the ironwork the blacksmiths had made at the Forge and had on display outside. You can just about make out in the picture above, the gate on display to the left, which had decorative bluebells on it.
Forge Cottage, available to let through the National Trust.
As we continued up the hill, on the opposite side to the Forge is the Forge Cottage, a big yellow thatched cottage which I believe is a holiday let. It definitely stood out amongst all the other houses. As we walked up the hill I took one last look down the road, and couldn’t resist one last photo of the cottage and forge together before carrying on with our walk.
With the sun bearing down on us, we decided to take a break once we got to the top of the hill, but first we admired some more beautiful cottages along the roadside, this is one of the roads out of Branscombe I always remember, the cottages are all decorated with beautiful flowers which really bring out the character of Branscombe.
One of the beautiful cottages in Branscombe.
Once we walked past these cottages, we found a bench by the village church, St Winifred’s. We sat here for a drink and took in the views down into the valley and admired some more cottages as we walked further along the road. As well as the cottages, a garden just up from the church really stands out as you walk past, its called ‘Doreen’s Garden’, I assume because its owned by a lady called Doreen! She lets people walk around this garden for free, but does ask for any donations to Devon Air ambulance. We didn’t walk around the garden today, but next time we visit I definitely want to, especially when our little girl will be old enough to enjoy the full colour of the flowers, ornaments and the doves cooing above in the dovecote.
Doreen’s Cottage, opposite her garden.
Just a small section of Doreen’s impressive and intriguing garden.
Once we walked past all these pretty cottages, we then approached a public footpath on the left. We didn’t follow this route, instead we carried on towards yet more cute cottages, and towards the Fountain Head Pub. Normally, it would be a perfect place to take a break and grab a bite to eat, but today it is of course, like every other pub, closed due to the pandemic currently happening, so we sadly had to walk past and remember it will soon be back to business and open again to enjoy.
Some more beautiful cottages Branscombe has to offer, and the Fountain Head in the background.
The Fountain Head.
We turned left at the pub, and once we had rejoined another road, we needed to find a footpath sign heading towards the coast. We first walked up the hill, as we couldn’t easily see the sign, but once we were up the hill, and failed to see it, we walked down again and realised it was in fact slightly down the road, hidden by a hedge. If you decide to do this walk, don’t make the same mistake as us!
The footpath we struggled to find.
This footpath takes you up towards a trail shaded by trees and surrounded by wild garlic, which welcomes you with a National Trust sign informing you it is called ‘Pit Coppice’. We followed this path for a while until it then leads you through another gate and into an open meadow. We followed this path all the way along until we reached a signpost pointing us to the left, back towards Branscombe.
The trail through Pit Coppice.
Once turning left towards the coast path, you’ll follow another trail for a short while, it will boast beautiful views of Branscombe village to the left when it opens out into a field occupied by cows. Carry on walking the trail and eventually you’ll spot a lookout point to your right, which teases you with views of the blue sea and Branscombe pebble beach below.
The view of the sea and Branscombe beach from the coast path.
We carried on this coast path until it opens out to beautiful views of Branscombe beach and the cliffs beyond. You can also see the green hills that are part of the coast path leading to Beer. We’ve done that walk before, and although quite strenuous it is worth doing for the views and feeling of accomplishment. Here there is a bench you can sit and take in the views before heading down towards the beach.
Beautiful views of Branscombe beach and the coast path to Beer.
The walk was now quite easy going as we walked down some steps and through a gate into a field of grazing cows with their calves. From here we followed the path along side a beautiful house on the hill, and soon spotted the familiar beach huts and the pebble beach infront of us.
Beautiful houses on a hill overlooking the beach.
From here we had one last look at the beach, I love the iconic fishing boat that’s always here, representing Branscombe beach well. As we walked back to the car we were reminded of the shipwreck that happened on the beach in 2007 with the anchor of MSC Napoli that now sits at the entrance to the pebble beach greeting everyone who walks by. For anyone who hasn’t visited Branscombe before, its definitely worth a visit, the drive into the village is narrow country roads, but the character this East Devon village has to offer is a must see.
Branscombe beach with the iconic anchor and fishing boat.
