"If Devon had a Bermuda Triangle, hidden away inside it would be the seaside village of Beer". It is how the village's website sums up its obscurity perfectly.
The gorgeous coastal gem is tucked away in Lyme Bay on the Jurassic Coast between Seaton and Branscombe. The settlement sits in a cleft between sea cliffs, so it offers a variety of views for the discerning tourist.
There are towering cliffs above both sand and shingle beaches, or if taking in the fabulous coastal walk from Beer to Branscombe, unrivalled vistas of the English Channel in its azure glory. The waters are cobalt blue and with website BritishBeaches rating the water quality as 'excellent', you know you can swim in safety.
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One of the many highlights of Beer Beach is its crystal-clear waters, which are ideal for swimming and snorkelling. The beach is sheltered by the cliffs, providing a relatively calm and safe environment for water activities. The clean and clear waters also make it a popular spot for rock pooling, allowing visitors to discover a fascinating array of marine life.
On the way to the beach you'll make your way down Sea Hill, home to Beer Fisheries, where you can even find yourself a fantastic daily catch, ranging anywhere from your common cod and mackerel, to skate and the much-prized turbot. It's always entertaining chatting with the fishermen, often armed with tall tales.
The beach is a working one, and as such is home to the village's many fishing boats dotting the shoreline. It's an excellent spot for people watching, so a pair of binoculars certainly wouldn't go amiss here to observe the comings and goings of the village fishermen.
The flint bricked streets of Beer have plenty of options for food: fish and chips are never far away, and with such fresh fish around you know it'll be worth it. As we all known, fish and chips always tastes better by the sea anyway.
The village once had an infamous reputation for the presence of smugglers. Its tactical location amongst the cliffs meant it wasn't easily spotted at sea, and the limestone stone meant caves and nooks could easily be built into the them; holding silk, brandy and tobacco, ready to be illicitly distributed throughout the country.
If hills and sea aren't your thing - perhaps you've been dragged by friends or family - you can visit the limestone quarry. They might be a little innocuous these days but over their history they have played host to a clandestine Catholic church post-Reformation, and been a place for famous local smuggle Jack Rattenbury to store his contraband.
And if Beer didn’t already have enough to convince you, it is also part of the Jurassic Coast, a site known for its deep and extensive geological history. For all the adventurers out there, fossils can be found along the beach too, giving visitors the chance to discover remnants of the rich ancient marine life that lived there millions of years ago.
The village of Beer itself is a beautiful place to explore. It features narrow streets lined with charming cottages, art galleries, cafes, and traditional pubs. You can take a leisurely stroll through the village, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and taking in the stunning coastal views.
In 2018, the village was named the best village in England in Channel 4's Village of the Year competition. Judges complemented Beer’s fishing and lace making heritage, as well as its community spirit, and in the final called it the jewel in the crown of the Jurassic Coast.
