Beer Beach

Beer Beach sits below the picturesque Devon village of Beer, forming part of the 95-mile Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

The name “Beer” comes from the Old English translation of “grove”, rather than any connection with the popular beverage.

The beach here is made up of shingle, and is mostly protected from strong winds and waves because it lies in a cove, protected by the white chalky cliffs of Beer Head.

Visitors will find a small fleet of attractively coloured fishing boats parked by the water’s edge, highlighting that even to this day fishing still plays a part in the economy alongside tourism. In the late afternoon it can be fun to watch the fishing boats bringing in their catches of fish, lobsters and crabs.

Although there are not particularly strong currents, as you enter the water, the shingle beach steeply descends into deeper water meaning that you’ll quickly find yourself out of your depth. Whilst this may be ideal for confident swimmers there is no lifeguard cover so care should be taken.

There is limited parking adjacent to the beach, but in the centre of the village there is a larger car park about 100 meters walk from the beach. The village has toilets as well as a range of cafes, pubs serving local beers and ales and restaurants specialising in sea food along Fore Street, which descends down to Sea Hill and onto the beach.

Above the bay, the Jubilee Gardens, built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s diamond Jubilee are worth a visit as they offer spectacular views.

Dogs are allowed on the beach from 1 October until 30 April, but are banned during the summer.