Bucks Mills Beach

Set at the foot of a remote wooded valley the beach at Buck’s Mill is surprisingly wide. Joining up with Peppercombe beach to the east this stretch of grey pebble beach is virtually unbroken between Westward Ho! and Clovelly.

It is said that Bucks Mill began life after the survivors of a Spanish galleon wreck set up home here. Eventually marrying local women they established a fiercely independent community based around fishing and farming. Not much changed until the 20th century the village is gradually being “discovered”.

In some respects Bucks Mill is like a scaled down version of Clovelly. A clutch of cottages line the road which clings to the cliffs as it winds down to the slipway. Unlike Clovelly, the village appears to have largely escaped the ravages of tourism. However, this means you won’t find anything in the way of facilities.

On the lowest of tides you’ll find some sand at Buck’s Mill, although there is a fairly consistent patch between the rocks, in what is known as “the Gut”. This is a section of reef which was dynamited to make a safe passage for the fishing boats.

Besides the charms of the village and woodland walk one of Bucks Mill’s biggest attractions is the waterfall which cascades down the cliffs. You may also spot surfers here when the conditions are right, although the waves are only for the experienced.