Devon

Branscombe to Beer coastal walk

Starting in the heart of Branscombe village, this scenic walk through picturesque countryside passes by the historic Forge, Old Bakery and Manor Mill before heading towards Branscombe beach where you can see the 13,500kg anchor of the MSC Napoli which grounded there in 2007.

Near to

Branscombe

Start point

National Trust car park, Margells Bridge, Branscombe, grid ref: SY196886

Mobile reception

Mobile phone reception is poor throughout Branscombe valley

Address
Margells Bridge, Branscombe, Devon, EX12 3DB
Directions via Google Maps
On foot
This walk can be joined at step 3 (from Sidmouth) and step 5 (from Seaton) via the South West Coast Path.
By bus
The Axe Valley 899 bus from Sidmouth to Seaton (connections from Axminster railway station or Honiton station) stops at the bus stop next to the Village Hall and National Trust car park at the starting point of this walk.
Cycling
The Route 2 long-distance cycle route linking Dover in Kent with St Austell in Cornwall passes through Branscombe.
For further info visit National Cycle Network
By road
Branscombe village is signposted from the A3052. The National Trust car park is located next to the Forge at Margells Bridge, Branscombe, EX12 3DB.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome along this route but must be kept on a lead on the coast path where cattle grazing signs are displayed.
Car park
National Trust car park next to The Forge at starting point. Additional parking behind Village Hall next to the National Trust car park.
Toilet
Toilets at rear of the village and next to the National Trust information centre (when the Old Bakery Café is open). Additional public toilets located in the Sea Shanty car park at Branscombe mouth and at seafront in Beer.
Picnic area
Picnic tables on the seafront.
Shop
Shop at The Forge.
Tea-room
Old Bakery tea-room offering refreshments (not National Trust).
Pub
The Masons Arms and Fountain Head Inn, local pubs serving refreshments (not National Trust).
Restaurant
Sea Shanty restaurant serving refreshments (not National Trust).
Total stages: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
National Trust car park, Margells Bridge, Branscombe, grid ref: SY196886
Stage 1
Leave the car park and cross over the road. Following signs to the Old Bakery, take the footpath to the side of the stone, single-storey building. Follow the path through the orchard passing the National Trust information room and the Old Bakery tea-room. Cross over the footbridge and walk straight through the field ahead and over a gated footbridge. Take the path in front you of that follows the leat that provides the water needed to power the Manor Mill grinding stones. At the end of this path go through the two gates in front of you to Manor Mill.
Stage 2
Take the steps to the left of Manor Mill (or exit the mill on the ground floor), walk down the driveway and through the gate on the right to take the surfaced footpath which passes in front of a barn (signposted 'Public Footpath Branscombe Mouth ¾m'). As the path forks, take the path to the right that follows the fence line and passes over a wooden footbridge. Continue along the Branscombe Mouth footpath to the sea front and then take the 'Coast Path Beer 2m' path to the left that passes in front of the Sea Shanty restaurant and the MSC Napoli anchor.
MSC Napoli anchor
On 18 January 2007, MSC Napoli, a 300yd (275m) long ship carrying 2,323 containers got into difficulty in the English Channel during stormy weather. It was beached at Branscombe to prevent further damage to the ship and minimise pollution to the environment. A total of 114 containers were lost overboard and cargo including BMW motorbikes, car parts, hair products and nappies washed up on the beach. The vessel’s salvage and removal operations cost £50 million and were not completed until July 2009, 924 days after the incident occurred.
Stage 3
Continue following the 'Coast Path Beer 2m' path over the concrete footbridge at the mouth of the river by the interpretation boards and then take the path on the right signposted ‘Coast Path Beer 2m’ up the East Cliff (National Trust). After walking uphill through two fields, follow the ‘Public footpath Hooken cliff ½m Beer 1¾m’ path up a steep set of steps. Upon reaching the top continue forward to the bench for a rest, and you will be rewarded with fantastic views of Branscombe, Sidmouth and the coastline beyond.
Stage 4
Continue along the public footpath towards Beer. Pass through the gated cattle pen and across a field with the remains of the old lookout. Follow the footpath along coastline, passing through a further two kissing gates before veering to the left as the path reaches the bottom corner of the field. Continue along this path passing through another kissing gate before going left along a well-established dirt path that follows the hedge line, and passes through a kissing gate at the foot of the Beer Head caravan park. At the end of Little Lane Coast Footpath by the HM Coastguard Beer Station, follow the path signposted ‘Beer 1/3m' down Common Lane into the centre of Beer where you can enjoy an ice cream, Devonshire cream tea or join a mackerel fishing trip (seasonal).
Stage 5
After exploring Beer, start your return journey towards Branscombe by walking back up Common Lane and turning left into Little Lane Coast Footpath by the HM Coastguard Beer Station. Continue following the footpath back towards Branscombe past the bottom of the Beer Head bistro, shop and caravan park to the coast. Follow the South West Coast Path along the coastline for approximately ¾ mile (1.2km) and then take the lower path that passes through a kissing gate signposted ‘Coast Path Branscombe Mouth 1m’ to return to Branscombe via the Hooken undercliff path.
Stage 6
Follow the undulating footpath along the undercliff and beyond the chalets of the Sea Shanty caravan park. After passing through the gate next to the cattle grid, follow the concrete drive across the field (signposted 'Coast Path Public Footpath'). At the end of the field continue past the Branscombe Vale Brewery ‘Branoc’ and Great Seaside buildings to the end of the drive. Turn right on to the road and then take the path immediately to the left (in front of a bench by an allotment) which passes through the Monterey Pine woods opposite Great Seaside B&B. Follow the path through the woods bearing off to the right. Climb over the stile and walk across the field and through a gate to rejoin the Branscombe valley path. Turn right onto the path and continue walking ahead, passing through the gate next to the barn at the end of Manor Mill driveway. Continue straight up Mill Lane and turn left before crossing the road to return to the National Trust car park next to the Forge.
The Forge and Old Bakery
Branscombe Forge is the only thatched forge currently operating in England. Today visitors to the forge can see the blacksmiths crafting beautiful ironwork over their hot coals, and can purchase work from the showroom. The Old Bakery situated in the orchard opposite the Forge was the last traditional working bakery in the county when it closed its doors in 1987. The old baking equipment has been preserved in the baking room while the rest of the building now serves as a tea-room.
End point
National Trust car park, Margells Bridge, Branscombe, grid ref: SY196886
Trail map
Map of Branscombe to Beer coastal walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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01297680507

branscombe@nationaltrust.org.uk

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