Nestled along the beautiful Jurassic Coast is the picture perfect village of Beer. The village forms part of the England’s first natural World Heritage site and is most notable for its beach, which is popular among holiday makers, residents and fishermen. The village has won several accolades including being named Countryfile’s Top Picnic Spot.
A visit to Beer Village will put you in the middle of some of Devon’s most picturesque areas. The Jurassic Coast forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and the village also sits within the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, both of which you can easily explore from the South West Coast Path, which runs through the village. For those of you who are looking for an active, outdoor holiday, Beer is the ideal location, it is easy to spend your time exploring this stunning section of coast by following the many pathways and walking trails, in one direction you’ll come to the town of Seaton, while the other will take you to the village of Branscome, whichever way you choose, you’ll be greeted with some incredible views.
Beautiful beachside resort
It isn’t just the opportunities for coastal walks that makes Beer an ideal destination for a family holiday. The beach, a shingle beach, is great for family days out, gentle strolls and for relaxing in the sunshine. Because it is a working beach, you’re likely to spot several colourful boats while walking around the beach and can often sit and watch the boats come in with the day’s catch. Above the beach, you’ll find the Jubilee Gardens, which were first commissioned to honour Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, the views across the bay from here are quite something and it is here that you can nab the very best spots for dining alfresco. There are a number of amazing family friendly attractions that can be found in and around the village as well as an extensive events calendar including the annual Beer Regatta, which takes place every summer and the Beer Rhythm and Blues festival.
While it is now a popular tourist site, Beer Village was once known for being a haven for smugglers thanks to the many caves that can be found around the cliffs of the Jurassic Coast. To this day, the village remains a hidden gem, in the eighteenth century, smugglers knew they would be well hidden as the beach is only visible from far out at sea, and the cliffs protected boats from stormy weather, so fishermen and smugglers could dock and cast off when others were stuck on shore. These days, the small coves and caves in the area are perfect for crabbing and rock pooling while the cliff provides a natural suntrap for those who fancy a relaxing day catching the rays.
Beer has a rich maritime history, which is celebrated through the many attractions found around the village including the Beer Quarry Caves and Pecorama, which features several exhibitions which hark back to days gone by. You’ll also find evidence of this at the many restaurants and eateries in the village who pride themselves on using the freshest local produce in their menus. Make sure to stop to sample some of the famous Beer crab during your visit, or if you want to really immerse yourself in the life of a fisherman, you can even take part in one of the many mackerel fishing boat trips which set off from Beer Beach most days.
Find out more about Beer here.
