Beer Beach

Beer is a working beach. Shingle runs under limestone cliffs, and the fishing boats that go out from here are launched from the beach, so you share the shore with working boats. It suits a relaxed day for families, and it is easy to combine with a stay in Beer itself.

The beach

This is a family-friendly shingle beach surrounded by limestone cliffs, where fishermen launch specially designed boats from the beach, with mackerel fishing trips available. The beach cafe sits within the dog restriction zone described below. Shingle is slow going underfoot, so bring shoes with a sole. The access to the beach is a sloping road that is too steep for wheelchairs, with steps down at the west part of the beach.

Dogs

Beer is one of five East Devon beaches with seasonal dog restrictions between 1 May and 30 September. Dogs are banned from a point below the Sea Hill access path to the edge of the cliffs in the west, but dogs on leads can reach the beach cafe inside that zone. From 1 October to 30 April, dogs can go anywhere on the beach.

Parking and toilets

A small car park sits right by the beach, and there are larger ones in the centre of the village and at Beer Head, about 15 minutes’ walk away. Check the tariff on the signs. Public toilets are close to the beach.

Nearby

A coastal walk from Beer reaches Branscombe, where the anchor of the MSC Napoli, grounded in 2007, can still be seen. Sidmouth has a town beach with its own seasonal dog zone.