Branscombe Beach

Branscombe is a pebble beach at the bottom of a valley on the Jurassic Coast. It suits a slow day: a walk down from the village, rock pools at low tide, and a view along the cliffs. Dogs are welcome on leads, which makes it a practical base for a holiday near Branscombe.

The beach and the walk down

Branscombe is a pebble beach with some rock pools at low tide. Walking on pebbles is slower than on sand, so wear shoes with a sole. A level route runs along the valley from the National Trust car park to the beach, about 0.7 miles, on an easy graded trail with a stoned surface. At the beach the path meets a steeply sloping junction with a crossfall and a concrete sleeping policeman, which can be challenging for anyone with limited mobility. Keep well away from the base of the cliffs, after cliff falls on the east side.

You can still see the anchor of the MSC Napoli, which grounded here in 2007.

Swimming

Swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking are popular here, but take caution because there are no lifeguards. Swim only in calm conditions and keep children within reach.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome on leads on the beach. Seasonal beach exclusions apply between 1 May and 30 September at Exmouth, Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Seaton and Beer, and Branscombe is not on that list. Take the usual lead rule for roads and pavements seriously on the way down.

Parking and facilities

There is a small National Trust car park next to the Old Forge and a village hall car park, with donations welcome at both. By the beach is a private pay-and-display car park, which is not National Trust. Public toilets are in the village hall car park and the beach car park. There is also a beachside refreshment kiosk. For a sit-down meal, there is a cafe in the village near the main car parks. The Axe Vale Mini-Travel bus 899 links Branscombe with Sidmouth and Seaton.

Nearby

The bus runs on to Sidmouth and Seaton, and Beer is also on this stretch of the Jurassic Coast.