Best Sunset Spots in Beer

Short answer: Beer faces south-east, so the sun sets behind Beer Head rather than over the sea. What you get instead is the evening light on the white chalk cliffs. The Anchor Inn's beer garden, on the cliff above the beach, is the best seat.

The sun goes behind Beer Head

Beer sits in a gap in the white chalk cliffs, facing out to the south-east. The sun goes down behind Beer Head to the west rather than into the sea in front of you.

The chalk is the point

What you get is the evening light on white chalk — rare on a coast that is mostly red sandstone — with the fishing boats pulled up on the shingle below. It is a different kind of evening, and a good one.

The Anchor Inn

On the cliff above the beach, with a beer garden that has the best view in the village. Food is served late, so you can eat as the light goes.

Beer Head

Climb onto the headland and you get the western sky. Beer Head Bistro, up at the caravan park, has a bay view and easy parking.

Arrive half an hour before sunset and stay twenty minutes after. The afterglow is usually better than the sunset itself, and most people leave the moment the sun touches the horizon.

Practical

• Take a torch — coast paths are unlit on the walk back.
• Stay back from cliff edges; you cannot see where the ground gives way in low light.
• It gets cold fast once the sun goes, even in summer.
• The cliff paths around Beer Head are high and unfenced in places.