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Visiting Beer for the First Time

2026-07-22·Beer

Short answer: Beer is a fishing village in a gap in white chalk cliffs, with boats winched up onto the shingle and the catch sold from a stall on the beach. The thing that makes it more than a beach stop is underground: Beer Quarry Caves, a mile inland.

What Beer is

A small fishing village tucked into a gap in the white chalk cliffs of the Jurassic Coast. Fishing boats are still winched up onto the shingle beach, and the catch is sold from a stall on it. It is one of the most characterful villages on the east Devon coast.

Under the ground

The thing that makes Beer more than a beach stop. Beer Quarry Caves, a mile inland, are Roman-era underground stone mines that supplied cathedrals across England, explored on a ninety-minute guided tour. Consistently the best-rated attraction in east Devon.

Two warnings: it is eight degrees down there year-round, so take a coat even in August. And phone ahead for tour times.

The Hooken undercliff

Between Beer Head and Branscombe — a landslip of dramatic chalk pinnacles with a path running through it. One of the most unusual walks in Devon, and free.

The beach

Sheltered shingle at the foot of the chalk cliffs, with colourful beach huts. Shingle rather than sand, so beach shoes help.

Where to eat

Nearby

Seaton is five minutes east with the tramway and the wetlands. Sidmouth is fifteen minutes west.

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