Seaton to Beer over White Cliff.
The South West Coastal path runs along Seaton Sea Front and over the White Cliff to Beer.
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View Walking from Seaton to Beer in a larger map
The Walk.
From Fishermans Gap on the centre of Seaton seafront, walk west along the Esplanade towards the Chine café and the white chalk cliffs of Beer.
At the Chine café at the end of West Walk there are two route options.
- Up the steps at the side of the Chine café to Beer Road.
- Along the beach to Seaton Hole.
Via the steps at the side of the Chine café to Beer Road.
When the tide is too high up the beach to make the route along the beach to Seaton Hole safe to use, this alternative route allows safe passage to the Old Beer Road and Beer Hill.
Take the steps at the side of the Chine café and follow them upwards towards the houses of West Cliff Terrace to join the Beer Road. Turn left along the Beer Road for 250 yards to the junction with the Old Beer Road. Turn left along the Old Beer Road for 450 yards with the sea on your left.
At the Cliff café and the route down to Seaton Hole, the two alternative routes have merged and it's on wards to Beer.
Fork left up the single track Lane of Beer Hill.
This is the start of the steep slope upwards over White Cliff, walk up Beer Hill for 200 yards and turn sharp left onto the South West Way Coastal Path.
The path leads steeply upwards, but you are rewarded at the top for the slope with a bench where you can rest and admire the spectacular view across Seaton Bay to Seaton and the Axe Valley and on a clear day across Lyme Bay as far as Portland.
Once you have caught your breath carry on along the path over the cliff top stopping at the several viewing points to take in the views and start the descent to Beer.
You will notice that often it is warmer this side of the cliff and sheltered from the wind, this is reflected in the increase in trees and undergrowth which hide the views of the sea and Beer and its bay until you are almost there.
Again there are viewing places along the path which allow superb photo opportunities of Beer beach and its fishing boats.
Turn left at the signpost marking the start of steep steps down through Beer Memorial Gardens with its benches and viewing terraces and down further to where the path joins Sea Hill opposite the Anchor Public House.
From this point you can turn left down Sea Hill to the beach (don’t forget to visit the fresh fish shop) or right up Fore Street to explore the village.
Alternatively you can follow the South West Way Coastal Path onwards to Branscombe.
Via Seaton Hole and the Beach.
Seaton Hole is a dangerous place at high tide with strong currents and swells. Walkers must avoid this route at times when the sea is likely to cut off the route along the beach to safety.
At low tide it is possible to walk along the beach from the Chine café to the steps at Seaton Hole.
Seaton Hole is at the western end of a fault line in the rock strata where white chalk cliffs protrude through the red sandstone and mudstone cliffs of this part of East Devon.
Access from the beach is up 37 concrete steps to rejoin the South West Way Coastal Path. The original steps were buried by a landslip and the access from the beach fenced off for safety reasons. In 2001 Gordon Wellington and a team of local volunteers cleared the undergrowth and debris, constructed the steps and reopened the beach access. In recognition of this achievement, this section of the path is known as ‘Gordon’s Way’.
At the top of the steps rejoin the South West Way Coastal Path and walk up the slope to the junction at the Old Beer Road and Beer Hill. At the top of the slope the Cliff café provides drinks and snacks where you can sit on their terrace and enjoy the views.
More Walks
Walk Details
- Distance: 2 miles.
- Time: 30 minutes.
- Height Range: Sea level to 80 metres.
- Path: good tarmac paths and road.
- Hills: steep.
Beer.
Enclosed by chalk cliffs, Beer with its own small bay nestles in a valley with picturesque stone houses and cottages built on many different levels.
The beach is a working beach for the fisherman whose families have fished here for generations and their fishing boats are still launched from the beach and winched back on to the shore.
In the past, the sheltered bay allowed the fishermen of Beer to put to sea in weather which prevented other Devon and Dorset fishermen from leaving their more exposed beaches.
The local fishermen still launch their boats from the beach, landing their catches of fresh fish, crabs, lobsters and scallops. In the summer month’s visitors can get a hint of a fisherman’s life by going on a mackerel fishing trip.
Motor boats can be hired by the ½ hour or the hour and on fine summer evenings and weekends the dinghy’s of the Sailing club and the sailing luggers of Beer Luggers club are out in the bay.
Fresh fish, crabs and scallops caught that day in Lyme Bay can be bought from the fish mongers shop on the beach.