Smugglers Cottage is down a wonderful long farm driveway and has panoramic valley views - just a couple of miles from Branscombe's gorgeous Jurassic beach.
There is a stunning terrace for al fresco meals and simply relaxing in beautiful surroundings.
The first floor sitting-room makes the most of the fantastic valley views from the balcony.
The dining/kitchen area also has comfortable seating if you prefer to be downstairs.
The beach is so unspoilt, there is a beachside car park and a seasonal cafe/shop, and of course the South West Coast Path to challenge you.
Smugglers Cottage is at the head of a beautiful valley above the coastal village of Branscombe. There is a fully enclosed parking and garden-area behind the cottage.
The working part of the kitchen is just around the corner on the other side of the door to the terrace.
The cosy first floor sitting-room has two comfortable sofas and wonderful views.
This is a special place to relax whatever the time of year, watching the seasons and the weather.
This is a wonderful social dining space for guests to enjoy after a day out exploring the Jurassic Coast.
The owner's farmhouse is in the background but you have all the privacy you need and your terrace faces across the valley so is not overlooked at all.
The little working kitchen-area has all that you need for your stay. For extra workspace you have the lovely farmhouse kitchen table.
The views from this room stretch all the way down the valley in the direction of the village. It is a lovely walk as the little lane is so quiet.
Looking back towards the door to the terrace. This is your main entrance though there is another door to the cottage on the other side if ever needed.
This is the master bedroom on the first floor. It looks out over some of the original farmstead buildings.
This bedroom has plenty of space for your things.
This bathroom is also on the first floor, right next to the main bedroom.
This is the ground floor bedroom with its double sleigh bed.
The cottage is beautifully furnished and feels very tranquil and elegant.
The ground floor bedroom has this en suite bathroom with separate shower cubicle.
Please note the steps from this bedroom up into the en suite bathroom.
What a peaceful place to sit and relax. With the pond in front of you (please take care with children) and the valley stretching away down the hill.
The terrace has spectacular views and is the perfect place to get into holiday mood.
The long farm driveway leads to...
...beautiful Smugglers Cottage.
The award-winning Sea Shanty Beach cafe at Branscombe beach serves delicious locally-caught seafood.
Millers Farm shop on the A35 just outside of Axminster has an array of local produce and delicious holiday treats.
This is Jacob's Ladder at Sidmouth. There is a long sandy beach here at low tide.
This little tram runs between the historc village of Colyton and the Jurassic coast at Seaton, following the Axe estuary through two nature reserves.
Nearby Branscombe's shingle beach.
River Cottage HQ is a short drive from Smugglers Cottage, great venue for a celebratory meal or to polish your cooking skills.
The award-winning Masons Arms is one of two pubs in the long village of Branscombe.
Smugglers Cottage
3218Branscombe | Sleeps 4 + cot
7 Nights from £548
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearby pub
Excellent food and great pub atmosphere with plenty of outside seating for balmy summer evenings and a roaring open fire for cooler weather. Dogs are welcome.
October 2023
Excellent food
A great country pub with such friendly staff and excellent food
October 2016
You have to visit here !
The Masons Arms, from the outside it looks stunning, charming thatch, honey stone, you expect so much from this first impression, well we were not disappointed, inside the atmosphere is spot on, and the food, local beers and especially the service from the ever attentive staff was brilliant. Welcomes dogs too, a truly British pub experience.
Glad we are not locals, we'd be in here every day !
August 2011
Great crab ploughman's!
Get there early at lunch time for a table outside in the summer. The famous crab ploughman's makes a wonderful lunch - washed down with the local Branscombe Bitter. For me the beer of the week!
March 2009
Chocclate box pub in a chocolate box village
The Mason Arms is a very popular pub in the heart of Branscombe village. It has lots of nooks and crannies and plenty of eating space, although it can get extremely busy in the summer months and at bank holidays - make sure you book ahead for a table. The food is fresh, great quality and very well cooked - a surefire winner!
Nearby beach
A long shingle mile long beach stretching from Branscombe to Beer Head. You can walk there along the coastal path or park in the nearby car park (charges apply). There are facilities nearby and a dog exercise area.
Nearby walk
A challenging five mile walk taking in coastal path, woodland and even over an airstrip. Some of the path is very steep, however its well worth the effort for the stunning views and beautiful countryside. Visit the Old Bakery in Branscombe on your return for a well-deserved snack!
October 2016
A Walk for all seasons
Park at the village hall and stroll through the fields on an easy footpath or take the slightly steeper paths, either way it's a great short walk to the beach and the Sea Shanty cafe for a coffee / snack, stroll on the pebbly beach to take in the great views.
Nearby town
Once famous for its hand-made lace, the chocolate-box-pretty village of Branscombe rambles along narrow roads down a steep-sided valley to a shingle beach at Branscombe Mouth. Today, it's a popular starting point for walks along the Jurassic Coast on the South West Coast Path. The National Trust owns a substantial amount of land in the area as well as The Old Bakery, Mill and Forge.
October 2016
A great place to stay.
We stayed here in a local cottage, what a lovely base, 2 great pubs, and some lovely cottages, the church, and the scenery from the wooded hillsides to the beach, everywhere you look, something to make you smile.
If there was a shop or two the place would be perfect.
October 2016
A must see village - unspoilt beach and countryside, tearooms, two great village inns, exquisite Norman church. A perfect base to explore the beautiful East Devon coast.
Also nearby
The focus here is on the animals, so there are no rides or play parks, just rescued donkeys to see and stroke. The Donkey Sanctuary is dog-friendly and admission is free.
November 2024
Fun for all ages
Lovely day out, young and old thoroughly entertained and well worth a visit
October 2019
Liz Riley
Loved this place! So well-kept and loads of gorgeous donkeys to stroke. Good cafe too.
July 2016
Dinky Donks
Lovely to visit, and as it's free you can spend as little or as long as you like. Not just donkeys, there are some walks / trails to follow and a good cafe.
April 2012
A great family day out, free entry, free parking, all facilities on site are good - from eating to toilets, beautiful grounds. Only downside is reliant on reasonable weather as mostly outdoors.
June 2009
A wonderful day out for all the family - go on a fine day as you can walk a long way. A great bonus is that it is FREE to visit and there is no pressure on visitors to pay anything - but you will want to help this super charity.
February 2009
The donkey sanctuary is a brilliant day out for families. We have been here on numerous occasions and it is a joy to see the smiles on the childrens faces as they interact with the donkeys. We are always made to feel very welcome and the staff are very well informed.
January 2009
One of the largest in the world. Great for children and adults will enjoy it too.
- J M Wynne
This cluster of pretty, thatched buildings date back over 200 years. See the blacksmith at work in the forge, stroll along the mill stream at the restored water mill and round off the day with a cream tea at the Old Bakery.
September 2019
Delicious cakes and lovely staff
A perfect spot to end/begin/break a walk when staying in or around Branscombe. A good destination too if walking to Branscombe from Beer or Sidmouth. Delicious home made cakes daily (my favourite was the apple and cider cake), fresh scones daily for generous cream teas, and lovely friendly staff. I didn't try the lunches, but they looked divine too.
The goodies sold in the shop are also fab - the lemon and apple curd, made with apples from the orchard next to the bakery, was lush!
Dog friendly inside and out, which is helpful on the cooler or wetter days.
July 2010
The National Trust looks after this collection of thatched buildings in one of the most beautiful coastal villages in Devon. Most of the surrounding countryside is also owned by the Trust. Visit the working mill and forge and enjoy a traditional cream tea in the Old Bakery. There is also a lovely walk to the beach.
Classic old-fashioned seaside charm. Little wooden changing huts line up on the beach in front of the striking white chalk cliffs. The town has been a fishing port since the 15th Century and many of the buildings are listed.
May 2023
Beer coastal walk
Lovely coastal walk. You do walk in fields with livestock (sheep and cows) so something to remember if you go with a dogs.
August 2012
Absolutely lovely small seaside town. Nice shops and facilities. Beach side cafe excellent and no one minded my elderly mother sitting there all day. Limited availability of deckchairs and no sun umbrellas at all. Good fishing trip for mackerel. Parking some distance from the town.
January 2010
Devon Seaside village
Pretty beach, fresh fish - catch your own mackerel boats if you like - and Pecorama - delightful gardens, model railway and regular childrens activites/events. Super cliff walk to Branscombe.
February 2009
The beach is a lovely combination of children's paradise whilst retaining an element of a working seaside town with atmospheric fishing boats waiting to be taken out. Possibly one of the most enticing reasons for coming to Beer are the fresh fish stalls at the edge of the beach where you can pick up fresh crab, lobster and many other things in the catch of the day - a must for fish lovers! The Dolphin and the Anchor pubs deserve a mention for their food too.
- D Brazendale
Up on the hillside above the pretty fishing village of Beer, Pecorama is home to the Peco Model Railway Exhibition and The Beer Heights Light Railway. The miniature railway carries passengers through the grounds, with great views over Beer and Lyme Bay. On site you'll also find children's play areas, crazy golf, a refreshments car and the colourful Millenium Gardens. During the summer, jugglers, magicians and clowns perform at the Top Spot Garden Theatre.
August 2019
Pecorama Model Railway
This is a great day out for children and adults alike. There is plenty to see and do aside from the railway with lovely gardens and plenty of seating to admire the views. Book online to save money.
July 2010
PECO Model railway exhibition and 1/4 inch gauge minature railway carrying passengers through a mile of beautiful gardens, a tunnel and beautiful sea views, with childrens activity areas, Orion Pullman Refreshments Car and Top Spot Garden Theatre.
Part of a Natural World Heritage Site. Marvel at the vast underground caverns created by cenuries of quarrying the famous Beer Stone. First worked by the Romans, the underground quarry supplied stone for 24 cathedrals, including Exeter and St Pauls. Quarried by hand, the smallest blocks weighing four tons, the stone was carted on horse-drawn wagons by barges from Beer beach to its destination, sometimes involving journeys of several hundreds of miles. Conducted tours last an hour.
July 2010
The 2,000 year old Stone Quarry - take an hour long tour through the awe insiping caves with their mighty halls of vaulted roofs and pillars of Beer Stone, which have been likened to a vast underground cathedral.
February 2009
Articles | From around the area
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Food and Drink
