Smugglers Cottage

3218

Branscombe | Sleeps 4 + cot

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7 Nights from £548

The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.

Nearby pub

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

October 2023

Excellent food

A great country pub with such friendly staff and excellent food


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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 !


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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!


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

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!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

November 2024

Fun for all ages

Lovely day out, young and old thoroughly entertained and well worth a visit


Rated 4 out of 5 stars

October 2019

Liz Riley

Loved this place! So well-kept and loads of gorgeous donkeys to stroke. Good cafe too.


Rated 4 out of 5 stars

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.


Rated 4 out of 5 stars

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.


Rated 4 out of 5 stars

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.


Rated 4 out of 5 stars

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.


Rated 4 out of 5 stars

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

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.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars

February 2009

Articles | From around the area

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