Branscombe, Devon
Narrow winding lanes take you slowly down to Branscombe, an unspoilt and achingly pretty village on the World Heritage Site Jurassic Coast in Devon. Picturesque thatched cottages line the main street, roses scramble up the walls and in the summertime, hanging baskets are profuse with flowers. It’s adorable, with all the charm of a more peaceful time and the hubbub of the city seems a million miles away.
Park in the beach car park and go for a stroll around; wander back up to the village centre for lunch at the Masons Arms or carry on up the hill to The Fountain Inn where you can sit outside and sup a pint in the sunshine. Head down to the sand and pebble beach to bathe or paddle, and at low tide, discover a world of tiny marine life in the rockpools; rock up early for breakfast by the shore at The Sea Shanty Beach Café, otherwise go there for lunch or coffee and home-made cake.
Branscombe is a lovely place to visit on your large group holiday in the West Country and it’s easy to while away a whole day here. There’s an old thatched forge (the oldest working forge in the country) where you can see the blacksmith at work and buy metalwork for your home or garden. There’s also a charming Old Bakery and Tea Room with an impressive collection of bygones from when bread was made here for the whole village; outside is a leafy garden and an apple orchard – find a spot beneath the trees on a warm day and tuck into freshly baked scones with local jam and clotted cream.
Either side of the village are walks on the South West Coast Path, with stunning coastal views; see if you can find Littlecombe Shoot, a tiny tucked-away cove where little chalets are dotted among the cliffs – access is not for the faint hearted, via a steep and zigzagging path down to the pebble beach, but if you can do it, it’s so worth it because it’s quiet and completely unspoilt.
The thing is, Branscombe is so utterly charming; lucky are the people who live here, though they may feel differently in the summer months when it can get rather busy. It’s the kind of place you read about in vintage children’s books, where our parents and grandparents spent their holidays. Go and make memories like they did.
All information correct at the time of writing