Around Beer
There are lots of great places to visit around Beer by car. Please see the map below for a key as to where some of the more interesting options are located.
Within 5 Miles
Just a mile and a half east from Beer and easily walkable up and over the coast path, is the sea-side town of Seaton. Here you will find many more shops, pubs, restaurants and a supermarket. From the town centre you can catch the electric tram along the banks of the River Axe, through Colyford and on to Colyton. The River Axe forms an estuary between Seaton and Axmouth, and so the river and marsh wetlands is a superb birdwatching destination whilst on the eastern side of the estuary you will find the Axe Cliff Golf Course. 1
On the B3052, 4 miles north-west of Beer you will find a more low-key game of golf, at the 9 hole, par 3 Oak Mead Family Golf Course. Another mile along this road brings you to the famous Donkey Sanctuary where you can meet and stroke the rescued donkeys. 2
4 miles to the north of Beer is the iron age hill fort of Blackbury Camp. Visiting is free and makes a good detour if on your way to Wiscombe Park to watch hill climbing which is a great way to experience at close hand value for money motor sport. 3
On the back lanes just 1 mile west of Beer you will find Beer Quarry Caves, famous for the supply of building material for the Tower of London and Hampton Court amongst others. A mile and a half further on this way leads you to the pretty village of Branscombe, a destination that also can be reached via a picturesque coastal walk from Beer. Here you will find the National Trust property of the Old Bakery, Manor Mill and Forge. The Masons Arms serves great food and down at the beach you will find the Sea Shanty Café offering teas, cakes as well as something a little stronger! 4
Within 10 Miles
10 miles to the east of Beer is the seaside town of Lyme Regis. It has a beach, shops, pubs, museum, water mill and marine aquarium. Midway between Lyme Regis and Axminster (on Trinity Hill Road EX13 8TB) and about 9 miles from Beer, is Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's famous River Cottage, with it’s cookery school and restaurant. 5 He also owns a deli in Axminster, a town originally made famous by it’s carpet industry.
Colyton lies 5 miles north of Beer and is the northern terminus of the electric tram to Seaton. Two miles north of Colyton you can visit the Lyme Bay Winery and stock up not just on local wine, but cider and brandy too. Just another mile north is the National Trust medieval manor house of Shute Barton. 6
10 miles to the northwest of Beer you can visit the town of Ottery St Mary which holds a few interesting events. For bonfire night there is the famous burning tar barrels with a carnival on the same weekend. In the summer is Pixie Day where young children dress up and re-enact the Pixie’s Revenge. August brings the annual Beautiful Days music festival in nearby Escot Park, a country house that can be visited all year with walks, play barn, seahorse centre, gardens and a maze. 7
Between Ottery and Honiton is the small village of Gittisham which is actually on our Putts Corner walk in the visitors folder. Here you will find the Pig at Combe restaurant. If you have not been to a Pig before, treat yourself. Sometimes they may have low season lunchtime set menu deals to look out for.
Heading west from Beer takes you 7 miles to the town of Sidmouth. This larger seaside destination has many shops, sandy beach, museum and the Norman Lockyer Observatory with fascinating evening lectures. 8 Why not take the bus one way between Beer and Sidmouth, and walk the coast path? 4 miles north is the country house of Sand with occasional theatre in the garden.
Within 20 Miles
13 miles west: Otterton Mill - a working tidal mill, café, crafts, live music events. Right near here on the coast is Ladrum Bay with it's impressive sea stacks. 9
13 miles west - Bicton Park Botanical Gardens -woodland railway, maze, play area and museum. 10
14 miles west - Bicton Arena - show jumping and dressage centre. 11
14 miles west - Raceworld indoor karting. 12
16 miles west - Crealy Adventure Park - farm animals, play areas, rides. 13
16 miles west - Budleigh Salterton, beach, shops, Fairlynch arts centre and museum. 14
18 miles northwest (near Dunkeswell EX14 4LT) - Mansell Raceway, outdoor karting track (run by Nigel’s sons).
20 miles west - Exmouth, a lively town where the river Exe meets the sea with shops, restaurants, brewery and shows at the Pavilion. 15
20 miles west: city of Exeter - cathedral, museum, great shops, Exeter City football, Exeter Chiefs rugby, free Red Coat city tours, underground passages. 16
