Six Jurassic Coast beaches within half an hour of Feniton
Six East Devon beaches on the Jurassic Coast, all within about half an hour of Feniton: red cliffs, sea stacks, fishing boats and quiet pebble coves.
The Jurassic Coast runs for 95 miles from Orcombe Point near Exmouth to Old Harry Rocks in Dorset. It became England’s first natural World Heritage Site in 2001, and its cliffs record about 185 million years of the Earth’s history. The oldest part, with its famous red Triassic rock, is right here in East Devon.
From The Old Chapel in Feniton, six very different beaches are all within about half an hour’s drive. Here is how to choose.
1. Sidmouth: the classic seaside town
About 25 minutes by car
Sidmouth has a wide Regency seafront, deep red cliffs at either end and plenty of places for fish and chips or an ice cream. Climb Jacob’s Ladder, the wooden staircase at the western end, to reach the Connaught Gardens and their views along the coast. It is the easiest beach day if you want cafés, shops and toilets close by.
Best for: families, a gentle stroll and an easy lunch.
2. Ladram Bay: sea stacks and red rock
About 25 minutes by car
Ladram Bay is the place for the picture-postcard view: tall red sandstone stacks standing in the sea, carved by waves from the cliffs behind. The beach sits beside a large holiday park, so the best way to enjoy it is from the South West Coast Path above, walking west from Sidmouth or east from Budleigh Salterton.
Best for: photographers and coast path walkers.
3. Budleigh Salterton: pebbles and a river mouth
About 30 minutes by car
Budleigh Salterton is quieter and more genteel than its neighbours. Its long beach is made of large, smooth pebbles, and at the eastern end the River Otter meets the sea. A flat path runs up the estuary through a nature reserve, where you can watch wading birds. It is a lovely way to follow the same river that flows past Ottery St Mary, just south of Feniton.
Best for: peace and quiet, birdwatching and an easy riverside walk.
4. Exmouth: sand and the start of the Jurassic Coast
About 35 minutes by car
If you want sand, head to Exmouth. Its two miles of beach are perfect for sandcastles, paddling and watersports. Walk east to Orcombe Point, where a stone monument called the Geoneedle marks the official start of the Jurassic Coast.
Best for: children, sandy beach days and watersports.
5. Branscombe: a hidden valley
About 30 minutes by car
Branscombe is one of the longest villages in England, its thatched cottages spread along a green valley that ends at a pebble beach. Start at the National Trust car park by the Old Forge, still a working thatched forge. Follow the easy path past the Old Bakery tea room and Manor Mill to the sea. On the beach you can still see the huge anchor of the MSC Napoli, which ran aground here in 2007.
Best for: a slow day with a walk, a tea room and a pub lunch.
6. Beer: white cliffs and fishing boats
About 35 minutes by car
Beer is a working fishing village where boats are still hauled up onto the shingle. Unusually for this coast, its cliffs are white chalk, a sign of how the rocks change as you move east. Just outside the village, Beer Quarry Caves show where stone for some of England’s great cathedrals was cut by hand.
Best for: fresh fish, rock pools and a coastal walk to Branscombe.
Which beach should you choose?
| Beach | Drive from Feniton | Beach type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sidmouth | about 25 min | shingle and sand at low tide | families, cafés |
| Ladram Bay | about 25 min | shingle | sea stacks, photos |
| Budleigh Salterton | about 30 min | large pebbles | quiet, birdwatching |
| Branscombe | about 30 min | pebbles | walks, tea room |
| Exmouth | about 35 min | sand | children, watersports |
| Beer | about 35 min | shingle | fishing boats, rock pools |
Before you go
- Check the tide. Some beaches shrink to a narrow strip at high tide, and rock pools only appear at low tide.
- Keep away from the cliff base. The Jurassic Coast is still eroding and rockfalls happen. Stay off cliff tops near the edge, too.
- Check the coast path. Some sections close after landslips. The low Under Hooken path between Branscombe and Beer was closed in 2026, so use the clifftop route instead.
- Bringing a dog? Parts of the main East Devon beaches have dog bans from 1 May to 30 September. See our dog-friendly guide.
Stay at The Old Chapel
After a day of salt air, come back to stone walls, a log burner and a quiet garden in Feniton. The Old Chapel sleeps four, and dogs are welcome. Planning a full weekend? Read our two-night East Devon itinerary. Book direct and save 10% on our Airbnb prices.
