This Devon beach town was rated #1 in the country
Beer has just been named the best fishing village in the country by The Telegraph, thanks to its working beach, historic quarries and old-school character.
Set between steep white cliffs on the East Devon coast, this isn’t the kind of place where boats bob in a marina – here, they’re winched straight up onto the shingle!
The Telegraph rating
Beer was rated number one on the Telegraph’s article “The 20 best seaside villages in Britain“, beating the likes of Clovelly (which came in at number 10), Mousehole and Port Isaac.
About Beer
The Telegraph described Beer as “a rarity,” and it’s not hard to see why. While some seaside villages feel like museums or Instagram sets, Beer still has a real sense of life about it.
The streets are narrow and steep, lined with flint-stone cottages and low-key shops.
The Anchor Inn, right by the water, serves up local ale and seafood with views across Lyme Bay.
Just above the village is Pecorama, a miniature railway attraction with gardens and a cliff-top café. It’s a bit of a local institution – popular with families, but also a reminder of the area’s links with the old quarry and rail industries.
Walkers can join the South West Coast Path in either direction. Head east and you’ll be on your way to Branscombe, with clifftop views and the chance to spot fossils in the rock.
Head west and you’ll climb up to Beer Head, where the chalk cliffs drop sharply to the sea.
See a full list of things to do in Beer here.
How to get to Beer
🚗 by car
Beer lies along the A3052, roughly 21 miles east of Exeter and 9 miles west of Lyme Regis. From Exeter, take the M5 to junction 30 then follow the A3052 coastal road – expect a 34‑minute drive through rolling countryside and occasional narrow lanes.
Signs for “Pecorama” guide you directly into Beer village; follow brown tourist signs.
🚆 by train
The closest station is Axminster, on the Exeter–London Waterloo line, about 9 miles (14 km) from Beer.
Trains run roughly hourly from Exeter St Davids (35–38 minutes).
From Axminster, catch hourly AVMT or Stagecoach buses (routes 885 or 379) straight into Beer—or pre-book a taxi.
🚌 by bus
Stagecoach South West operates the 9A bus hourly from Exeter Bus Station to Beer Sea Front—journey takes 1 hr 34 min, fares between £2–4.
From Axminster Station, route 379 runs Sundays and bank holidays (three times daily) connecting with trains; standard fare £3 or £1 with a valid rail ticket.
Local AVMT services (routes 885 and 899) link Beer with Seaton, Sidmouth and Colyton.
🚶 on foot from bus stops
Most services drop you near Pecorama, a 4‑minute walk from Beer’s centre. Alternatively, buses stopping at Beer Cross leave about an 8‑minute walk to the harbour.
Other ratings
Beer has also placed second in Which?’s rankings of Britain’s best seaside destinations – Bamburgh in Northumberland beat Beer in this one.
But while others have climbed the list thanks to glossy developments or new restaurants, Beer has done it by keeping things simple: working boats, fresh fish, and a coast that speaks for itself!
