Beer comes from the Old English word 'Bere' or 'Beare', meaning 'Woodland'. Beer in East Devon is a quiet fishing village in a small bay protected by white chalk cliffs. The main street has two small brooks, running down either side of the road. Nearby, Beer Head has the western-most chalk cliffs on the channel coast.

History of Beer, Devon

Beer was once notorious for smugglers such as Devon's most famous, Jack Rattenbury who was born in Beer in 1778 and married a woman from Lyme Regis. But Beer also gained a reputation for its brave and hardy seamen.

Beer's womenfolk were fine lacemakers which would then be taken to Honiton, a famous home for lace since Elizabethan times. Queen Victoria's lace wedding flounce was made at Beer in 1839, costing £1,000. To avoid copies, the design was destroyed after completion.

Quarrying in Beer for white stone goes back to Roman times and continued until the beginning of the 20th Century. The white quarried stone was very fashionable for buildings and included Exeter and Winchester Cathedrals.

Branscombe, Devon

Branscombe in East Devon is to the west of Beer and is an unspoilt village of charm and character. Cottages of cob and thatch line what is claimed to be the longest village in the country which widens through a combe towards the sea.

The South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path enters Beer, East Devon, from the east, then out again before the slipway down to the beach and off to the west. The path passes over Beer Head before decending into Branscombe. Off again to the west, over more cliff and on to Sidmouth.

Good Beach Guide

Beer, Devon...The sea water quality is rated as having passed the EC Mandatory Standard.