Coasting Along — by gattogirl

Coasting Along

In this hot hot heat who needs to leave the comforts of Britain and brave crowded beaches in Europe. The other week during the crazy heatwave we were lucky enough to escape the tropics of London to the UK coastline. We visited Lyme Regis, Beer (yes, we drank beer too but this was one of my most favourite places and not just because I like beer), Mousehole (yes, I love the name and that is not the only reason to love it) and it is pronounced ms-all just for the record, St Ives and then back to Dorset inland in Hinton St Mary.

For this particular piece I am going to write about the Jurassic coast with our stays in Lyme Regis and the visit to Beer.

Early birds to Charmouth beach. Bring a hammer and look for fossils!

Lyme Regis was a complete surprise for me. I choose this as the half way mark and didn’t know much about except that it would be a quick drive to the Hive Café and I HAD to go there again. We stayed at an air bnb, it can be pricey here in the summer but you really only need a day or 2. We stayed up the hill and one thing I like is that I go my daily steps in! The views from the hilltop are spectacular and there is a nice garden that has many benches to sit on that is worth the climb for. Hix Oyster and Fish House is beside the park should you want to eat and enjoy the view. A day at Chamworth beach with a hammer to fossil search is fun and you can also try to find some beach glass. The charity shops here were awesome and I had to pry myself away from the tat as my husband calls it.

Let’s talk about the Hive Cafe. This is the place seafood overs dream of! Its is nestled on the beach at Burton Bradstock, the Jurassic coast is a National Trust area and if you are a member you get free parking, if not you can pay and there is plenty of parking. As you approach the beach you will more than likely see a long queue and it is worth the wait! I had the small crab, note that I had the small and it came with 2 medium Dorset crabs, salad and bread. I can NEVER finish it. It is beyond indulgent as are the fish and chips. Tough decision to make if you only have one visit here. The local beer is also worth a go!

Speaking of beer, Beer in Devon was the next visit for us and sadly just for the day. After seeing this place on tele as it was voted in the short list for Village of the Year 2018 I needed to go. This indeed was a total gem on the holiday. As we didn’t stay here I am not too sure on accommodation but it is small so I would book well in advance. As you get to the beach and look towards the blue sea through the deck chairs the only way you know you are not in the med is the pebble beach. Otherwise the water, the chairs and the wee boats ferrying people in and out look just like the coast of Italy. We enjoyed sitting on the beach, but first before it was too hot we climbed Beer head. It is an easy hike and you really get spectacular views of Beer and beyond. The Cliffside’s look like a Grecian island with its emerald green and blue sea borders. Very inviting after hiking in the heat! After your climb its time to relax on a a deck chair, a bargain at £2 or you can use a blanket or your own chairs, there is plenty of room. There is a cafe and it was not too busy despite being the school break. I will go back here for sure and I would like to stay for a few nights as I think that this was a total find.

My photographer husband heading for the best view of Beer Beach

Next travel story I will be writing about charming Mousehole and St Ives! I am already planning to get back there next summer for more than a week. I can’t believe it took me 10 years to get to these places!