The Hooken Undercliff.
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View Through the Hooken Undercliff. in a larger map
The Walk.
On the path over Hooken Cliff, between Beer Head and the Old Coastguard Lookout, there is a signpost pointing to the start of the path downwards into the Undercliff.
This path is not for those who do not like heights as is very steep at the start and right on the edge of the cliff. There are many steps, going down into the undercliff is easy, coming back up is another matter.
Once down into the Undercliff the path winds through the undergrowth to the beach. From this point you can either walk along the beach or follow the path along the edge of the undercliff to Branscombe Mouth.
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Walk Details
- Distance: 1¼ miles.
- Time: ¾ hours.
- Height Range: Sea level to 120 metres.
- Path: Uphill, strenuous and demanding.
- Hills: steep.
Hooken Undercliff.
The Hooken Undercliff is on the cliff route between Beer and Branscombe. A slump in the Chalk cliffs in 1790 separated a 10-acre (40,000 m2) tract of land, now a wooded and sheltered habitat with chalk pinnacles on the seaward side.
On the walk from Beer to Branscombe Mouth, it is possible to vary the route by taking the path down Hooken Cliff into the Undercliff and along the edge of the Undercliff to Branscombe Mouth.
The path splits at a signpost on the cliff top between Beer Head and the Old Coast Guard Lookout. The path down into the Undercliff is very steep and made up of many steps. The Grizzly runners, run up these steps referring to them as the "stairway to heaven".
When you get to edge of the undercliff on the beach, you can either walk along the beach or take the path along the edge of the Undercliff to Branscombe Mouth. Once at Branscombe Mouth, you can vary the return to Beer by walking up Hooken Cliff.
This cliff top walk has been featured as one of the 'Sunday Times' top ten walks in England. On a clear day, the views across Lyme Bay are spectacular with a blue sea bounded by the red Triassic Devon cliffs and the dramatic Hooken Undercliff.
When you reach Branscombe Mouth you will find the ‘Pay & Display’ Car Park, Sea Shanty and Visitor Centre.
Here at the Sea Shanty visitors can buy snacks, drinks and if they wish a full meal.
A sign posted path at the side of the Sea Shanty leads to Branscombe Village. The village is a short way inland and is spread out along a long winding road. There are two Public Houses in the Village, The Masons Arms which is closest to the Coastal Path and the Fountain Head which is at the far end of the Village, both are well worth a visit.