“Baldash Cottage” is a lovely, recently-restored thatched cottage, nestling on the side of a beautiful wooded valley.  It is set amidst acres of natural grounds.  The nearest neighbours are over a quarter-mile away.

Branscombe Village, whose centre is about two miles to the south, is one of the most charming and peaceful villages in this part of England.  This page introduces Branscombe and tells you about places of interest and local services in the immediate area.

Branscombe Village is about two miles to the south, with the beach at Branscombe Mouth about another half mile.  There is a pleasant walk through the woods, down the valley and through the village to the beach.

In the village (open to the public), the National Trust maintain Branscombe Bakery (the last traditional bakery in use in Devon - closed 1987), The Forge (believed to be the only working thatched forge left in the UK) and Manor Mill.  The Mill contains a historic, water-powered mill which has recently been restored by the NT.  It was in commercial use until just before the Second World War to grind wheat, barley and oats for animal feed and baking.

There are Tea Rooms at Branscombe Bakery, offering Devon Cream Teas and other refreshments during the summer months.  Please check with the National Trust for information on opening times.  (Find out more now.)

Up the hill beyond The Forge, you will find the small Village Store, which includes a Post Office counter.

Beyond the Store, on the left, is the Saxon Parish Church.

The Church of St.Winifred in Branscombe Village is said to be one of the most interesting and architecturally important parish churches in Devon - and is also one of the oldest.  The oldest parts of the existing building date from the late Norman period.  The church is located on a level area about two-hundred yards along from the Old Forge.

Notably, for a coastal village, the location makes the church invisible from the sea.  There is speculation that this was to give protection to the community, at a time when pagan Viking raiders roamed the British coast, looking for possible plunder.  (Find out more now.)

The church remains in regular use for services on Sunday and at Christmas and Easter, etc.

Walkers will enjoy the walk through the church yard and up the hill, turning left to descend along the Jurassic Coast cliff top down to Branscombe Mouth.

Half a mile below the village, you will find the beach at Branscombe Mouth, with a wide expanse of mostly shingle to left and to right.  Car parking available (ticket machines).

Overlooking the centre of the beach is a restaurant and snack bar, “The Sea Shanty”.

The coast line to both west and east, overlooking Branscombe Bay, is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The area is in the care of the National Trust.

  Walkers will enjoy the spectacular views from the cliff-top footpaths which start from Branscombe Mouth and pass along the “World Heritage” Jurassic Coastline.

Climbing up from the beach, marked footpaths extend to the west towards Salcombe Regis (4 miles) and Sidmouth (6 miles) - and to the east towards Beer (3 miles) and Seaton (4 miles).

These footpaths form part of the South-West Coast Path.  (Find out more now.)

Branscombe became famous recently following the grounding of the MSC “Napoli”, a 62,000 tonne cargo ship laden with 2,400 containers.  The ship’s hull sustained serious storm damage on 18th January 2007 and was abandoned by its crew.  The ship was beached in Branscombe Bay two days later.  For the next several days, as broken containers washed ashore on Branscombe Beach, the village became notorious for extraordinary scenes as huge number of treasure seekers grabbed everything from boxes of cleaning materials to entire BMW motorbikes, totally blocking the local road system in the process.

Salvage teams worked for the following 18 months to avoid a potential environmental disaster, dismantling and removing the vessel and its cargo, and restoring the beach to its former pristine state.

In recognition of the patience and fortitude of local people, the vessel owners presented the village with the ship’s anchor, which is now on permanent display on the beach at Branscombe Mouth.

Branscombe Airfield is located to the north and west of Branscombe Village.  It is privately owned, with a grass airstrip suitable for light aircraft only.  Air movements are strictly limited and allowed only with previous permission.  (Find out more now.)

The location is only a few minutes by car from “Baldash Cottage”, whose hosts can help with transport for guests arriving and/or departing by air.

Branscombe Village boasts two excellent pubs as well as a beach restaurant and snack bar.

At the western end of the village, about half a mile beyond the church, you will find the “ Fountain Head Inn”, which provides traditional fare and bar snacks.  On the road down to Branscombe Mouth is the “Masons’ Arms”, which offers a range of eating options, from bar snacks, through tradional country dishes, to a restaurant offering fine dining.

At Branscombe Mouth, there is “The Sea Shanty”.  This is a beach restaurant and snack bar offering refreshments and light meals during daylight hours at most times throughout the year.

About 10 minute’s drive from “Baldash Cottage”, at Colyford on the main A3052 road, you will find “The Wheelwright Inn”, a cosy and popular establishment with a friendly atmosphere and serving food daily between 12 noon and 9:30 p.m.