About This Place

This long stretch of pebble beach, set at the foot of dramatic 400ft cliffs, lies just to the west of Beer Head. Joining up with Branscombe beach to the west, this is probably the easiest way to access Hooken beach. Alternatively you can walk along the coast path from Beer. --> Hooken Cliffs are widely regarded as one of the best spots for fossil hunting in Devon with fish, ammonites and brachiopods all regularly found here. However, as with many such sites the cliffs are unstable so car is needed. The backdrop to the beach is the Hooken Undercliff. This is where the chalk cliff has in effect split into two distinct levels. Caused by a massive landslide in 1790 a 10 acre tract of land separated and slid 200 feet down the cliffs virtually in one piece. Today this forms a sheltered wooded area with chalk pinnacles and a cave. It is said this cave was used by the notorious smuggler Jack Rattenbury to store contraband in.

💡 Our Take

Looking for a proper doggy adventure? Hooken Beach in Devon is calling! We love that it welcomes dogs all year round, so every season can be a paw-some beach day. The sand's great for digging, perfect for energetic pups! Parking can be tricky, so arrive early, and remember the nearest facilities are a bit of a trek. Swim safety can vary – always check the tide and currents, especially for smaller dogs. Best for dogs who love a good run and aren't bothered by shingle later in the day. A proper gem!