Lee Bay

Hidden in a fold of the North Devon cliffs between Ilfracombe and Woolacombe, Lee Bay is one of those rare places that genuinely rewards the effort of finding it. The village of Lee sits in a wooded combe known locally as Fuchsia Valley, named for the wild fuchsia that blazes deep red and purple along the lanes and hedgerows in summer. Walking through it to reach the sea feels like stepping into another world.

The bay itself is small and rocky, with extensive rock pools revealed at low tide that are among the finest in North Devon. They are beautifully varied, home to anemones, crabs, small fish and a whole cast of coastal life that keeps both children and adults completely absorbed. Lee Bay excels for rockpooling in a way that few other beaches can match, and the sheltered, enclosed nature of the cove means little ones can explore with confidence.

The beach is framed by dramatic, imposing cliffs and lies within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which means the views along the coast and out to sea are simply exceptional. Wild swimmers are drawn here for the sheltered nature of the water and the feeling of complete isolation that comes with being in a cove that most people never find.

There is a small car park in the village, and the walk down to the beach passes through lanes so narrow and beautiful that the journey becomes as enjoyable as the destination. A local pub in the village provides a very welcome stop before or after your visit.

Lee Bay does not have the golden sand of Woolacombe or the legendary waves of Croyde. What it has instead is character, wildness and a sense of place that is entirely its own. Visit once and you will be back before you know it.