Lee, Ilfracombe, EX34 8LW
Lee Bay is one of those rare places that feels genuinely hidden away from the world, a small and deeply charming cove tucked into the cliffs between Ilfracombe and Morte Point that rewards the short walk down to it with a level of peace and natural beauty that is increasingly hard to find. for you with dogs, it represents one of the most pleasant and accessible coastal walks in the area, with a well-made path from the village of Lee leading down through wooded combes and along a stream to the shingle and rock beach at the foot of the cliffs.
The village of Lee itself is worth pausing to appreciate before heading down to the beach. The cluster of thatched cottages gathered around the narrow valley bottom has a timeless quality that feels completely at odds with the twenty-first century, and the pub that sits at the heart of the village is one of those genuinely welcoming places where muddy boots and wet dogs are entirely unremarkable.
The path down from the village follows the course of a small stream through a wooded valley, with the sound of water and birdsong accompanying the descent to the sea. In spring, the banks of the stream are alive with wildflowers, and the sheltered character of the valley means the vegetation here is noticeably lusher and more varied than on the more exposed clifftops above.
At the beach, dogs can run freely on the shingle and explore the rock pools that are revealed at low tide. The cove is naturally sheltered and the water here can be remarkably clear on calm days, with excellent snorkelling accessible to confident swimmers.
The return walk back up through the village to the car park takes only around twenty minutes and is suitable for most fitness levels. Lee Bay is one of those North Devon gems that gets better with every visit.
