Guides & Editorial
Devon, written from the doorstep
Long-form local guides to walks, beaches, towns and the Jurassic Coast.
Featured guides
Nature
Wild Swimming the River Dart: A Complete Walking and Swimming Guide
Discover the River Dart's crystal-clear pools and ancient woodlands on this spectacular day trip from Hole Mill. Perfect for wild swimming enthusiasts and adventurous walkers.
Food & Drink
Events & Festivals Near Branscombe — A Year-Round Guide
Sidmouth FolkWeek, the Dawlish Air Show, Beer Regatta, the Ottery Tar Barrels, Budleigh's literary festival and the Mason's Arms spit roasts — the events worth planning a Devon stay around.
Food & Drink
The Jurassic Sauna, Branscombe Beach
The wood-fired beach sauna ten minutes' walk from Hole Mill — what to expect, when to book, what to bring, and why winter sessions are the best.
Food & Drink
The Best Pubs Near Branscombe — A Local's Guide
The Mason's Arms, The Fountain Head, The Pig at Combe, The Salty Monk and the wider local circuit — honest notes on the pubs we actually recommend.
Nature
Wild Swimming in Devon: Our Organic Pond and the Best Spots Nearby
From our chemical-free swimming pond to the chalk-bottomed sea at Branscombe and the red sandstone stacks at Ladram Bay — six of the best wild swimming spots within easy reach of Hole Mill, plus the safety notes that matter.
Walks & Outdoor
Coastal hikes, dog-friendly routes and South West Coast Path guides from the door of Hole Mill.
Walks
·Editor's pickThe Best Walks from Branscombe — A Complete Guide
Seven walks from the door of Hole Mill — from a 1 km stroll to the Fountain Head pub to the full 10 km Beer Head coastal loop. Where to go, what to take, and where to stop for lunch.
Walks
The River Otter Walk — And How to Spot Wild Beavers
The only river in England with established wild beavers — where to find them, when to look, what to bring. The complete practical guide to the Otterton-to-Budleigh riverside walk.
Walks
Dog-Friendly Walks Near Branscombe
Seven walks from Hole Mill's door, the local dog rules on every East Devon beach, and the dog-friendly pubs and cafés along the route. The complete dog-walking guide for Branscombe and the surrounding coast.
Walks
Walking the South West Coast Path: Sidmouth to Seaton
The 10-mile route via Branscombe — three geological eras, four coves, the Hooken Landslip and Beer Head. Practical step-by-step guide with distances, difficulty, and where to stop.
Walks
The Branscombe to Beer Coastal Walk — Everything You Need to Know
A step-by-step practical guide to the most spectacular short coastal walk in East Devon — three miles of chalk cliffs, the Hooken Landslip, and a fishing village pub at the end.
Towns & Villages
What to see, eat and do in Branscombe and the towns within easy reach — Sidmouth, Seaton, Beer, Lyme Regis.
Towns
A Day in Honiton — Antiques, Lace and Devon Market Town Life
The antiques shops, the Tuesday market, the Allhallows lace museum and the long broad high street — what to do in Honiton, the inland market town fifteen minutes from Hole Mill.
Towns
A Guide to Colyton — Devon's Most Rebellious Town
The Monmouth Rebellion history, the cobbled streets, the medieval church and the heritage tramway from Seaton — what to do in Colyton, the small market town with the biggest rebellious streak in Devon.
Towns
A Complete Guide to Budleigh Salterton
The long pebble beach, the Fairlynch Museum, the Otter estuary nature reserve and the riverside walk to Otterton — what to do in Budleigh Salterton, the quietest town on the East Devon coast.
Towns
A Complete Guide to Lyme Regis
Fossil hunting, the Cobb, the Lyme Regis Museum, Dinosaurland and the Town Mill — what to do in Lyme Regis, the most-visited town on the Jurassic Coast, twenty-five minutes from Hole Mill.
Towns
A Complete Guide to Beer, Devon
The chalk cliffs, the working fishing fleet, the underground Beer Quarry Caves that built Exeter Cathedral, the boat trips and the walk to Branscombe — what to do in Beer, the working fishing village four miles from Hole Mill.
Towns
A Complete Guide to Seaton, Devon
The heritage tramway, the Axe Estuary Wetlands, the Jurassic Coast visitor centre and a long shingle beach — what to do in Seaton, the gateway town to the Jurassic Coast, fifteen minutes from Hole Mill.
Towns
A Complete Guide to Sidmouth, Devon
Regency seafront, the Connaught Gardens, Jacob's Ladder beach, an intact independent high street and the legendary Folk Festival — everything to do in Sidmouth, the most elegant town on the East Devon coast.
Jurassic Coast & Nature
Fossil hunting, wild swimming, beaches, beavers and the geology of the Jurassic Coast.
Nature
The Best Beaches in East Devon
Seven beaches within easy reach of Hole Mill — from our local pebble cove to the red sandstone sea stacks at Ladram Bay and the fossil shores of Charmouth. Where to swim, where to walk, where to fossil-hunt.
Nature
A Visit to The Donkey Sanctuary — What to Expect
The 200-acre rescue sanctuary on the cliffs above Branscombe — what to see, where to eat, opening times and how to combine it with a coastal walk. A genuinely lovely free day out.
Nature
Birdwatching at Seaton Wetlands and the Axe Estuary
Avocets, spoonbills, hobbies, wintering ducks and bearded reedlings — what to see at the best birdwatching site in East Devon, with seasonal tips and a full hide guide.
Nature
The Seaton Tramway — A Complete Visitor Guide
The three-mile heritage tramway from Seaton to Colyton — what to expect, opening times, prices, the best times to ride and what to combine it with on a day out from Hole Mill.
Nature
Beer Quarry Caves — Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit
The 75-acre underground stone quarry that built Exeter Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and St Paul's — practical visitor guide to one of East Devon's most surprising attractions.
Nature
The Jurassic Coast Explained — 185 Million Years in Plain English
From red Triassic desert at Exmouth to Cretaceous chalk at Beer and Jurassic shale at Lyme Regis — a plain-English guide to the geology of England's most famous coastline.
Nature
Beginner's Guide to Fossil Hunting on the Jurassic Coast
Where to go, what to look for, the best tides, the legal rules and the guided walks worth booking — the complete beginner's guide to fossil hunting at Charmouth and Lyme Regis.
Nature
Natural Swimming Ponds — How Ours Was Built (with David Pagan Butler)
What a natural swimming pond actually is, how the biology keeps the water clear, and the story of how the Hole Mill organic pond was designed and built with help from David Pagan Butler.
Food, Drink & Experiences
The best pubs, restaurants, cream teas and local experiences within a short drive of Hole Mill.
Food & Drink
Devon Cream Tea — The Best Places Near Branscombe
What a proper Devon cream tea is, where to find the best near Branscombe, the cream-first vs jam-first question — and how to do a perfect cream-tea afternoon from Hole Mill.
Food & Drink
Fresh Seafood in East Devon — Where to Find the Best
Lyme Bay crab, scallops, mackerel and the local fishing fleet — where to eat the best East Devon seafood and where to buy it to cook at home.
Food & Drink
Where to Eat Near Branscombe — From Beach Cafés to Fine Dining
Beach cafés, smart gastropubs, fine dining and the destination Sunday lunches — the practical local's guide to where to eat near Branscombe and Hole Mill.
Groups, Families & Occasions
Planning a large group holiday, hen weekend, family reunion or private celebration in Devon.
Groups
Things to Do in Exeter with the Family — A Day-Out Guide
A family day in Exeter from Hole Mill — the free RAMM museum, the medieval Underground Passages, the cathedral, the quayside and Crealy Theme Park, with a rain-or-shine plan.
Groups
Planning a Private Celebration in Devon
Practical lessons from running a private celebration venue in East Devon — choosing the format, catering, dealing with day guests, music and noise restrictions, and what your guests actually want versus what you assume they expect.
Groups
Planning a Yoga or Wellness Retreat in Devon
Why East Devon works for a small-group retreat, what to look for in a venue, a sample 4-night schedule, catering options and practical tips for retreat leaders.
Groups
Family Holiday in East Devon — The Complete Planner
A week-long East Devon family itinerary for ages 4-14, plus the best activities by age, wet-day plans and practical tips. From a base in Branscombe.
Groups
The Ultimate Hen Party Guide to East Devon
A two-night hen weekend at a private Devon cottage that sleeps 12+ — activities, food, logistics, and how to organise it without the usual chaos. The complete planner.
Groups
Large Group Holiday Cottages in Devon: What to Look For
Booking somewhere for ten or twelve people is not the same as booking somewhere for two. Ten things we have learned from running Hole Mill as a 12-guest cottage in Devon — and the questions to ask before you book anywhere.
History & Culture
Local history, hidden corners and the stories behind the villages of East Devon.
History
Ottery St Mary — The Town That Sets Itself on Fire
The Tar Barrels Festival on the 5th November, plus the parish church (a miniature Exeter Cathedral), the River Otter walks and a complete guide to one of Devon's most extraordinary day trips.
History
Branscombe Village — History, Hidden Gems and What to See
The longest village in England, the National Trust forge, the working bakery, the medieval church and the dramatic geology of Branscombe Mouth — a complete local's guide.
History
A History of the Branscombe Valley — Hole House, Hole Mill, the Forge, and 1,300 Years of a Devon Village
The deep history of Branscombe valley — the Saxon origins, the medieval mill and the Forge, the smuggling era, the National Trust years and the story of Hole House and Hole Mill in the lower valley.
Staying nearby?
A beautifully restored 350-year-old water mill in Branscombe, Devon. Organic swimming pond, wood-fired hot tub, 2 private acres. Sleeps 12+.
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