Hole Mill is a dog-friendly cottage and Branscombe is a properly dog-friendly village. The South West Coast Path is open to dogs along its entire local length; Branscombe Mouth allows dogs on the beach all year; the local pubs (The Mason's Arms and The Fountain Head) both welcome them; and there are at least seven good walks of varying lengths starting within five minutes of the front door. This is the practical guide for guests bringing dogs.
Hole Mill itself
We allow up to two well-behaved dogs by prior arrangement, with a small additional charge per stay. Dogs are welcome in all the downstairs rooms but should not be on beds or upstairs furniture. There is enclosed parking, a fully fenced garden where dogs can be off-lead, an outdoor tap and towels for muddy paws, and a dog-washing area at the back of the mill. Most guests bring their own bedding, but we have a few spare beds if you forget.
The seven best dog walks from Hole Mill
1. The Branscombe Valley loop (1 km, 20 minutes)
The shortest walk from the front door — out onto the lane, down past the watercress beds, across the village green and back via the church. Suitable for old dogs, puppies, or for a last stretch before bed. Mostly on lane and footpath, almost no climbs.
2. The Branscombe to Branscombe Mouth walk (1.5 miles each way, 30-40 minutes each way)
Walk down the valley road from Hole Mill toward the sea, passing the National Trust Old Bakery tea rooms (dogs welcome in the garden) and the Forge (working blacksmith, dogs welcome). The road becomes a footpath and emerges at Branscombe Mouth. Dogs allowed on the beach all year; The Sea Shanty café is dog-friendly.
3. Hooken Cliffs and the Hooken Landslip (3-4 miles round trip)
A spectacular walk along the South West Coast Path east of Branscombe Mouth. The cliffs are steep — keep dogs on a lead in the open clifftop sections — but once you drop into the Hooken Landslip the path is sheltered and shaded by woodland. Dogs love the smells. Allow two hours. See our Branscombe-to-Beer walk guide for step-by-step detail.
4. Branscombe to Beer (3 miles each way)
The full coastal walk to Beer. Beer's main beach has a seasonal dog ban (1 May to 30 September) but the village itself, the slipway and the South West Coast Path are dog-friendly all year. The Anchor Inn beer garden welcomes dogs. Take the bus back from Beer to Branscombe Cross to save your dog's legs.
5. The Fountain Head loop (3 miles, 90 minutes)
Out from Hole Mill, up the lane to the church, then up the steep climb through the village to The Fountain Head at the top of the valley — a 14th-century pub with stone floors and dogs absolutely welcome (water bowls and dog biscuits behind the bar). Stop for a pint and a bowl of water, then walk back down via the field paths. The whole loop is on quiet lanes and bridleways.
6. Weston Combe and Weston Mouth (4 miles, 2 hours)
Walk west from Hole Mill along the country lane, up onto Coxe's Cliff, then down through Weston Combe to Weston Mouth — a small undeveloped pebble cove with a stream. Dogs allowed all year. No facilities at the cove (no café, no loos), so bring your own water. The walk back is uphill and steady. A brilliant walk for a dog who likes water; the stream and the sea will both wash off the day's mud.
7. The big circular: Branscombe to Sidmouth and back (10 miles, 4-5 hours)
For experienced walkers and fit dogs. Out from Hole Mill, up onto the South West Coast Path, west toward Sidmouth via Weston Mouth and Salcombe Mouth, then back via the inland route over Salcombe Hill. Long, hilly, properly satisfying. Pack two water bottles per dog.
Local beaches and the dog rules
- Branscombe Mouth: dogs allowed all year, on or off the lead. The most dog-friendly local beach.
- Weston Mouth: dogs allowed all year. Quiet and undeveloped.
- Beer Beach: dogs banned 1 May - 30 September on the main town beach. Allowed on the slipway and the western end year-round.
- Sidmouth: dogs banned on the main town beach 1 May - 30 September. Allowed on Jacob's Ladder beach (western end) all year.
- Seaton: dogs banned on the central section of the beach 1 May - 30 September. Allowed at the eastern and western ends year-round.
- Lyme Regis: dogs banned on the central section of Front Beach 1 May - 30 September. Allowed on Monmouth Beach (west of the Cobb) all year.
- Budleigh Salterton: dogs allowed all year — unusually generous for a town beach.
- Charmouth: dogs allowed all year on the main beach.
Dog-friendly local pubs
- The Mason's Arms (Branscombe) — dogs welcome in the bar, the snug and the garden. Water bowls provided.
- The Fountain Head (top of Branscombe valley) — dogs welcome throughout, including the upstairs dining room.
- The Anchor Inn (Beer) — dogs welcome in the bar and the lower beer garden.
- Beer Quarry Caves (just inland from Beer) — dogs allowed on the tour, with caveats.
- Otterton Mill café (Otterton, on the River Otter walk) — dogs welcome in the courtyard.
Dog-friendly cafés and tea rooms
- The Old Bakery (Branscombe, National Trust) — dogs welcome in the garden.
- The Sea Shanty (Branscombe Mouth) — dogs welcome in the outside seating.
- The Forge tea garden (Branscombe) — dogs welcome.
- Otterton Mill (Otterton) — dogs welcome in the courtyard café.
Practical tips
- Keep dogs on a lead near cliff edges. The sheep on the surrounding fields are a real consideration; livestock attacks are one of the few things that get walkers banned from a path.
- Bring poo bags. Dispose of them in the public bins at Branscombe Mouth, the village or back at Hole Mill (we have a dog waste bin).
- After a beach walk, rinse your dog at the outdoor tap before they come into the cottage. We have spare towels and a dog-washing area at the back of the mill.
- After cliff walks, check for ticks. Sheep ticks are common in this part of Devon, especially in May-September.
- In hot weather, do not leave dogs in cars even with windows open — temperatures rise dangerously fast.
Branscombe is a properly dog-friendly base. With seven walks within easy reach of the front door and an unusual number of dog-friendly pubs and cafés, this corner of East Devon is very hard to beat. Check our availability for your dates and let us know in advance if you are bringing dogs.