Friday was the most perfect winter day here and I had an extra day off, so it couldn’t be wasted! My friend and I set off heading east with a vague idea of perhaps Lyme Regis or Charmouth. Leaving the A30 at Honiton and taking the A35, a winding, up hill and down dale road passing through little villages, Wilmington, Kilmington and Raymonds Hill. Enjoying the view, high and wide, of east Devon and west Dorset, Golden Cap, a hill and cliff which is the highest on the south coast of England, waiting for me to climb one day.
Something took on us past the Charmouth and Lyme turning, towards Burton Bradstock, ten miles further and passing through we stopped instead at Hive beach which has a National Trust car park and access to the South West Coast Path. Hive is a noisy beach, not human noise but nature’s noise, as the waves crash onto the shore and then rush back down the steeply shelved shingle.
There were quote a few people walking off the seasons excesses on the beach so we thought we would check out the view from the cliff path.
We climbed quite high and Lyme Bay opened up.
At the highest point we looked north towards Bridport.
In the distance stands Colmer Hill, somewhere else I’d like to visit.
Then we circled around common land on the side of the hill.
And retraced our steps.
We had already sampled the Hive Beach Café’s coffee, so we set off to find tea and cake, tomorrow I’ll show you where!
We only had time for a short walk because the daylight was fading fast, but the area deserves some serious hiking, there is so much to see in West Dorset.
Lucid Gypsy 
what fantastic weather you had! i can see that i will need to include England in some future travel plans! how lovely is this. thanks for sharing.
You wouldn’t regret it but make sure you include the best bit!
Hive Beach is new to me, it is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your photographs.
That’s a lovely place to go walking, Gilly. Great views and fresh sea air. 🙂
I love the light on these bright cold days, even when my fingers are freezing inside my gloves. A good café is just the right place to defrost and recharge ready to head out again.
Lovely.
I used to visit this area a lot once…a good few years ago now, havent been that way since… should try though..
It looks amazing Gilly and such a place to find secrets in that warm your heart and your hands.
What beautiful views and, surprisingly, lovely blue sky
We walk with yoy when you go Gilly…
Are beaches dog friendly? Were looking for some where to go for a few days with our Alfie? Where we can show him the sea.
Looks stunning Gilly, and what a mysterious looking hill with the love trees on top….I’m certain something wonderful has happened there at some point!
Lovely place to walk and explore. This sounds exhilarating, as well as inviting. Stunning picture, Gilly. Glad we could tag along with you. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
As you said Gilly, a perfect winters day for those fabulous photos! Will investigate more closely next time we are down that way!
Oh Gilly, this is a beautiful walk, and the light is totally unexpected for an English January – at least what I’ve always imagined to be an English January. And the names resonate, especially Lyme Regis. I enjoyed your description of the “noisy beach” and I can understand why Colmer Hill is an aesthetic Mecca. I love the headland across the shingles and the field patterns around the Hill. Thank you for giving me ocean-and-landscapes on a busy Tuesday morning.
What a lovely walk! Thanks for taking us with you.
Blew away the cobwebs perfectly, Gilly 🙂 Love that first shot down on the beach with the cliffs stretching ahead and the sea racing in. Wonderful! 🙂
It is a beautiful spot, the weather looks like it did on my October visit when I took the same walk along the cliffs! So where exactly do you live Gilly? Near Exeter?
Yes Exeter Jude I’m very lucky, and you, Surrey I imagine?
Is Exeter a nice city? I don’t think I have ever been there except through on the train. I used to live in Surrey, but moved to support the MiL so now in Shropshire which is lovely but so far from the coast.
Oh yes you are a long way fro the sea, is north or south Wales coast closest? Exeter is beautiful, 2000 years old and we can get to the sea in 25 minutes, Dartmoor in 45 and the countryside around is gorgeous. The city has all the usual chain shops of course but some independents too. Apparently we are right up there in the ranks of highest quality of life. And yet wages are low and house prices high. If ever you plan to visit, do it in summer and give me enough warning to be able to book a days leave from work, I’d love to meet you!
A gorgeous part of the world .. you’ve reminded me I should be making a trip down that way sooner rather than later ! Those cliffs are quite something .
Way to be hiking, Gilly. Kudos! And whatta views!