Winter walks: Cogdean Beach Near Burton Bradstock, Dorset

Located at the western end of the 27-kilometre, 100 million-ton pebble bank that is Chesil Beach, Cogden Beach has an unusual combination of seclusion and easy accessibility. Its lack of visitors could be due to the award-winning Hive Beach Café at next-door Burton Bradstock luring the crowds away but, whatever the reason, the handful of ramblers and anglers that do stroll its stony shore certainly don’t complain. Views to the east are of the Isle of Portland and, on a clear day, you can see as far as the cliffs of Budleigh Salterton to the west. Our short suggested walk takes in some of Dorset’s most dramatic coastal scenery and one of the UK’s best seafood stops en route to the overhanging Burton Cliff, which is gradually
dissolving into the sea.

Getting there
Head west on the A35 out of Bridport towards Honiton, then turn onto the B3157. Drive through Burton Bradstock and past the turning for Hive Beach, then turn right into the car park after a couple of kilometres. Charges vary, depending on the length of stay.

Walk grade: Easy

Distance: 2.5 miles

Time: 1 hour

To arrive at the walk’s starting point, drive through Burton Bradstock and past the turning for Hive Beach, then turn right into the car park after a mile or so.

Walk through the gate at the bottom of the car park and go downhill for a few minutes to Cogden Beach.

To continue with our suggested route, turn right and walk along the headland to Hive Beach, passing through a section of holiday park.

Go down the hill to the beach – making sure you stop for a drink or some fabulous fresh seafood at the Hive Beach Café – then continue along the path on the other side until you reach Burton Cliff.

To return, retrace your steps either along the headland or the beach.

The beach

Seclusion: 4

Sand: 3

Rockpools and caves: 1

Swimming: 1

Ebb & flow
Tides don’t change the beach too much. The flat, upper part of the beach, which supports several rare plants and flowers, is a perfect place to picnic. But be careful of the beach’s steep shelf, which drops off quickly into deep water awash with very strong currents.

OS Map beach ref
SY 502,881

Car park postcode
DT6 4RL

The pitstop
The Hive Beach Café, overlooking the sea just outside Burton Bradstock, is one of the UK’s most fêted seafood destinations for good reason. The dishes served up in its ramshackle marquee-like dining spaces depend entirely on the catch that’s been landed by local fishermen that day. Oh, and the expertise of the skilled young chefs who wield knives and pans behind its glass-fronted, fresh-fish counter. It’s remarkably unpretentious, too. Those pairing line-caught Portland Bill seabass with a bottle of chilled champagne are treated no differently to those who’ve popped in for a cup of tea and a crab sandwich. It’s simply one of the best food stops in southern England.
Hive Beach Café, Beach Road, Burton Bradstock, Dorset DT6 4RF (01308 897070; www.hivebeachcafe.co.uk)

This walk is taken from 'Secret Beaches Southwest – 50 Short Walks to Secluded Shores' by Rob Smith (One More Grain Of Sand). The book is available at www.secretbeaches.co.uk, at £14.95 (including p&p).