Lee Bay is a gorgeous coastal village, in an Area of National Beauty. It is situated on the stunning, rugged, North Devon coastline in between Woolacombe and Ilfracombe and sits on the South West Coast Path. According to Lee Bay Village’s website, “Lee is often referred to locally as “Fuchsia Valley” during the flowering season, many of the village hedgerows are ablaze with the scarlet flowers.”
When the tide is out you can follow the rocks around to your left for a short distance and you will arrive at a very private beach called Sandy Cove. Sandy Cove is also accessible from the path above, but is quite a trek down on a steep set of stairs. It is just lovely and so tranquil there, so much so, that we were the only people on the beach. You do have to be careful not to get cut off by the tides (it is an arduous climb back up!).
The Lee Bay hotel, minutes from the beach, is closed at the time of writing (and has been for over 12 years). It is therefore becoming quite an eyesore. I’m sure that developers have submitted plans to replace it with a cafe, homes and parking, which would actually be a real shame. It would be nice for it to be renovated and stay as a hotel.
Places to eat in Lee Bay, Devon
There is a little tea shop, very close to the main car park at the bottom of the valley by the cove itself, but the village also has a great pub called The Grampus.
Click on the link to read about The Grampus Inn, Lee Bay.