West Bay to Hive Beach Walk

2.5 miles (4 km)

This walk takes you from West Bay to Hive Beach near Burton Bradstock on the Dorset coast. It's about a 2.5 mile walk from the West Bay car park to the lovely beach.
The route follows a scenic section of the Jurassic Coast, passing beneath the distinctive golden cliffs of East Cliff and Freshwater Beach.... West Bay is well known for its striking sandstone cliffs, historic harbour and its appearance in the television series Broadchurch, making it one of the most recognisable coastal locations in Dorset.
Leaving West Bay, the path runs east along the shoreline with expansive views across Lyme Bay. The cliffs here reveal layers of sandstone and clay formed millions of years ago, while the foreshore is backed by coastal grassland that supports wildflowers and butterflies during the warmer months. Seabirds are commonly seen offshore, including gulls, cormorants and occasionally peregrine falcons along the cliff edges.
Approaching Burton Bradstock, the route passes above Hive Beach, one of the most popular beaches on this stretch of coast. Backed by low cliffs and the gently sloping Bride Valley, the beach is known for its clear waters, fossil-rich shoreline and wide sandy expanse at low tide. The area is also part of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering some of the finest coastal scenery in southern England.
Hive Beach itself is managed by the National Trust and provides an excellent finishing point for the walk, with a café, beach access and views back along the dramatic Jurassic Coast cliffs towards West Bay.