About
Lee Bay is a small cove west of Ilfracombe on the quieter stretch of National Trust coast between Morte Point and the Ilfracombe Torrs, where the South West Coast Path passes slate cliffs, rocky outcrops and caves once used by smugglers. At low tide the sheltered beach and neighbouring Sandy Cove open up for rock pooling, though both vanish at high tide; then the village of Lee, known as Fuchsia Valley for its flower-lined lanes, offers a church, a seasonal craft gallery and the Grampus pub. The Trust opened a 30-space car park a short walk from the beach in September 2026, with a kiosk to follow in spring 2027. One reviewer's tip: the payment machine is at the far end by the future cafe, and members enter their registration before scanning their card. Dogs are allowed, with no restrictions stated. The three-mile Lee Bay to Bull Point loop climbs from the car park along the coast path to the lighthouse and returns through farmland and woods.
Check today’s timesSee all times
- Lee Bay car park07:00 – 21:00
Opening times may change at short notice.
The National Trust calendar lists the Lee Bay car park as open 07:00 to 21:00 every day to the end of 2026; the beach and coast path are open access.
Public toilets, maintained by the council, are open from Easter to the end of October and over the Christmas and New Year holiday. A kiosk at the car park is due to open in spring 2027.
Lee beach and Sandy Cove are fully covered at high tide; check the tide times the Trust links before planning rock pooling. Uneven surfaces and routes; coast path sections are steep.
Dogs are allowed; the Trust states no lead or seasonal rules for Lee Bay.
Photo: Lee Bay at low tide with the village behind. HARTLEPOOLMARINA2014, CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LEE_DEVON_THE_BAY.JPG. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0. Resized and cropped for display; derivatives retain the source licence.
Dogs at the location: Allowed. Dogs are allowed at Lee Bay; the Trust lists 'Dogs allowed' without any restriction.
Dog walks in the grounds: Allowed. The two circular trails from the car park, to Bull Point and through Borough Valley, are marked dog friendly; free access, parking charges for non-members.
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Walking routes3 routes
Lee Bay to Bull Point circular loop(opens the full route on the National Trust site)
WalkchallengingDog friendly4.8 km distance
