Hive Beach at Burton Bradstock

Last updated on August 23rd, 2023 at 01:22 pm

Burton Bradstock was on the List of Places to See in Dorset. The National Trust guidebook tempted us to visit the beach which, as you may have gathered, is not called Burton Bradstock at all. Burton Bradstock is a ridiculously pretty looking village and the beach, Hive Beach, is a little farther on. Unfortunately, it was one of those days when we tried to cram too much in; with the tide in, darkness falling and a long drive ahead, we spent far too little time on the beach and no time at all in the village. Which was a pity, because not only did the pubs look very tempting but Burton Bradstock is also home to activist-musician and Bard of Barking, Billy Bragg. Say what you like, but ‘New England’ is a terrific song – particularly the version by the late, great, Kirsty MacColl.

The beach and nearby cliffs were beautiful. As the sun went down, we clambered onto the higher ground in search of alleged views of Chesil Beach, some distance to the east. We passed a typically unattractive caravan park, and 53 dog-walkers, then turned back, time pressing.

It’s a spot we need to return to – when the tide is out. I’ve yet to find a stretch of the southern England’s Jurassic Coast that doesn’t appeal. Gorgeous scenery, good coastal walks, nice beaches, opportunities for fossil-hunting, tales of smugglers and quaint villages – though some of the towns can be a bit tacky.

But Hive Beach has its own USPs. For starters (and possibly a main course too), the buzzy Hive Beach Café, where we stopped for a mere plebeian coffee, looks like a place to be; a trendy beachside eatery with aspirations. Perched above the seashore with a kind of temporary feeling about its construction, the menu nevertheless looks appealing, the crowds were starting to drift in as we drifted out and I gather it has won awards.

Slightly more interesting, though less nourishing, Hive Beach and its nearby cliffs were used by both British Commandos and US Rangers for training purposes during World War Two. The coast hereabouts has similarities to parts of Normandy and there is some fascinating film footage showing American troops scaling the cliffs. So many didn’t make it back. This story featured in the BBC’s first-rate TV series Coast – checkout the YouTube clip below.

Just east from Hive Beach, near West Bexington, the remains of a B-17 Flying Fortress lie on the seabed a little off-shore. Better known as ‘the Abbotsbury Bomber’, I haven’t been able to track down much about it, except that the aircraft apparently crash-landed after a raid and the crew survived.

One final essential piece of information before you visit Hive Beach is that spider crabs conglomerate in huge numbers for mating just off the shore – I imagine a kind of Saturday Night at the Palais for crustaceans.

I’ll leave you with a bit of Kirsty MacColl singing Billy Bragg’s ‘New England’ and a final view of the beach.

Go to A Bit About Britain’s directory and discover other places to visit in Britain.

What do people say

NatG on Britain’s most haunted placesInteresting. My parents have often told us about an encounter some 50 plus years ago at Markenfield Hall when the hall was uninhabited and a key could be borrowed to look around it. My dad wanted to look at it as part of a project he was doing for a
grandmisadventures on Coventry’s Blitz and CathedralI love places like this that still show the remains of such a beautiful building.
marmeladegypsy on Coventry’s Blitz and CathedralThis is magnificent, Mike. I think most of us who have read about WWII know the basics of what happened to Coventry, but not with the detail and visuals you shared here. And like you, I'm not a fan of modern churches, but from the first photos you shared, I
edgrant22 on Coventry’s Blitz and CathedralA powerful and moving piece about Coventry. I am now inspired to visit the city which will be a first for me. Thank you Edward
Lisa G. on Coventry’s Blitz and CathedralWhat a tragic tale, Mike. So much destruction, not to mention the terror! I tried imagining being at home, or even not at home, but enduring the fear, the noise, the uncertainty. Hour after hour.
notesoflifeuk on Coventry’s Blitz and CathedralI went to an event there some years ago. I really must visit again one day.
Helen Devries on Coventry’s Blitz and CathedralWhat you said about the blitz spirit echoes what my mother said about the raids on Southampton, where she accompanied her friend to try to salvage what they could from her friend's mother's house in the immediate aftermath. Their uniforms got them through the wardens and they were into a
Jennie on Coventry’s Blitz and CathedralJust wow!!
marmeladegypsy on The Witches of PendleAfter our election, I'm beginning to think that the darker times are definitely back! On another note, Rick and I took your advice and visited The Two Chairman when we were seeking a London pub in Westminster. Your recommendation was a good one -- we loved it! And probably wouldn't
Jenny Woolf on The cockatrice of Renwick and other talesHi Mike, I wrote a comment on Kirkoswald, not sure if it got through! :)

Anne Clare

16th April 2018 at 03:57

Those layered cliffs are absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for including the video clip as well- what an interesting bit of history!