There is just no place better than Lee Bay for rock pooling and adventuring!
Lee Bay is around 15-20 mins drive from Pickwell on the way to Ilfracombe. It is a windy and steep drive once off the main road that takes you through the village of Lee right to the "beach". Car parking is free but can get very busy on hot days so best to go early or later in the afternoon.
Once there almost every rock pool you delve into will be hiding crabs, shrimps or fish... sometimes you have to route around but there are plenty to find! The nice thing is that the left hand side of the bay is flat and safe for little ones to explore.
To make the most of the rocks its best to go at least 2 hours either side of high tide and if you go at low tide you can do an easy scramble over the rocks to a beautiful secluded beach.
The beach has hidden caves to explore and becomes a real sun trap... just be careful not to get cut off by the tide if you want to leave!
Given the rocks and the seaweed it is a great place to do a quick 2 minute beach clean and help keep the plastic out of the ocean.
A round up:
Distance: 15 - 20 minutes drive towards Ilfracombe
Parking: Free but limited
Facilities: Toilet block behind car park (very basic!)
Cafe on sea front open weekends and during school holidays serving cake, coffee, ice- cream, light bites etc.
Slipway perfect for launching kayaks & SUP's
Lots of rocks for traditional fishing and endless rock pools
Top Tips:
Make use of our surf store and the fishing nets, buckets and spades.
Take a blanket to sit on as it is shingle not sand
Make sure you check tide times
Stop at the Lee Meadow Farm Shop at the top of the hill on the way home for amazing local farm produce (and brownies!)