Life’s a Beach

Just a few yards from Exmouth’s seafront and picturesque marina sits The Beach pub, owned by Maisie Dawson. With its spacious main bar serving up traditional homemade pub food, The Beach has a large local following. “We’re very much a locals’ pub. We cater for all dietary requirements and offer a great selection of real ales and fine wines,” explains Maisie. “We’re also dog-friendly, providing treats and snacks every day for our four-legged visitors.”

The Beach’s popularity has soared. “When I took on the pub, there was no need to book for food, whereas today, customers need to reserve in advance. Weekends, in particular, get booked up weeks ahead,” she adds. Similarly with staff numbers, Maisie started with a team of just five, and now has 38 – and she’s still recruiting.

Why do people love this pub so much? What’s her secret? “I have an outstanding team who help me look after our locals, from remembering birthdays to making sure everyone gets home safely. We genuinely care about our customers – their interests, their well-being,” Maisie shares.

The team goes above and beyond to provide the best possible experience for every guest, whether they’re locals or tourists. “We believe it’s important that our visitors walk away after a quick pint or meal with a smile on their faces. My mantra is that every customer should leave wanting to return.”

To engage even more with the local community, Maisie hosts numerous charity events throughout the year and puts on live music every few months. “The Beach is also home to the famous Exmouth Shanty Men, who perform sea shanties once a month and always draw a great crowd.”

The menu features traditional pub food, from burgers to fish and chips, alongside classic Sunday lunches and a variety of seafood dishes made with locally sourced fish and shellfish. Local suppliers include Fish on the Quay, situated right opposite the pub, while meat is sourced from a butcher in Exmouth. “Our king prawn linguine is definitely a favourite,” Maisie adds.

beachpubexmouth.co.uk