Britannia @ The Beach
Beesands, Kingsbridge, TQ7 2EH
Member Overview
Fantastically Fresh Local Seafood on the Shingle of Start Bay
Britannia @ The Beach, affectionately known as “The Shack”, is a much‑loved beachside seafood café, restaurant and takeaway located directly on the shingle shore at Beesands, between Torcross and historic Hallsands in the South Hams. Celebrated for its exceptionally fresh local seafood, the Shack offers one of Devon’s most authentic “boat‑to‑plate” dining experiences, with the South West Coast Path passing right by the front door.
From Fishing Family to Coastal Icon
Britannia @ The Beach was created by local fishing family Nick and Anita Hutchings as a natural extension of their work with Britannia Shellfish Ltd. The building was originally used as a bait store and later as the operational base for their fishing business before evolving into a café‑restaurant in the mid‑1990s.
The Hutchings family has been connected to Beesands’ fishing industry for over 40 years, and today still supplies much of the seafood served at the Shack—ensuring freshness that few coastal restaurants can match.
Seafood at Its Absolute Best
The menu at Britannia @ The Beach changes regularly depending on the catch, but always celebrates simple, flavour‑forward cooking that lets exceptional seafood shine. Expect:
- Whole Start Bay crab and lobster
- Freshly landed scallops, mussels and squid
- Classic fish & chips enjoyed beachside
- Daily seafood specials and sharing platters
- Light seasonal dishes inspired by global flavours
Everything is cooked to order and served either in the rustic café‑restaurant or through the popular takeaway hatch, ideal for walkers and beach‑goers.
A Relaxed, Rustic Dining Experience
Rebuilt after severe winter storms in 2014 and 2018, the Shack now offers a more robust structure while retaining its informal, characterful charm. Diners enjoy:
- Seating just metres from the sea
- Superb views across Start Bay
- A dog‑friendly welcome for well‑behaved pets
- A casual atmosphere suited to lunches, dinners or quick seaside takeaways
The venue is fully licensed and no longer BYOB. Free parking nearby.
Rooted in Devon, Focused on Local
As proud members of Food Drink Devon, Britannia @ The Beach prioritises sourcing from local and Devon‑based producers wherever possible—especially within the South Hams—supporting the region’s food and fishing communities.
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Britannia @ The Beach | Beesands seafood | Start Bay restaurant | Devon beachside café | South Hams seafood restaurant | Beesands fish restaurant | fresh local seafood restaurant in Beesands Devon | beachside seafood café Start Bay | dog friendly coastal restaurant South Hams | seafood takeaway Beesands | boat to plate seafood Devon
Where to find us