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East Devon and Budleigh Salterton in particular
offer a very varied choice of walking.
 The
South West Coast Path
The town has immediate access to the South
West Coast Path and many people each year use Budleigh as a convenient
overnight stay in their long distance travels. For the visitor based
in or near the town, very enjoyable day or part day walks can be planned
by using the coast path.
Exmouth via Sandy Bay is about
4.5 miles, and takes you over the high point - 430 feet with spectacular
views down through the fields to the caravan park at Sandy Bay, where
you could enjoy an ice cream or cup of tea, a cooling swim and the pleasures
of sitting on the lovely sands, before setting off again over the cliffs
and dropping down to the end of Exmouth promenade, which will take you
up into the town, from where you can catch a return bus, or plan your
return walk!
The Peace of the River Otter
A more gentle walk can be taken by going up the River Otter, a level
walk of about 2.5 miles, up to the village of Otterton. There are many
spots where you can sit and enjoy the peace, and maybe even see a kingfisher
darting downstream. Otterton is a beautiful little village, well worth
exploring, and has a good selection of pub and teashops etc. You can
plan your walk to take advantage of a return bus.
Bus and Walk
Alternatively by catching the bus from Budleigh to Otterton you are
able to walk out of the village, past the Monk's Wall and pick up the
coast path near Ladram Bay. By turning right you head back to Otterhead
and Budleigh [after a short[ish] diversion up to White Bridge]. A left
turn will take you to Ladram Bay - more ice creams etc., and on to Sidmouth
over Peak Hill, which at over 500 feet will make you puff a bit.
 Through
Heath and Woodland
Woodbury Common, the nearest point being about 4 miles away is criss-crossed
by paths and provides ample opportunity to get lost! The walking here
is over heath land and woods, and also gives access to footpaths and
quiet lanes in the adjoining area.
Access for all!
 Recent
work on the 2 mile section of path from the Lime Kilns car park to Otterton,
has improved access, so that all - young and old, able-bodied or with
restricted mobility - can enjoy the landscape and wildlife of this beautiful
area. The Otter Estuary is a Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific
Interest, managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust and an important area
of salt marsh, with good numbers or waders and wildfowl using it between
October and March.
For more information about birdwatching opportunities,
click here.
Guided Walks
For those who like to prefer others to do the organising, the Otter
Valley Association run a programme of guided walks in the area, and
also publish a very useful handbook of 12 walks (available from the
Budleigh Salterton Tourist Information Centre). For more information
about the guided walks, visit the Association's website at http://www.ova.org.uk/
.
The staff of the Budleigh
Salterton Tourist Information Centre are here to help you find out
more - click here for details.
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