Natural Heritage
The immediate vicinity of Budleigh Salterton contains a tremendous diversity of natural habitats, which support a wealth of flora and fauna. From the high windblown expanses of the heath lands to the sheltered lowland pastures and from the mud of the tidal reaches of the River Otter to the 400+feet high cliffs above Sandy Bay, there is so much of interest to everyone, from inquisitive amateur naturalists to occasional walkers.

The estuary of the River Otter
and Otterton Point

The heath lands are comprised of a series of seven commons, owned and managed by Clinton Devon Estates. These form the major part of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths and are one of the most important heath land areas in the U.K.. This unique habitat has developed over many centuries by local people exercising their commoner's rights to use this area as a source of fuel, grazing land and bedding for their animals. Nowadays it is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is used by the Royal Marines for training, by visitors and residents for recreational purposes and is a conservation site for its unique flora and fauna.

On Woodbury Common

The Jurassic Coast
The 95 mile stretch of coastline from Exmouth to Swanage has recently become Britain's first Natural World Heritage Site, to rank alongside The Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon. It is one of the more important earth science sites in the world and its wonderful natural beauty contains many renowned features of tremendous significance to the geological history of the world.

Ladram Bay

Budleigh Salterton lies at the western end of the Jurassic Coast which is the oldest part. The more notable features of this section of The Jurassic Coast are the pebble beds and the magnificent red sandstone cliffs, which at nearby Ladram Bay are fashioned into dramatic sea stacks. A few miles to the east coastal landslides have created Undercliff areas at Beer and Lyme Regis which are quite unique in the U.K. for their geological form and natural habitat.

Find out more about the Jurassic Coast at www.jurassiccoast.com

Enjoy the Jurrassic Coast from a different perspective on a sea cruise - click here.

Budleigh Salterton pebbles

The staff of the Budleigh Salterton Tourist Information Centre are here to help you find out more - click here for details.

Aerial photographs © UK Aerial Photography, 2006