Walk - Exmouth to Sidmouth

12.5 miles (20.1 km)

Exmouth Sidmouth

Easy - Moderate to strenuous

The South West Coast Path offers gentle walking out of Exmouth as it enters the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Geoneedle at Orcombe Point marks the beginning of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

This beautiful and dramatic stretch of coast is of international importance and provides walkers with an incredibly special sense of time: endurance as well as transience. The Path avoids Straight Point, which is used as a Royal Marine firing range, and soon becomes quite rugged on the cliff top approach to Budleigh Salterton.

An easy walk along the promenade sets you up for more variety ahead, including crossing the River Otter at the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve (a good place for bird watching), open field walking, woodland and high cliffs, culminating in a descent to the Regency town of Sidmouth, with its attractive Esplanade, shops and restaurants.

There are a range of wonderful places to lay your head near the Coast Path for a well-earned sleep. From large and luxurious hotels, to small and personable B&B's, as well as self-catering options and campsites. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Oakdown Holiday Park

Family run award winning Holiday Park with touring, camping, glamping units and 5 star leisure lodges. Peace & tranquillity by the Coast.

Ladram Bay Holiday Park

Celebrating over 75 years of 5* family holidays, we offer the opportunity for visitors to join us for a day, holiday or holiday-home ownership.

Abele Tree House

Bed and Breakfast and 2 units of self catering accommodation within 150 metres of the South West Coast Path

The Lawns B&B

Spacious ensuite double rooms in a beautiful 1920s house situated on a peaceful no through road in the centre of Budleigh Salterton. Minimum stay is 2 nights.

Ladram Bay Holiday Centre

Tucked away in the picturesque countryside overlooking the historic Jurassic Coast, Ladram Bay is the Devon seaside holiday park with something for everyone.

1 Chapel Mews

1 Chapel Mews is a luxurious, cosy and modern cottage in a quiet area of central Sidmouth, 180 paces from the SWCP.

9 Riverside

A beautiful, 3 storey terrace next to the river with 4 bedrooms (sleeps 8). Perfect located for easy access to the Path and town. 2 night stays available (check availability)

The Dolphin Hotel

The Dolphin Hotel is a family-run establishment and prides itself on offering you a friendly and welcoming stay in Exmouth

You'll be spoilt for choice for where to eat and drink along the Path. With lots of local seasonal food on offer, fresh from the farm, field and waters. Try our local ales, ciders, wines and spirits, increasing in variety by the year, as you sit in a cosy pub, fine dining restaurant or chilled café on the beach. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Wesley's

A cafe and community space in the heart of Budleigh Salterton, providing employment training for adults with learning disabilities

Dukes - Sidmouth Inn

Slap bang in the centre of Sidmouth’s world famous esplanade & community.Our all day offering has something for everyone – so whether you visit to eat, drink or stay.

Flapjackery Sidmouth

Stop off and treat yourself or stock up for your trip along the Path with these delicious, award winning, gluten free flapjacks in a variety of flavours. “Enjoy 10% Discount in store when you show your SWCP passport.
What is on your list of things to do when you visit the Path? From walking companies, to help you tailor your visit, with itineraries and experts to enhance your visit, to baggage transfer companies and visitor attractions there are lots to people and places to help you decide what you'd like to do. The businesses that support the Path, where you've chosen to visit, are listed here.

Budleigh Information Centre

Information Centre for Visitors to & Residents of Budleigh Salterton

Fifty Degrees Clothing

Ladies, Gents and Children's Lifestyle Clothing, Footwear, Hats, and Accessories, for all ages and all seasons.

Sidmouth Tourist Information Centre

The Sidmouth Tourist Information Centre is a valuable resource for visitors to Sidmouth, Devon, United Kingdom. Located at Ham Lane, Sidmouth EX10 8XR1

Ocean

Ocean Exmouth - Bowling, Soft Play, Dining & Events

Exmouth Pavilion

Exmouth Pavilion is a stunning art-deco style venue situated directly on Exmouth seafront.

Stuart Line Cruises

Family-run, award-winning boat trips operating from Exmouth throughout the year!

Interactive Elevation

Highlights

  • Exploring Exmouth’s rock pools at low tide.
  • The dunes and marine grasses of The Maer.
  • Looking ahead from Orcombe Point, knowing you are standing on 250 million year old rocks and are about to set off along part of the 95 miles of cliffs of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. These cliffs contain unique evidence of our planet’s history and were awarded World Heritage status in 2001.
  • Walking along the seafront at Budleigh Salterton and admiring the fantastic mix of architecture.
  • Enjoying the names of offshore rocks and headlands, including Twopenny Loaf Rock and Little Picket Rock.
  • The tidal mudflats, freshwater reedbeds and saltmarsh of The Otter Estuary Nature Reserve. The Reserve supports an extensive population of wintering birds. Look out for redshank, common sandpipers and curlews.
  • The spectacular red sandstone stacks of Ladram Bay and the views ahead to Sidmouth.
  • Walking through the woods to High Peak, the site of an Iron Age settlement.
  • Sidmouth: home of the famous International Folk Festival and striking Regency architecture, this seaside town is the ideal place to end your day. There are interesting shops, parks and gardens, plenty of opportunities to find refreshments and a long stretch of beach perfect for throwing pebbles and resting your feet.

Shorter option

Stop at Budleigh Salterton (5.4 miles, 8.7 km).

Longer option

Continue to Beer (an additional 8.8 miles, 14.2 km).

Public transport

The nearest train station is Exmouth. From Exmouth there are regular buses to Sidmouth, stopping at Budleigh Salterton and Otterton. For timetable information, zoom in on the interactive map and click on the train station and bus stop symbols, visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 22 33.

Parking

Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Ladram Bay and Sidmouth.

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