Walk - Sidmouth to Seaton

10.3 miles (16.6 km)

Sidmouth Seaton

Challenging - Severe to strenuous

Walking through the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is impressive at any time of year and in any weather conditions. There are some especially beautiful stretches here and so the many steep ascents and descents are certainly well worth the effort. Allow time to rest at intervals and take in the spectacular sights, including the spring and summertime butterflies enjoying the masses of wild flowers on top of the red cliffs at Branscombe, the extraordinary change in geology around Beer and keep a look out for the occasional peregrine.

Leave the red cliffs of Sidmouth as you set off along this rugged section of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, crossing 200 million year old rocks. The red Triassic earth gives way to striking white chalk around Beer before you arrive at the mouth of the River Axe and the rich red cliffs of the village of Seaton.

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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.

Eyre Court Hotel

01297 21455

The Eyre Court Hotel is a friendly, small, family-run hotel, bar and restaurant ideally situated just 150m from the famous Jurassic coast

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Westleigh bed and breakfast

0129723247

Small friendly bed and breakfast minutes from the Path, welcomes dogs. Individually prepared dinners by Cordon Bleu trained host by prior arrangement, to suit every dietary requirement.

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Belmont House

01297 24415

2 minutes walk from the beach & South West Coast Path, offering Adult Only accommodation in 5 comfortable, ensuite rooms. Pubs, cafes and restaurants 1 minute walk away for breakfast and evening meal.

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Holyford Farm Cottages

01297 552983

A variety of accommodation options at this stunning Grade 2 listed property, in a beautiful remote setting near the village of Colyford, less than 1.5 miles to the Coast Path at Seaton.

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Coombe View Campsite

01297 680218

Come and stay with us in the heart of the beautiful green East Devon countryside. Just one mile from the unspoilt coastal village of Branscombe.

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Oakdown Holiday Park

01297 680387

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

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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.

The Sea Shanty Beach Cafe

01297 680107

The Sea Shanty Beach Cafe & Shop

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Masons Arms

01297 680300

Thatched, 14th-century inn with country-chic rooms, a traditional bar & a modern British restaurant.

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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.

Seaton Tramway

01297 20375

Travel 3 miles inland from Seaton, gateway to the Jurassic Coast to Colyton along the Axe Valley. Open top double deckers for panoramic views, enclosed saloons when wet.

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Highlights

Enjoying the architecture in the Regency town of Sidmouth.

Looking out for linnets and stonechats in the yellow gorse.

Views from Salcombe Hill Cliff back along the South Devon coast to Torbay and ahead along the red cliffs towards Dorset.

Crossing the wild little valley of Lincombe, an area visited by green woodpeckers.

Resting on the pebbly beach of Weston Mouth.

The exquisite flowers, grasses and butterflies of the Weston Wildflower Meadow.

The remains of Berry Cliff Camp: an Iron Age hill fort.

Resting on the beach under vast cliffs at Branscombe Mouth. Once a busy area for smuggling, the seas here have been more recently known for the stricken container ship the MSC Napoli.

Looking down to the breathtaking views from Hooken Cliff. This dramatic slope of woodland and white rock was formed by a landslide in 1790.

Views from Beer Head over Seaton Bay.

The dramatic, exposed chalk cliffs of Beer. This fishing village, which was the birthplace of the notorious smuggler Jack Rattenbury, also known as "The Rob Roy of the West", is protected from winds by the enormous cliffs. The creamy white stone from Beer Caves has been quarried for centuries as it is very easy to carve, and can be seen in the cathedral of Exeter, as well as Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s. You can visit the Beer Caves, which were first used by the Romans, open daily from March to October.

There is a short permanent diversion of the footpath at the Old Beer Road between Beer and Seaton.

The traditional seaside town of Seaton: here you will find welcome refreshments at the end of your day as well as the attractive Jubilee Gardens, some interesting shops and a museum, which is open Monday to Friday from May to October and has many fascinating old photographs of the area. Further up the Axe Estuary, the Seaton Marshes teem with birdlife, dragonflies and butterflies.

Public transport

The nearest mainline train station in the cathedral city of Exeter. After a 10 minute walk or bus ride into the city centre, you can then catch one of the regular buses to Sidmouth or Seaton. 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.

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