7miles/
11kms

Devon’s Triassic Coast

About this route

The coastline of East Devon is part of the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site. This is England’s first natural World Heritage Site, putting it on a par with the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon as one of the wonders of the natural world. The World Heritage Site stretches from Studland Bay in Dorset to Orcombe Point near Exmouth, and is often referred to as the “Jurassic Coast”. Its importance is that it shows the natural geological progression over 185 million years of earth history in just 95 miles. However, this progression includes geological eras older and younger than the Jurassic period. In the west of the site the geological era shown is the older Triassic, and it is in this part of the World Heritage Site that this walk is found.

Getting Around

Budleigh Salterton is served by buses from Exmouth and Sidmouth.

Facilities
Budleigh Salterton : all facilities; Otterton : shop, pub,refreshments, buses
Terrain
1 stile; generally fairly level with one climb of 40m/130ft and another of 30m/100ft.
Accessibility
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OS Maps

Landranger [1: 50,000 scale] no. 192 Exeter, Sidmouth and surrounding areas.
Explorer [1: 25,000 scale] no. 115 Exmouth and Sidmouth.

For More Information

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Interesting information

The walk starts at the mouth of the River Otter at Budleigh Salterton, follows the river inland then crosses to the coast to follow the South West Coast Path back to Budleigh Salterton.

Budleigh Salterton is known for its pebble beach. These pebbles are a feature of the geology of this part of Devon and they help to form the extensive common lands inland of the town. They are a result of action by the sea and rivers which covered this area in the Triassic era, over 200 million years ago.

The Coast Path diverts inland to get around the estuary. Although a relatively small estuary, the marsh and wetland has made it a valuable resource for wildlife and it is maintained as a nature reserve by the Devon Wildlife Trust. Look out for the information boards alongside the path to discover some of the estuary’s nature conservation interest. This length of path is maintained as suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs and has a number of viewpoints over the estuary.

The river Otter gets its name from the animals which used to frequent it, and this name dates back to Saxon times. In more recent years otters virtually disappeared from the river, but are now making a welcome comeback. However, there is little chance of seeing one of these shy, largely nocturnal creatures. More likely to be seen is the brilliant flash of a kingfisher, these beautiful birds being relatively common in these areas.

The aqueduct coming into the Otter carries water from Budleigh Brook, on the western side of the valley. It was originally built to help drain the water meadows in order to reclaim the land for agriculture. It dates to the early years of the 19th century.

The distinctive appearance of a small country railway station, now a private house, this was East Budleigh station on the branch line which ran through the valley. It was closed as part of the Beeching cuts in 1967.

Otterton Mill, with its artists’ studios, working mill exhibition, crafts and refreshments. It dates from the 18th century and is on the site of a monastic mill which originally belonged to Mont St. Michel in Brittany. It is an important example of a working water mill little altered since the mid-19th century.

Otterton is a very attractive village lined with thatched cottages, some of which date back as far as the 16th century. It is also lent charm by the stream running the length of the village alongside the street.

There are superb views along the coast of the World Heritage Site, Ladram Bay prominent in the foreground. The red sandstone cliffs also owe their origins to the Triassic river systems. Beyond, the views take in Sidmouth and on to Beer Head, the most westerly chalk outcrop in England. Ladram Bay has seasonal shops and a pub.

There is no crossing of the Otter at its mouth and wading is not recommended because of the depth and the strength of the current. The longshore drift causing this diversion also results in spits across the mouths of other rivers in the area, most notably that at Dawlish Warren across the mouth of the Exe.

Photo of the otter estuary where it meets the pebble beach at Budleigh
Otter Estuary Copyright Christine Matthews

You can explore more in this area

Photo of red cliffs and pebble bed layer above Budleigh Salterton Beach

Budleigh Salterton Cliffs and the Otter ..

The cliffs in the western part of Budleigh Salterton expose the full thickness of the Lower Triassic Budleigh Salterton Pebble
Photo of red cliffs and pebble bed layer above Budleigh Salterton Beach

Budleigh Salterton Cliffs and the Otter ..

The cliffs in the western part of Budleigh Salterton expose the full thickness of the Lower Triassic Budleigh Salterton Pebble
Photo of the view along the beach at Budleigh Salterton
2.5miles/
4.2kms

Budleigh to Otterton Mill

A delightful path along the River Otter which meets with other paths at the lower end of the Otter Estuary,
Photo of the view along the beach at Budleigh Salterton
7miles/
11kms

Pines, pebbles and plantations

This walk is in East Devon. It is based around the charming seaside town of Budleigh Salterton and forms a circuit,