Budleigh / Otterton Circular Walk

Looking toward Ladram Bay & Sidmouth

This walk is a little under 10 miles and includes some rough, uneven ground. It takes in the river Otter at the Budleigh end then onto the coast path where you will take in stunning views of the Jurassic coast right along to Brandy Head with its smuggling history and WWII use for testing aircraft mounted gun sights and canons. Shortly after this there is a permissive path taking you 1 3/4 miles into Otterton, along the way you will pass Stantyayne Farm where they have a lovely little honesty cafe, great for a well deserved cuppa and one of the delicious home made brownies or flapjacks. After this the road takes you into Otterton itself, a lovely village where one can pop into the Kings Arms or Otterton Mill for lunch before walking back to the car park in budleigh via the path along the river Otter.

One can start from the Lime Kiln Car Park in Budleigh Salterton

Link To Google Maps

Once you are parked up, walk to the back of the car park where there is a children's play area and take the footpath by the river (marked as SW Coast Path on the map above) that will take you past some lookout points and a hive where you can relax and keep a look out for many of the species of birds in the area. Further down there is this road bridge which is about 1 3/4 miles from the car park and it is from the other side of this bridge that one will find the continuation of the SW Coast path that takes you to the cliff tops and some more stunning scenery. Ladram Bay is around 3 miles from this point.

Go across this road bridge to continue the coast path.

There is a longer route if one wishes to walk more of the river Otter first. Instead of crossing this bridge just continue straight across the road and through the gate to enjoy a good level walk to the footbridge (via one more kissing gate).

Go over this bridge, up the steps and continue the right hand path.

Going over this bridge you will be greeted by large steps taking you to the path at the top - continue to your right. Notes: There are, to your left two large brick pilars that will take you into Otterton via Park Lane and this in turn meets Maunders Hill (Residential housing) and at the bottom of this is Otterton High Street, a short distance from the Mill.

The pilars that lead to Park Lane - Info Here

This right hand path will take you to the other side of the road bridge mentioned above. It is a very pleasant walk on easy ground and much of it tarmac. Continue a few yards to the sign below.

Follow the path to Ladram Bay

The start of the path to the cliff top and Ladram Bay / Sidmouth

Looking back as you advance.

Heading forward (Sidmouth in the distance)

The path is fairly easy going and eventually you will reach Brandy Head. The old testing station is still here and makes a good place to take a well earned rest for a few minutes. The building is just a shell but was used during the war to test aircraft canon and gun sights etc info here.

Brandy Head old Testing station

The path gets a little more difficult soon after this and soon you are offered another option.

From here our walk changes direction and we take the permissive path to Otterton, 1 1/2 miles. for a short distance it is a tree lined narrow path that comes out to a much wider tarmac path. There is some sort of works to your right, go past this and continue following the road round to the right where it gradually goes uphill for some distance past some fields dedicated to organic projects and the protection of Yellowhammer birds etc.

At the top of the hill you will reach Stantyway Farm, an organic farm and it is here that a very delightful little honesty cafe is located. The last time I popped in here there were the most delicious treats on sale, well I can certainly vouch for the flapjack. Everything you need for a tea or a coffee or cold water to replenish your bottle and some for the dog if you have one, a very welcome treat. There is also a bench under a tree opposite.

From here is a downhill walk into Otterton where you can take in the splendour of the village and arrive at the mill and have lunch or refreshments before walking over the bridge and taking the few steps down to the river Otter and back to Budleigh.