Planning a visit to Budleigh Salterton this year? Why not brush up on your facts about the town before you get here? How many of these things did you already know?

 

Budleigh sits along the Jurassic Coast, the cliffs date back to the Triassic and are over 240 million years old.

The beach is famous for its distinctive pebbles, which were originally formed in a desert environment before being transported there by the sea.

The beach is only 100 years old, it was formed during a bad storm in 1824.

Budleigh is the birthplace of a prominent Pre Raphaelite painter called Sir John Everett Millais who is credited with putting the town on the map with his painting, the Boyhood of Raleigh.

This painting references Sir Walter Raleigh, who was born in East Budleigh. He was born on a farm and his father was the warden at the church of All Saints – you’ll even find a pew named for him there. Raleigh went on to find fame as a privateer during the reign of Elizabeth I, though he met a sticky end – he was executed at the Tower of London.

Walter Raleigh also lends his name to Raleigh County, the name given to several towns and villages, including Budleigh Salterton.

Budleigh Salterton is home to the River Otter Estuary which is a haven for wildlife and is home to several bird species.

It isn’t just birds, there are beavers living in Budleigh too! Beavers were at one time extinct but thanks to a successful reintroduction programme on the River Otter, they are now thriving around Budleigh Salterton! They are most active at night, but you can still catch a glimpse of them if you walk along the river side in the early evening, especially in the summer months.

Budleigh Salterton has a long history which dates back to around the Saxon times. It was originally known as Salterne the name comes from the fact that it was a leading manufacturer of salt! Local monks at the nearby Otterton priory took charge of the salt makers and the pans used in the process were still in use up until the 18th century.

Budleigh is the home to several famous names, not just Walter Raleigh, but also Belinda Lee, actress in British films of the 1950s, was born here in 1935. Her father managed a hotel in the town. Charles Warrell, creator of the I-Spy series of children's books, lived here from his retirement in 1956 until his death in 1995 and writer Dame Hilary Mantel lived there, she was also the president of the annual Literary Festival. 

As well as the literary festival, there is also a Classical Music festival in the summer 

Fancy a game or two? Budleigh Salterton’s croquet club is one of the oldest in the UK.

You can find out more about the town’s history by visiting the Fairlynch Museum, which is housed in a former cottage, that was built by a local ship owner and was known as Primrose Cottage. It was later purchased by four local women who turned it into an arts centre and museum