If you’re not able to make this year’s Walking Festival or want to keep the festivities going, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite routes around the Jurassic Coast. Some of these routes are easily accessible for walkers of all abilities, while others are perfect for dog walkers or those that are more experienced.
Enjoy these walks?
Make sure to check out our page dedicated to local walks here.
Otterton Mill walk, Budleigh Salterton via South West Coast Path
Start at Lime Kiln car park in Budleigh Salterton and head towards the South West Coast Path as it heads inland. The route is mostly flat and level with smooth paths, so is a good one for those who are less confident on their feet. The total route is 5 miles, but there are plenty of places to stop along the way for refreshments.
Once on the path, look out for a sign for South Farm Road. From here, turn right and cross the river and then left onto a lane alongside the other bank, travelling through the trees. From here you’ll be able to see the former Otterton Park and Clamour Bridge. Carry on past these to follow the river along Park Lane. At the junction, turn left onto Church Hill and follow the road around the church yard before turning left onto Fore Street.
Cross the river and turn left onto the footpath, following it down stream to pass the Clamour Bridge again.
When you reach the a queduct, carry on ahead and take the second right. Ignore the next path to the right and carry on around the river passing the bridge and windmill and continuing back to South Farm Road. This will return you to Lime Kiln car park.
Seaton to Lyme Regis via South West Coast Path
The whole route is around 7 miles, however, you can do a shorter route and return to Lyme Regis via public transport if you don’t want to do the whole walk. This one is more challenging and has uneven terrain in places, it is even more uneven underfoot when you reach Undercliff but it is a popular one with dog walkers.
For the full route, start out on Seaton sea front and walk along the eastern edge, crossing over the River Axe, follow the river up stream and then follow the signs for the South West Coast Path. The path will take you up past the clubhouse and golf course. At the junction, turn right and this will bring you out on top of Haven Cliff where you can enjoy some amazing views but it can be slippery underfoot, so be careful.
The path will then go down into the Undercliff National Nature Reserve and across Goat Island.
There are lots of places to stop for refreshments along this route and there are buses running between Seaton and Lyme Regis to help with the return journey should you only want to do part of or the whole route.
Salcombe Hill to Sidmouth Town Centre, via National Trust
This National Trust route is around 5 miles and takes you through some picturesque areas of Sidmouth and even gives you a bird’s eye view of the town. It is dog friendly, though at certain times of the year there are livestock grazing so make sure they are on a lead. It is described as being a moderate walk, so make sure you’re confident and are suitably dressed.
Start at the National Trust Salcombe Hill car park and follow the path towards the cliff where you can see those amazing views over Sidmouth and the bay. Follow the path signposted Coast Path Sidmouth and follow it through woodland and open fields, turn right at the end of the field, continuing to follow the Coast Path sign.
At the junction, turn left onto Laskeys Lane, then continue straight along the footpath next to West Combe House. Turn onto Cliff Road and follow the footpath across the Alma Bridge, after crossing the bridge, turn right and along the Ham.
Continue along the path following the National Cycle Network path, along Riverside Road. Turn right onto Mill Street by the car park and cross the footbridge to Milford Road. At the junction, cross the road towards the Old Toll House.
Follow the footpath along the side of the River Sid, crossing over the third footbridge. Continue walking towards Sidford, following Fortescue sign towards Fortescue Road and then join the public footpath to Salcombe Regis.
Follow the lane and this will bring you to Soldiers Hill. At the end of the path, go through the kissing gate onto Salcombe Hill Road. Continue following the road signposted for Salcombe Regis, turning to the right and down the steps to the left. At the bottom of the steps, follow the path signposted Salcombe Hill and join the footpath which will bring you back to the car park where you started.