Sidmouth Walking Festival

1. Arboretum Walk Meet:

Tourist Information Centre, Ham Lane, Sidmouth EX10 8XR.

Start: 14:00 End: c. 16:00 Jon Ball, Chair of Sidmouth Arboretum, will be leading a short walk to see and talk about some of the finest trees in central Sidmouth. Bookings required: tic@sidmouth.gov.uk or 01395 516441

2. Musbury Castle: Circular 5 miles.

Meet: Musbury Village Hall car park, Musbury, EX13 8AJ; SY272945.

Start: 10:00 End: c.12:45. This route begins in the picturesque village of Musbury and follows the East Devon Way up to Musbury Castle, an Iron Age hill fort offering stunning views over the Axe Valley and out to sea. Possibility for lunch at The Hind pub (01297 553553). Booking recommended

3. Sidmouth – Salcombe Hill: Circular 5 miles.

Please meet at The Knowle Park & Gardens car park (free), Station Road, Sidmouth, EX10 8HL; SY121882 Start: 10.30 End: c. 13:00 This walk takes us through the Knapp nature reserve and down to the River Sid before a steady ascent of Soldiers Hill brings us onto Salcombe Hill. Passing through woodland, we reach the coastal viewpoint at the ‘frog stone’ and the steady descent on steps to Sidmouth seafront. Our route back to the car park takes us along a hidden ‘goyle’ and the Knowle parkland.

5. Seaton Tram ride with a visit to historic Colyton.

Bus No 9A from Sidmouth Triangle is available. Meet Seaton Tramway, Harbour Road, EX12 2WD; SY247900 Parking for Seaton tramway is in the Underfleet car park (£) EX12 2WD. 3-minute walk to the Tramway station. START: 10.00am ready to leave on the 10.20 tram END: 15.00hrs. Enjoy a 3-mile tram ride through the glorious Axe Valley to arrive in the charming small market town of Colyton. The town is steeped in history and has many interesting features. You will be met by an experienced guide who will show you some of the historic buildings in Colyton. Take a picnic lunch or visit a local cafe. Cost £12.00 per person for a return tram ticket (payable at time of booking). Bookings required: tic@sidmouth.gov.uk or 01395 516441

6. East Devon Way Circular Walks from Woodbury Castle

Meet at Estuary View car park (west side of B3180), EX5 1JL; SY033872. Choose morning only, afternoon only or both walks. Bring a picnic lunch if doing both walks. 6a - Colaton Raleigh Common: Circular 5 miles. Start:10:30 End: c13:00. The heathland area was created by Neolithic farmers around 4000 BC when they started clearing the area of deciduous woodland to create pasture for their animals. Further clearance, grazing and burning over the centuries created the heathland. 6b - Woodbury Common: Circular 4.5 miles. Start: 14.00 End: c16.30. This walk commences at Woodbury Castle car park and follows tracks and footpaths to Woodbury village with good views of the Exe Estuary.

7. Bystock Ponds and Squabmoor Reservoir: Circular 7.5 miles

Bus No 157 from Sidmouth Triangle is available. Meet Hayes Lane Car Park, East Budleigh, EX9 7EB; SY065849 Start: 11:00 End: c.15.00 Bring a picnic lunch. The Pebblebed Heaths and Commons are a unique and valued feature of East Devon, and this walk takes in two of the major water features found on the heaths. Starting from East Budleigh the route quickly gets onto open heathland and the ponds at Bystock. This attractive Devon Wildlife Trust site will delight with its attractive waterside features. A little further on, the larger Squabmoor reservoir shoreline will be passed, where we will stop to admire the extensive water lilies and waterfowl.

9. Donkey Sanctuary VIP Experience.

Bus No 9A from Sidmouth Triangle is available. Meet: Overflow car park, Donkey Sanctuary, Slade House Farm, Sidmouth EX10 0NU; SY159894 Start: 10:00 End: c 13:00 Join this walk for a VIP experience and behind-the-scenes tour of this award-winning attraction. You will be met by a member of staff who will lead the group on a guided tour of the sanctuary. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to ask questions, and you will encounter many donkeys while taking in the stunning views. After the tour, you may like to visit more donkeys and have some lunch in the restaurant.

10. Knapp Copse: Circular 6 miles

Meet at Knapp Copse Nature Reserve car park. Seaton Rd, EX24 6JD; SY155957 Start: 10:30 End: c. 13.30 Knapp Copse Nature Reserve spans both sides of the steep Roncombe Valley. From here, the undulating route rewards the walker with fine views of the surrounding countryside and longer views to the sea at Sidmouth.

11. South West Coast Path, Exmouth to Sidmouth: Linear 13 miles

Meet: 08.45 at Sidmouth Triangle to catch the No 157 bus to Exmouth. Start: 10:00 – Exmouth Strand (by bus stop) End: c. 16.30 - Sidmouth Tourist Information Centre Bring a picnic lunch. This is a strenuous section of the coast path. The walk starts beside the River Exe with views over the broad estuary and the great sand bar of Dawlish Warren. We soon reach the sweeping Exmouth esplanade before climbing to the Geoneedle at Orcombe Point and the high point of West Down Beacon, both with panoramic views. After descending to the attractive sea front of Budleigh Salterton, we cross the Otter estuary and climb the distinctive red cliffs before making the climb to the high cliffs of High Peak and Peak Hill. We then descend again to our finish at Sidmouth.

12. Branscombe Donkey Sanctuary: Circular 8 miles.

Bus No 9A from Sidmouth Triangle is available. Meet: Overflow car park, Donkey Sanctuary, Slade House Farm, Sidmouth EX10 0NU; SY159894 Start: 10:00 End c. 15:00 Bring a picnic lunch. This walk leads us along the edge of Weston Combe to the South West Coast Path, which we follow through the Iron Age Berry Camp. We leave the coast path to explore the old mill and forge in Branscombe (NT), then ascend to Hole House and through the lovely Edge Barton valley to return to the start. Refreshments available at the Donkey Sanctuary.

13. Cruise and historic Exeter walk.

Bus No. 157 from Sidmouth Triangle is available. Meet: 10.30 am, Outside ROCKFISH on Exmouth seafront; SY994807 Boarding takes place at 10.45 am. Enjoy a 2.5-hour cruise from the seaside town of Exmouth along one of the oldest shipping canals in Europe to reach the historic Exeter Quay. There you will have lunch (not included) before being met by one of the Exeter ‘Red Coats’ who will be your guide and will provide an informative history walk around the canal basin. From there, we will walk to Exeter, where you can take the Avocet Line following the Exe Estuary, back to Exmouth (at your own cost). In total, there will be around 4 miles of walking. Please take a packed lunch, or there are cafes on the quay. There are a number of pay car parks in Exmouth, plus some free street parking. Cost £12 per person for the cruise and guided history tour (payable at time of booking). Bookings required: tic@sidmouth.gov.uk or 01395 516441

14. East Devon Way Circular Walks from Newton Poppleford.

Bus No 9 from Sidmouth Triangle is available (nearest stop Millmoor lane). Meet at Newton Poppleford Recreation Ground car park, EX10 0EY; SY085897 Both walks start & finish at the Recreation Ground. Choose one or both. Bring a picnic lunch if doing both walks. 14a - Newton Poppleford & River Otter Circular 5.5 miles. Start:10:00 End: 13:00 This walk will take you through the hamlet of Southerton and the villages of Venn Ottery and Tipton St John. 14b - Aylesbeare Common Circular; 4.6 miles. Start:14:00 End: c16:30 Walk from Newton Poppleford to Aylesbeare and Harpford Commons.

The Canon Inn is available for refreshments. (01395 568266)

15. Budleigh Salterton – Exmouth and back: Circular 10 Miles.

Bus No 157 Bus from Sidmouth Triangle available. Meet at Budleigh Salterton – town car park, Station Road, Budleigh Salterton EX9 6RN SY061820 Start: 10:00 End: c. 15:30 Bring a picnic lunch. From Budleigh we walk along the old cycle route to Exmouth, where we have a picnic lunch. (Cafes / Pubs are also an option). We then walk back along the South West Coast Path to Budleigh. The cycle path is relatively flat, but prepare for climbs on the return along the coast path!

16. Colaton Raleigh – Beaver Trail to the sea: Circular 8 miles

Meet at The Otter Inn, overflow car park, Colaton Raleigh, EX10 0LE; SY077874. Start:10:00 End c. 14:30 Bring a picnic lunch. Our walk takes us along the peaceful River Otter where a colony of wild beavers is being monitored, then on into the picturesque Otterton Village with a fully working mill. Next, we ascend onto the South West Coast Path where we see the impressive rock stacks at Ladram Bay and glorious views as far as Portland Bill. From here, we turn inland and retrace our steps along the River Otter. Refreshments are available at the Otter Inn after the walk.

18. Colyton, Shute Hill & Axe Valley: Circular 8.8 miles

Meet at Colyton Peace Memorial Playing Fields car park, EX24 6PU; SY249936 Pubs and cafés available for refreshments in Colyton at the end of the Walk Start: 10:00 End: c14.30 Bring a picnic lunch. This walk covers part of the Axe Valley and surrounding countryside with superb views of Musbury Castle hill fort and down the Axe estuary to the sea.

19. In Search of Sir Walter Raleigh; Circular

8 miles Bus No 157 from Sidmouth Triangle available. Meet at Budleigh Salterton – town car park, Station Road, Budleigh Salterton EX9 6RN SY061820 Start: 10:00 End c. 14:30 Bring a picnic lunch. A mix of disused railway line, open moorland, a beautiful lily-padded pool, a reservoir and riverside, together with a sight of Walter Raleigh’s birthplace, make this a most memorable walk. We visit the church Walter Raleigh attended before following the river to the seafront and the spot where the famous painting ‘The Boyhood of Raleigh’ was painted by Sir John Millais. Make time to visit the museum (entrance fee payable).

20. Newton Poppleford to Ottery St Mary: Circular 9 miles

Bus No 9 from Sidmouth Triangle is available (nearest stop Millmoor Lane). Meet at Newton Poppleford Recreation Ground car park, EX10 0EY; SY085897 Start: 10.00 End: c 15.00 Bring a picnic lunch. This walk goes through pleasant rural countryside, to the east of the River Otter via the villages of Harpford and Tipton St John, to Ottery St Mary. The return is an easy riverside walk, following the river along the west bank, to the start point.

22. East Devon Way: Circular Walks from Sidbury.

Park at Sidbury village car park. Ridgeway Close, Sidbury, EX10 0SN; SY139919 Bus No 9 to Old Coach House available. Meet at St Giles Church, Bridge Street, Sidbury EX10 0SB; SY139 918 Choose morning only, afternoon only or both walks. Bring a picnic lunch if doing both walks. 22a - Sidbury, Harcombe & Sweetcombe: Circular 6.3miles Start: 10:15 End c. 13:30 A circular walk partly on the East Devon Way taking in the hills and valleys around Sidbury, Harcombe and Sweetcombe. Wildlife is abundant, and it is a rich habitat for wildflowers. 22b Sidbury & Buckton Hill: Circular 3.3 miles. Start: 14.15 End: c. 16:00 This walk has many fine views both of Sidbury and towards the sea at Sidmouth and beyond. There are two steep hills, one ascent and one descent, but the route should not be beyond the capabilities of the average walker. The Red Lion is available for refreshments (01395 597313).

23. Sid Valley Ring: Linear 7 miles

Meet: 09:35 at Sidmouth Triangle to catch the No 9 bus to Sidbury. End: c. 15.30 Sidmouth Tourist Information Centre. Bring a picnic Lunch. Starting from the Saxon village of Sidbury, we ascend to White Cross and Fire Beacon Hill, which offer extensive views across the stunning landscape. We then descend through the western part of Sidmouth, where we see some fine buildings before reaching the Esplanade and our finish.

24. Sid Valley Ring Walk: Circular 14 miles

Meet at Tourist Information Centre, Ham Lane, Sidmouth, EX10 8XR; SY128873 Start: 10.00 End: c 17.30 Bring a picnic lunch. The circular Sid Valley Ring, which was launched at the 2019 Festival, will be undertaken clockwise. This strenuous walk starts by heading west along the seafront promenade. The terrain is challenging but offers a mix of panoramic inland and coastal views through farming landscapes and historic settlements, and includes parts of both the Southwest Coast path and the East Devon Way.