Most (if not all) of the East Devon and Dorset sections of Coast Path are currently (October 2014) being completed as day walks, using car and/or bus to get to and from the ends of linear walks and with some parts being completed as circular (or 'panhandle') walks. It is still 'work in progress'!
Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton
Sunday 19 January 2014
A day walk from home, driving, firstly, to Budleigh Salterton (free car parking available in car park near Public Hall) to catch the bus (Stagecoach service 357) to Exmouth for the start of the walk. Bus service 357 provides a good regular seven days a week to and from Exmouth.
It was a glorious, clear, bright sunny winter's day following a very wet period, meaning that underfoot much of the way was very boggy, muddy and slippery. One hiker who we passed suggested that it was worth the mud for the views!
We left the bus at the northern end of Rolle Street and, instead of heading straight to the continuation of the Coast Path at the pedestrian ferry terminal near the Marina, we headed first towards The Point and then along Camperdown Terrace and on the seaward side of the new blocks of flats, reminding us of huge fishermen's net lofts.
Shortly after crossing the lifting bridge at the entrance to the Marina, we were making our way along the Esplanade: busy with all ages of people taking advantage of the respite in the weather. Not only was the Esplanade busy, but so was the beach itself.
Trying to get into the swing of what has become something of a tradition for the start of our day's Coast Path walking, we stopped for a coffee at The Bath House on the Esplanade.
After our pause, we continued through the crowds towards The Geoneedle at Orcombe Point, for much of the way from Exmouth evident on the skyline ahead of us, high on the cliff.
Once on the low cliffs the path became wet and boggy in places. We were glad of our stout boots and hiking poles!
The Path took us through the Devon Cliffs Holiday Park and past the Straight Point Rifle Range - silent on this Sunday. The steps down to the footbridge near to West Down Farm had partially been undermined by the recent heavy rain and care was needed. Further evidence of the recent bad weather was evident by what appeared to be recent cracks in the cliff-top above The Floors.
The way from West Down Beacon was down hill, with the stunning views of Budleigh Salterton, the Otter Head and the Jurassic Coast as far as the eye could see.
A wonderful day's walk!
Coast Path distance: 9.6 km (6 miles);
Walk total: 12 km (7.5 miles).
Cumulative distance from Minehead: 838km (521 miles);
Distance to South Haven Point: 177km (109 miles).
Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton
Sunday 19 January 2014
A day walk from home, driving, firstly, to Budleigh Salterton (free car parking available in car park near Public Hall) to catch the bus (Stagecoach service 357) to Exmouth for the start of the walk. Bus service 357 provides a good regular seven days a week to and from Exmouth.
It was a glorious, clear, bright sunny winter's day following a very wet period, meaning that underfoot much of the way was very boggy, muddy and slippery. One hiker who we passed suggested that it was worth the mud for the views!
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| Exmouth |
Shortly after crossing the lifting bridge at the entrance to the Marina, we were making our way along the Esplanade: busy with all ages of people taking advantage of the respite in the weather. Not only was the Esplanade busy, but so was the beach itself.
Trying to get into the swing of what has become something of a tradition for the start of our day's Coast Path walking, we stopped for a coffee at The Bath House on the Esplanade.
After our pause, we continued through the crowds towards The Geoneedle at Orcombe Point, for much of the way from Exmouth evident on the skyline ahead of us, high on the cliff.
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| 'We are here!' |
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| The Geoneedle: Gateway to the Jurassic Coast |
The Path took us through the Devon Cliffs Holiday Park and past the Straight Point Rifle Range - silent on this Sunday. The steps down to the footbridge near to West Down Farm had partially been undermined by the recent heavy rain and care was needed. Further evidence of the recent bad weather was evident by what appeared to be recent cracks in the cliff-top above The Floors.
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| Budleigh Salterton |
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| At Budleigh Salterton |
Coast Path distance: 9.6 km (6 miles);
Walk total: 12 km (7.5 miles).
Cumulative distance from Minehead: 838km (521 miles);
Distance to South Haven Point: 177km (109 miles).
Budleigh Salterton to Sidmouth
Friday 12 September 2014
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| Budleigh Salterton |
A day bus walk from home, using bus links from Newton Poppleford (free car park). Firstly the hourly Stagecoach 157 service to Budleigh Salterton for the start of the walk and then the Stagecoach (52A or 52B) from Sidmouth Triangle back to Newton Poppleford.
This is a pleasant section; the first part along the front at Budleigh Salterton before heading north alongside the River Otter as far as White Bridge. The Coast Path then heads south on the other side of the river to reach the cliffs at Otter Head.
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| The Otter |
From Otter Head the path heads, once again, in an easterly direction, passing Ladram Bay with its holiday village in the valley and rock stacks in the bay.
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| Ladram Bay |
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| Sidmouth |
Coast Path distance: 11.5 km (7.1 miles);
Walk total: 13.6 km (8.4 miles).
Cumulative distance from Minehead: 849km (528 miles);
Distance to South Haven Point: 166km (102 miles)
Walk total: 13.6 km (8.4 miles).
Cumulative distance from Minehead: 849km (528 miles);
Distance to South Haven Point: 166km (102 miles)
Sidmouth to Branscombe Mouth
Tuesday 14 October 2014
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| Sidmouth from the east |
This section is described as 'severe then strenuous' in the South West Coast Path Asociation's guide and 'challenging' on the South West Coast Path National Trail website. It certainly has its fair share of ascents - and descents, as well: both starting and ending at sea level.
Following the path to the eastern end of the esplanade and crossing the temporary bridge over the River Sid at its mouth, passing by houses before entering the field above Salcombe Hill Cliff. At the top of the field we paused on the bench for a short and welcome coffee stop.
We continued climbing, eventually reaching the top above Chapman's Rocks before descending to Salcombe Mouth, with a further stiff climb and descent to Weston Mouth, where we stopped for our picnic lunch, watching the black-headed gulls diving for fish just offshore, together with a lone cormorant which was making its own way in an easterly direction, diving and popping up a hundred yards or so further along the beach. Clearly there was a plentiful supply of fish for them!
From Weston Mouth we continued, passing the iron age field systems and Berry Camp on the way to Branscombe Mouth, where we enjoyed a pot of tea and a crab sandwich at the café. After that we returned to the village hall along the pathway.
Coast Path distance: 10 km (6 miles);
Walk total: 11.7 km (7.25 miles).
Cumulative distance from Minehead: 859km (533 miles);
Distance to South Haven Point: 156km (97 miles)
Branscombe Mouth to Seaton
A Sunday bus walk from home in Bridport. Check that there are suitable bus services for this walk: bus services can - and do - change!
We caught the X53 bus from Bridport and alighted at The Three Horseshoes stop on the main road between Beer and Sidford. The Three Horseshoes was (and is, at the time of writing) a derelict former pub. Do not be tempted to rely on it for refreshments!
From nearby the Three Horseshoes, we headed across the fields and through the woods to reach Branscombe Mouth (seasonal refreshments available in the café) before joining the Coast Path for Beer and Seaton, with its spectacular rock formations between Branscombe Mouth and Beer Head, where there is a steep climb from the lower path to the cliff top path. From there, it is an easy descent to Beer (all facilities and bus services), before another climb out of the village and a further descent to Seaton.
Seaton has all facilities, including the narrow-gauge passenger tramway along the Axe Estuary to Colyton.
Coast Path distance: 6 km (3.7 miles);
Walk total: 13.0 km (8.1 miles).
Cumulative distance from Minehead to Seaton: 866km (538 miles);
Distance to South Haven Point: 149km (92 miles)
Seaton to Lyme Regis
Sunday 05 June 2011
A linear bus walk from Bridport, using the connecting X53 bus service to Seaton, returning to Bridport from Lyme Regis also by bus.
At the time of our walking this section, the Undercliff was open. During the storms of the winter of 2013/2014, there were severe landslips, which meant that the Path had to be diverted.
The Undercliffe is a unique section, described in the SWCP handbook as a 'strange world'. Although there was little by way of sea views, we immensely enjoyed the walk - the second section of the South West Coast Path that we completed. The idea of doing the whole Path seemed a long way off!
Coast Path distance from Seaton to Lyme Regis: 11.2km (7 miles);
Walk total: 11.2km (7 miles).
Cumulative distance from Minehead to Lyme Regis: 877km (545 miles);
Distance from Lyme Regis to South Haven Point: 138km (85 miles)
Walk total: 11.2km (7 miles).
Cumulative distance from Minehead to Lyme Regis: 877km (545 miles);
Distance from Lyme Regis to South Haven Point: 138km (85 miles)
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