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East Devon and Budleigh
Salterton in particular offer a very varied choice of walking.  The
South West Coast Path
The town has immediate
access to the South
West Coast Path and many people each year use Budleigh as a convenient overnight
stay in their long distance travels. For the visitor based in or near the town,
very enjoyable day or part day walks can be planned by using the coast path.
Exmouth
via Sandy Bay is about 4.5 miles, and takes you over the high point - 430 feet
with spectacular views down through the fields to the caravan park at Sandy Bay,
where you could enjoy an ice cream or cup of tea, a cooling swim and the pleasures
of sitting on the lovely sands, before setting off again over the cliffs and dropping
down to the end of Exmouth promenade, which will take you up into the town, from
where you can catch a return bus, or plan your return walk! The
Peace of the River Otter
A more gentle walk can be taken by going up the
River Otter, a level walk of about 2.5 miles, up to the village of Otterton. There
are many spots where you can sit and enjoy the peace, and maybe even see a kingfisher
darting downstream. Otterton is a beautiful little village, well worth exploring,
and has a good selection of pub and teashops etc. You can plan your walk to take
advantage of a return bus. Bus
and Walk
Alternatively by catching the bus from Budleigh to Otterton you
are able to walk out of the village, past the Monk's Wall and pick up the coast
path near Ladram Bay. By turning right you head back to Otterhead and Budleigh
[after a short[ish] diversion up to White Bridge]. A left turn will take you to
Ladram Bay - more ice creams etc., and on to Sidmouth over Peak Hill, which at
over 500 feet will make you puff a bit.  Through
Heath and Woodland
Woodbury Common, the nearest point being about
4 miles away is criss-crossed by paths and provides ample opportunity to get lost!
The walking here is over heath land and woods, and also gives access to footpaths
and quiet lanes in the adjoining area.
Access
for all!
 Recent
work on the 2 mile section of path from the Lime Kilns car park to Otterton, has
improved access, so that all - young and old, able-bodied or with restricted mobility
- can enjoy the landscape and wildlife of this beautiful area. The Otter Estuary
is a Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest, managed by the Devon
Wildlife Trust and an important area of salt marsh, with good numbers or waders
and wildfowl using it between October and March. For more
information about birdwatching opportunities, click here. Guided
Walks
For those who like to prefer others to do the organising, the Otter
Valley Association run a programme of guided walks in the area, and also publish
a very useful handbook of 12 walks (available from the Budleigh Salterton Tourist
Information Centre). For more information about the guided walks, visit the Association's
website at http://www.ova.org.uk/
. The staff of the Budleigh
Salterton Tourist Information Centre are here to help you find out more -
click here for details. | 
