South West Coast Path toward Otterton & Brandy Head

At approximately 7 miles this is a wonderful walk with a few short hills (one or two steep). On a warm sunny day it’s a perfect way to enjoy the peace and quiet of the East Devon Coast and enjoy stunning views. Along the way you will come to Brandy Head, the remains of a WWII observation post, which has now been converted to holiday accommodation. The path does get challenging in places especially after Brandy Head.

Facilities : There are toilets and refreshments a short walk away from Lime kiln car park behind the beach huts as you walk toward Budleigh town centre. Also toilets and refreshments at Otterton Mill and the Kings Arms in Otterton.

OS Explorer Map 115 Exmouth & Sidmouth covers this area

The walk starts from the Lime Kiln car park in Budleigh (info on charges) and takes you alongside the river Otter up to the bridge at South Farm Road. The Lime Kiln car park is off the B3178 if travelling from East Budleigh. Turn left off Coastguard Road onto Salting hill (by the Monument) – map below. If driving through Budleigh from Exmouth or Exeter then keep going along the seafront and up hill, turn right at the monument on to Salting hill and descend into the car park.

As the path ends at the road just turn right and walk over the bridge (vehicles use this bridge as well) continuing along the road keeping to the right and to the entrance of South Farm and Pynes farm shop plus other businesses. There is a footpath just to the right of and behind the gatepost, follow this to walk out to the coast path on the clifftops.

The pictures below give you a glimpse of some of the views on this stunning walk, it is one of my personal favourites.

There is a bench here at Brandy Head so you can take a well earned break before descending down the other side where the footpath gets more tricky and care is needed. Eventually you will reach a sign, take the left path on the permissive route heading toward Otterton. This will take you away from the clifftops and past a water treatment works before finally ending up in Stantyway Road. Keep right and follow this road up the gradual hill to Stantyway Farm where you will find an honesty cafe with seating. Grab yourself a cuppa and perhaps a cake.

The honesty cafe is just lovely. Everything you need for a cuppa and there are even cakes and treats plus tables and chairs (also a play table for the little ones with chalks for drawing).

Continue walking on from here, downhill and you will simply arrive in Otterton. Keep left down the main road toward the Kings Arms and a little further on to Otterton Mill – either of these places makes an ideal lunch and refreshment stop. After the mill take the steps on the bridge to walk the 2 1/4 miles back to the car park or slightly shorter to South Farm Road and back to your car.