Attractions and Places To See around Budleigh Salterton - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Budleigh Salterton include a variety of natural landscapes and historical sites in East Devon. The town is situated along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, featuring a pebble beach and striking red cliffs. The area is known for its significant geological formations and diverse wildlife habitats, including a thriving estuary. Visitors can explore coastal paths, nature reserves, and local heritage.
Best attractions and places to see around Budleigh Salterton
- The most popular attractions is Exe Estuary Trail, a trail that offers a traffic-free path between Topsham and Exton. It is well-surfaced and suitable for various activities, including cycling, walking, and running.
- Another must-see spot is Otter Estuary Nature Reserve, a natural monument known for its marshes and significant birdwatching opportunities. The reserve supports a population of wintering wildfowl and waders.
- Visitors also love Exe Estuary Trail boardwalk, a cycle way that provides spectacular views of the Estuary. This section of the trail is mainly flat and well-surfaced, making it suitable for families.
- Budleigh Salterton is known for its coastal trails, nature reserves, and historical sites. The region offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from geological formations to wildlife habitats.
- The attractions around Budleigh Salterton are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 200 upvotes and 12 photos shared across 10 highlights.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Exe Estuary Trail
Highlight • Trail
Well surfaced and ideal for any type of bike as well as walkers and runners. Be mindful of other users, especially when it's busier at the weekends and holidays.
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Exe Estuary Trail boardwalk
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Otter Estuary Nature Reserve
Highlight (Segment) • Natural Monument
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Orcombe Point and the Geoneedle
Highlight • Viewpoint
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Cockwood Harbour
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Popular around Budleigh Salterton
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Tips from the Community
Look out for an entrance onto a footpath on your right, which follows beside the railway tracks on your left, and the exe estuary on your right. The path is too narrow for cycling but great for walking and running.
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Beautiful walk and perfect opportunity to see wildlife
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If you plan ahead, or if you are lucky, you can walk along the beach around Orcombe point when it is low tide. And from down here you are given a different perspective of the red cliffs of the jurrasic coast. The red sandstone cliif tower above you and boulders lay strewn across the beach from landslides in decades gone by. Continue walking the beach, being wedged between the sea and cliffs, but with plenty of space not to scare you, until you reach the slope up to Sandy bay park. Lots of refreshments await you, and the firework sound of gun fire, on a day when the troops test their rifles.
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check the tide. If it's low you can walk back along the. beach. Nice cliffs with plenty of caves and boulders to explore and scramble over.
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Devon, England that marks the start of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The Geoneedle represents the rock types found along the Jurassic Coast. It was commissioned from artist Michael Fairfax and unveiled by the Prince of Wales in 2002.
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Orcombe Point is a coastal feature near Exmouth, The two beaches are part of a long strip of sand and are connected to each other below Orcombe Point at low tide. Sited high upon the hill, Orcombe Point is marked by the "Geoneedle", which was unveiled by Prince Charles, in 2002. The Geoneedle is constructed from a variety of different stones, representing both the major building stones to be found on the Jurassic Coast and the sequence of rocks that form this part of the coastline.
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With over 120 species of bird recorded on the site, the River Otter Estuary Nature Reserve is the perfect place for bird watching. The estuary covers around 33 hectares and is a designated site of Special Scientific Interest. The Otter Estuary has an intertidal habitat of mudflats and saltmarshes, making it an ideal home for a number of fish, birds and other marine life. If you have a keen eye, you can often spot things such as mud shrimps and a host of wading birds like the Ringed Plover, Curlew, Black tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Redshank and Brent Goose. Occasionally, you’ll find rarer birds including avocet and glossy ibis. Whatever time of year you visit, you’ll spot something new depending on the birds migratory habits, so every trip is a unique experience. As well as birds, the estuary is a great place for spotting otters and is home to England’s first population of native wild beavers. Around ten years ago, beavers reappeared on the River Otter and now there is a happy and healthy colony of beavers living at the estuary. While visiting, be sure to follow these guidelines: Be considerate of other users, make way when paths are narrow and be quiet and respectful when exploring Take all your litter with you Do not approach any wildlife Keep dogs under control, especially around other people and wildlife Always bag and bin dog waste Cycling is not permitted Watersports are only for the beach, not the estuary to protect wildlife, so please launch any boards or paddles from the beach. Only use the designated areas for BBQs and picnics
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Nice flat cycle path. But gets VERY busy with 2 wheeled, 2 legged and 4 legged visitors in the summer months. Watch how you go.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best walking trails around Budleigh Salterton?
Budleigh Salterton offers a variety of walking trails. The Exe Estuary Trail provides a traffic-free path suitable for walkers and cyclists, offering fantastic views. You can also explore the South West Coast Path, which runs through Budleigh Salterton, with popular routes heading east towards Sidmouth or west towards Exmouth. For specific hiking routes, you can find options like the River Otter loop or the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve loop in the Easy hikes around Budleigh Salterton guide.
Are there easy or accessible walks in the area?
Yes, the Exe Estuary Trail boardwalk is mainly flat and well-surfaced, making it suitable for families, less fit individuals, and potentially wheelchair users. The overall Exe Estuary Trail is also well-surfaced and ideal for walkers. Many of the routes listed in the Easy hikes around Budleigh Salterton guide are graded as easy.
Where can I go birdwatching near Budleigh Salterton?
The Otter Estuary Nature Reserve is an excellent spot for birdwatching. The marshes around the River Otter support a significant population of wintering wildfowl and waders, including redshank, common sandpiper, curlew, and red-breasted merganser. There's even a birdwatcher's hut, and reed warblers, sedge warblers, and reed buntings breed on the site.
What natural features can I explore along the coast?
Budleigh Salterton is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. You can explore the two-mile pebble beach, known for its unique 'Budleigh Buns' pebbles and striking red cliffs. The red Triassic sandstone cliffs, particularly west of the promenade and at Otterton Point, are geologically significant. Further west, Orcombe Point and the Geoneedle mark the most westerly point of the Jurassic Coast, offering impressive red-colored steep walls.
Can I go cycling near Budleigh Salterton?
Yes, cycling is a popular activity. The Exe Estuary Trail is a 22.5-mile (36-km), mainly flat cycle route and walkway linking Exmouth, Exeter, and Dawlish. It's predominantly off-road and offers fantastic views. For more cycling options, including moderate routes, check out the Cycling around Budleigh Salterton guide.
What historical sites can I visit in Budleigh Salterton?
You can visit the Fairlynch Museum & Arts Centre, housed in a charming thatched-roof cottage, which showcases Budleigh Salterton's history, geology, and fishing heritage. The nearby village of East Budleigh is the birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh, where you can see his pew in the local church. The Octagon, a distinctive dwelling in Budleigh Salterton, was once the residence of Pre-Raphaelite painter Sir John Everett Millais.
Are there any unique cultural attractions nearby?
A short distance inland, Otterton Mill is a working watermill known for its artisan breads, cheeses, and crafts. Another unique site is A La Ronde, a quirky 16-sided National Trust property located between Exmouth and Lympstone, filled with items collected by two sisters from their travels.
Are there family-friendly attractions around Budleigh Salterton?
Beyond the beach and easy walks, the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve is family-friendly, offering opportunities to spot wildlife. The Exe Estuary Trail is also suitable for families. For a dedicated family day out, the World of Country Life is a nearby attraction with over 30 acres of activities.
What is the best time of year to visit Budleigh Salterton?
Budleigh Salterton is charming year-round. Summer offers ideal conditions for beach activities, swimming, and watersports like paddleboarding. Spring and autumn are excellent for walking and birdwatching, with milder temperatures and fewer crowds. Even winter walks along the coast or through the nature reserves can be beautiful and serene.
Where can I find dog-friendly trails?
Many of the outdoor areas around Budleigh Salterton are dog-friendly, especially the coastal paths and the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths. It's always recommended to keep dogs under control, especially in nature reserves like the Otter Estuary, to protect wildlife. Specific routes can be found in guides like Easy hikes around Budleigh Salterton.
What do visitors particularly enjoy about the Exe Estuary Trail?
Visitors love the Exe Estuary Trail for its traffic-free path between Topsham and Exton, which is well-surfaced and ideal for any type of bike, as well as walkers and runners. The boardwalk section offers spectacular views of the Estuary and is noted for being suitable for families or less experienced cyclists.
What makes the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve special for visitors?
The Otter Estuary Nature Reserve is special due to its rich birdlife, supporting a significant population of wintering wildfowl and waders. It's also a unique place to potentially spot beavers, which have been reintroduced as part of a conservation initiative. The deck route around the salt marshes and the birdwatcher's hut enhance the visitor experience.
Most popular routes around Budleigh Salterton
Most popular attractions around Budleigh Salterton
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