Sidmouth: Coast & River - a short walk using the South West Coast Path



Short Walks (up to one day) Suitable for Wildlife Suitable for Scenery
Walk name: Sidmouth: Coast & River
: Muttersmoor car park
Finish location: Muttersmoor car park
Distance: 11 miles (18km)
Grade Moderate
Terrain Generally easy going, but with one steep descent and one steep ascent.
Circular Walk: Yes
Free from obstacles & steep gradients: No

Walk description:

Walk out to the cliff top at Peak Hill and then along the coast to High Peak. Remember to look back for superb views over Sidmouth and beyond to the white cliffs at Beer Head. As you descend steeply from Peak Hill take in the ruggedly beautiful Ladram stacks. These pinnacles provide homes for cormorants, terns and various species of gull.

From Ladram the route is more level but still offers superb views of the coast and inland. Pass beyond Brandy Head – its name hinting of previous smuggling activity - and Danger Point, before reaching the mouth of the Otter. Before following the estuary inland, you’ll pass a Second World War Pill Box that has been converted to a bat hibernaculum. The estuary is good for bird watching, and there is a bird hide nestling in the woods above the river.

After reaching White Bridge, follow the Otter upstream through open farmland with the striking river cliffs to your right hand side topped with natural woodland. Leave the river at a footbridge near the village of Colaton Raleigh and join a narrow road at Burnthouse Farm. Follow it for a few hundred yards northwards before turning right on to Passaford Lane. This ancient sunken Devon track way, climbs steeply eventually passing through woodland and up onto Mutters Moor, an area of ancient lowland heath.

You may be lucky enough to spot a Dartford Warbler here. The moor was named after Sam Mutter, a celebrated smuggler who sailed out of Sidmouth. He is reputed to have taken his contraband into Exeter by wagon hidden under turfs and faggots cut from the heath. The walk from here is level and returns you to the car park.

Public transport information:
This walk could be followed by starting at Otterton which has a regular bus service, or from Sidmouth but this last option would mean an additional steep ascent at the start of the day. For details visit Traveline or phone 0871 200 2233
Toilets:
Ladram Bay and Otterton
Nearest Car parks:
Peak Hill, Sidmouth (Postcode for Sat Nav:EX10 0NW), Lime Kiln Budleigh Salterton (Postcode for Sat Navs: EX9 6JD).
Nearest refreshments:
Ladram Bay and Otterton
Further Information:
Tourist Information Centres at Sidmouth (01395 516441) and Budleigh Salterton (01395 445275).
OS Explorer Map number: 155


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PICTURE: View to Sidmouth
View to Sidmouth

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Click map to enlarge This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. The Countryside Agency. Licence Number: 100018881
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  • Sidmouth - Valley, Ridge and Jurassic CoastSidmouth - Valley, Ridge and Jurassic Coast
  • Distance: 6 miles (9km)
  • Walk description: Sidmouth is an attractive seaside town on the coast of East Devon. Situated on the floor of the valley of the River Sid where it meets the sea, it is flanked on both sides by high ridges which both contain the town and give it its scenic backdrop.
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  • Otterton - Peak and ValleyOtterton - Peak and Valley
  • Distance: 6 miles (10km)
  • Walk description: Otterton sits near the mouth of the river which gives it its name. Between the towns of Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth, it is just inland of the renowned Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
  • View details »


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