Beer to Branscombe Coast Path Loop

I first published this walk 6 years ago, but have recently enjoyed walking it again. This is an updated version of the original walk, with changes put in place where necessary, as the under cliffs are currently closed off due to a landslip.

This walk along the East Devon stretch of the South West Coast Path from Beer to Branscombe is quite easy to follow as there are very clear signposts and paths leading you in the right direction. We love this stretch of the South West Coast Path, Beer and Branscombe are both beautiful, small villages, with fishing boats moored on the pebble beaches. I’ve written a post before about Branscombe (here) and I’ll do another post in the near future about Beer as it deserves its own post. It’s such a lovely little village to stroll round, visiting the independent shops and sitting in one of the deck chairs having an ice cream or chips on the beach, watching the fishing boats go out to sea.

Views of Beer’s white cliffs.

We started this walk by parking in the main car park (Clapp’s Lane) in Beer as we first went down to the beach to have some lunch, but we resisted the urge to get an ice cream, instead promising ourselves we would have one once we reached Branscombe. If you aren’t planning on visiting the village or if there’s no space in the main car park, then there’s a larger one right by the start of the coast path called Cliff Top car park. To reach the coast path from Beer Beach, we walked past our favourite pub in the village, ‘The Anchor Inn’ and walked up Common Lane. From here we had beautiful views of Beer Beach, its white cliffs and the coastline over the well kept gardens, belonging to the beautiful terraced houses on the other side of this road. Once half way up this hill we then turned down a lane on our left called Little Lane. From here it leads us past the bigger car park I mentioned earlier, and a caravan park on our right. Going through a gate, and into a field, this lane joins onto the coast path.

For those of you who enjoy geocaching, there are some great ones along this route all the way to Branscombe. We actually ended up finding some of the ones we couldn’t find last time we walked this route, though it can be hard sometimes as this path can get fairly popular, so you need to have a lot of stealth!

Views of Beer and Seaton from the coast path.

As we carried on along the coast path the views just kept getting better, we did this walk on a hot, sunny day, but a word of warning, be prepared that there’s a steep hill on the way back from Branscombe, which can be made a lot more strenuous in the heat. There’s also a section of rather steep steps if you descend the cliff path, but the rest of the walk is rather easy going and the views make it even more enjoyable.

A lovely spot to sit and take in the views.

Views of Branscombe beach from the coast path.

The lower path takes you through twists and turns with the white cliffs on your right, and there’s a short cut to the Eastern side of the beach when you reach the end of this path. However, there are quite a few steps on this path, whereas if you choose the high path it’s just through several fields then down one set of steps and then down East Cliff hill.

Some of the steps you’ll encounter along the lower path.

Both paths offer the beautiful views of the coastline and are clearly marked on how to get to the beach. Once we reached the end of the lower path, we could have walked further which would take us out to the bottom of the hill before the car park at Branscombe, instead we chose to enter the beach by a path on our left. This took us to the Eastern end of the beach. Note: The under cliffs section is currently closed due to a landslip, there is a sign on the kissing gate stating a closure until October 2026. The section that is closed is Hooken Undercliff, through the holiday park that arrives at the car park. There is a clear sign and barrier at the point where you cannot currently access. Taking the lower path to exit at Branscombe beach is possible but be aware you cannot access the beach at high tide.

The Eastern end of Branscombe beach.

This part of the pebble beach is a lot quieter than the main stretch close to the car park. We decided to sit here for a bit and watch a few dogs enjoying the water as the waves crashed against the pebbles. After a while, we carried on our walk towards ‘The Sea Shanty beach cafe’ by the car park and the entrance to the beach, it’s a short walk along the beach to get here. This is the only cafe by the beach, but it has a good variety of food and drink options, including a good choice of ice creams which is what we came for!

The Eastern end of Branscombe beach is always a lot quieter.

We sat and watched the waves crashing against the pebbles.

The busier part of the beach, with The Sea Shanty Beach cafe to the right.

After having an ice cream and relaxing in the sun, we decided we had better start climbing the hill back onto the coast path, to return to Beer. From the Sea Shanty cafe, there’s an entrance to the hill ahead through a gate by the mouth of the river that’s just to the side of the car park. Look for the massive hill, it is hard to miss!

We sat and had an ice cream, while looking at the hill we were about to climb.

The hill does have some benches you can rest on if need be, we sat and looked at the views of the beach below before continuing on our walk, up some steps then through more fields which eventually took us back to Beer. Along the way we spotted what used to be Beer’s old historic lookout building, which has since been updated and turned into a rather impressive three-storey holiday let. From here, we ignored the gate and cattle grid ahead, and instead turned right and walked down towards some hedges, (full of blackberries!) and through a gate to continue along the coast path.

The views of Branscombe village, beach and coastline from the top of the hill.

This walk took us about 3 hours to do, but we did it at a leisurely pace. It’s best to give yourself plenty of time, as I’ve said before the hill and steps can be quite strenuous! The stunning coastal views really do make up for the hard work involved on some parts of the coast path though. Both beaches are dog friendly, Beer does have restrictions in place for certain areas (clearly marked) during peak season, but the whole of Branscombe beach is dog friendly all year round. If you are taking a dog on this walk, please bear in mind that there are steep drops from the cliff side so be very careful dogs don’t run off the edge, and as always, keep dogs under strict control around any livestock you may encounter (we walked through fields with sheep and cattle in them).

Views of Seaton from the coast path on the way back to Beer.

Budleigh Salterton Coast Path - River Otter Loop

This coastal walk starts in Budleigh Salterton Lime Kiln Car Park (what3words ///cargo.warms.chariots) and is just under 6 miles/9.6km long. It will take you alongside the River Otter at the beginning and end of the walk, so great for the wildlife lovers. Sturdy footwear is advised, but in the drier months I’ve done this walk in trainers. There are no cafe stops or toilets along the way, but both are available on the seafront close to the car park.

The view of Budleigh Pines over the Otter Estuary

The Path leading from the car park

From the car park, take the bridge over the Otter Estuary which will then join a gravel path with wetland on the left and reed beds on the right. We usually spot grey heron, little egrets and sometimes kingfishers along this stretch, as well as hearing the loud call of the cetti’s warbler, goldfinches and the noisy black headed gulls. Once you reach the end of this stretch of path, turn right, taking the route signposted ‘Coast Path, Ladram Bay 3m’. Here you’ll be walking over a bridge, keep to the right as you walk round the bend where you’ll then arrive at a road leading to Pynes Farm Shop. Ignore the entrance to the farm shop, instead turn right up a footpath alongside a field with another signpost for ‘Coast Path’. In the summer months, keep an eye out for swallows and house martins that dip down over the water by the bridge and fly over the reed beds and fields in this area.

At the end of this path, turn right to join the coast path

Views over the bridge, on summer evenings, Swallows gather here

This path will take you down some steps, over a little bridge and up into another field. Sometimes you can spot Skylarks flying above these fields where they ground nest, or rabbits running off into the undergrowth to the right once they notice you. Eventually you arrive at the top where the iconic Budleigh pine trees proudly stand on the right, it’s worth taking in the views of Budleigh beach before carrying on following the path, now to the left.

A view of Budleigh seafront from the coast path

Stunning views from the coast path

As you follow the coast path, you’ll pass a cove, on a clear day you should be able to see views in the distance of the rest of East Devon from Sidmouth and all the way along to the Dorset Coastline including the Isle of Portland. The terrain along this stretch of the walk will start to get a bit challenging, with a lovely hill to walk up. You will soon be rewarded for your efforts with some benches to rest on when you arrive at Brandy Head Observation Post (which is now available to book as a holiday stay). Take advantage of reading the interesting information boards about the local wildlife here and the history of the observation post before setting off again on the coast path.

Looking back at Budleigh beach and Pines

Enjoying the view from Brandy Head Observation Post

As you continue on the now narrow coast path, be careful of uneven stones underfoot, but do enjoy the sea views with Ladram Bay Stacks coming into view now. Once you arrive at a forked path with a finger post, turn left following the path pointing towards ‘River Otter’, this path is fairly shaded by the trees; very welcoming on a hot summer’s day. Once you pass through a metal gate at the end, it will open up into a small car park for the nearby treatment works. Continue along the gravel path and when you get to the end, turn left where the sign points to ‘unmetalled road’. As you reach the end of this road, turn right down another public footpath, this part does feel like it goes on for a while, but take the opportunity to listen and look out for birds and other wildlife. We saw a buzzard, plenty of butterflies (the hummingbird hawk moth being our favourite), heard chattering goldfinches flying over and a dragonfly kept darting along the path in front of us.

Coastal views and Ladram Bay Stacks

Leaving the coast path towards the River Otter

Once you arrive at a crossroads by a barn interestingly named ‘WH.Smith’, take the shaded path to the left that states ‘½ mile to Clamour bridge’; this will soon ttake us back on to the River Otter path. As you reach the end, pass through both gates and carry on following the track round the field boundary where you’ll meet another gate at the end. From here, turn right and walk up the slight incline until you arrive at two brick pillars, take the steps to the left and cross the bridge over the River Otter. Once over the bridge, turn left and continue on the dusty path keeping the river on your left.

A shaded path close to the river

The steps down to Clamour Bridge

After a while of walking alongside the river, you’ll reach the end of this path, arriving at a gate. From here you can choose which way to head back. I’ll be choosing the path straight ahead, but you can also choose to turn right, and follow the path past the bird hides which then leads to the other side of the reserve. Around this area I’ve spotted Spoonbill and an Osprey before, have a look at the newsletter on the information board informing you of what wildlife has been seen here recently. Whichever way you choose to walk, you’ll soon arrive at South Farm Road Bridge (which has always been known as white bridge), if you chose the left path, you should now recognise the path at the beginning of the walk. Both ways will now take you back to the car park where there are toilets and a cafe available along the seafront, as well as a play park in the car park.

Swans on the River Otter

One of the Bird hides on the Otter Estuary Reserve

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