With this beautiful weather we’ve been having lately, we thought we would take a trip to one of our favourite places in East Devon; the village of Branscombe. We’ve been quite a few times, but we wanted to explore the area more, instead of doing our usual walk along the beach then to the pub (which are all sadly closed at the moment!).

Views of Branscombe beach from the coast path.

This circular walk we did starts off at the main car park in Branscombe, right by the beach. We first enjoyed a picnic on the beach in the sunshine, then started on our walk towards the village. From the beach, we followed a public footpath to the left of ‘The Sea Shanty Beach Cafe’. and followed a path along side a stream which flows from the village into the sea.

I can imagine the stream is popular with dogs going in for a dip to cool down on a hot day like today, as there was quite a lot of worn down tracks leading to the water. It’s also handy to note on this walk there were a few picnic benches dotting around, so if you wanted a quiet place to sit and have a picnic away from the busy beach, this path, alive with meadow flowers and birds singing would be perfect.

We followed the path straight ahead, past the Manor Mill which is owned and run by the National Trust. Here there were sheep grazing in the field with their curious lambs watching us as we walked by. There were also doves cooing on a barn roof to the right. I stopped for a moment to watch the lambs playing before carrying on towards a kissing gate.

After we left the trail through the gate, we continued to follow the stream straight ahead and onto a road where we were greeted with the thatched roof of the National Trust Forge. Despite Branscombe being well known for its many quaint little cottages, the Forge definitely stands out amongst the others. Reading a little about the Forge on a notice board, it is known to be the oldest working forge in Devon, and was built around 1580.

Branscombe Forge, blacksmiths here make decorative ironworks to sell.

As we turned left towards the hill, we admired some of the ironwork the blacksmiths had made at the Forge and had on display outside. You can just about make out in the picture above, the gate on display to the left, which had decorative bluebells on it.

Forge Cottage, available to let through the National Trust.

As we continued up the hill, on the opposite side to the Forge is the Forge Cottage, a big yellow thatched cottage which I believe is a holiday let. It definitely stood out amongst all the other houses. As we walked up the hill I took one last look down the road, and couldn’t resist one last photo of the cottage and forge together before carrying on with our walk.

With the sun bearing down on us, we decided to take a break once we got to the top of the hill, but first we admired some more beautiful cottages along the roadside, this is one of the roads out of Branscombe I always remember, the cottages are all decorated with beautiful flowers which really bring out the character of Branscombe.

One of the beautiful cottages in Branscombe.

Once we walked past these cottages, we found a bench by the village church, St Winifred’s. We sat here for a drink and took in the views down into the valley and admired some more cottages as we walked further along the road. As well as the cottages, a garden just up from the church really stands out as you walk past, its called ‘Doreen’s Garden’, I assume because its owned by a lady called Doreen! She lets people walk around this garden for free, but does ask for any donations to Devon Air ambulance. We didn’t walk around the garden today, but next time we visit I definitely want to, especially when our little girl will be old enough to enjoy the full colour of the flowers, ornaments and the doves cooing above in the dovecote.

Just a small section of Doreen’s impressive and intriguing garden.

Once we walked past all these pretty cottages, we then approached a public footpath on the left. We didn’t follow this route, instead we carried on towards yet more cute cottages, and towards the Fountain Head Pub. Normally, it would be a perfect place to take a break and grab a bite to eat, but today it is of course, like every other pub, closed due to the pandemic currently happening, so we sadly had to walk past and remember it will soon be back to business and open again to enjoy.

Some more beautiful cottages Branscombe has to offer, and the Fountain Head in the background.

We turned left at the pub, and once we had rejoined another road, we needed to find a footpath sign heading towards the coast. We first walked up the hill, as we couldn’t easily see the sign, but once we were up the hill, and failed to see it, we walked down again and realised it was in fact slightly down the road, hidden by a hedge. If you decide to do this walk, don’t make the same mistake as us!

This footpath takes you up towards a trail shaded by trees and surrounded by wild garlic, which welcomes you with a National Trust sign informing you it is called ‘Pit Coppice’. We followed this path for a while until it then leads you through another gate and into an open meadow. We followed this path all the way along until we reached a signpost pointing us to the left, back towards Branscombe.

Once turning left towards the coast path, you’ll follow another trail for a short while, it will boast beautiful views of Branscombe village to the left when it opens out into a field occupied by cows. Carry on walking the trail and eventually you’ll spot a lookout point to your right, which teases you with views of the blue sea and Branscombe pebble beach below.

The view of the sea and Branscombe beach from the coast path.

We carried on this coast path until it opens out to beautiful views of Branscombe beach and the cliffs beyond. You can also see the green hills that are part of the coast path leading to Beer. We’ve done that walk before, and although quite strenuous it is worth doing for the views and feeling of accomplishment. Here there is a bench you can sit and take in the views before heading down towards the beach.

Beautiful views of Branscombe beach and the coast path to Beer.

The walk was now quite easy going as we walked down some steps and through a gate into a field of grazing cows with their calves. From here we followed the path along side a beautiful house on the hill, and soon spotted the familiar beach huts and the pebble beach infront of us.

Beautiful houses on a hill overlooking the beach.

From here we had one last look at the beach, I love the iconic fishing boat that’s always here, representing Branscombe beach well. As we walked back to the car we were reminded of the shipwreck that happened on the beach in 2007 with the anchor of MSC Napoli that now sits at the entrance to the pebble beach greeting everyone who walks by. For anyone who hasn’t visited Branscombe before, its definitely worth a visit, the drive into the village is narrow country roads, but the character this East Devon village has to offer is a must see.

Branscombe beach with the iconic anchor and fishing boat.

It’s been a while since I’ve updated this website, mainly due to other commitments getting in the way (work and a new baby!), but I’m hoping to stay updated on this website again now, especially with the current situation in place with a global pandemic, I’ve found a little bit of spare time.

I’ve started with a fairly local walk, it’s one of my favourites, but also due to the restrictions we’ve recently had, I’ve been revisting more local areas since the rules have been relaxed. This walk from Otterton to Ladram Bay rarely gets that busy; I think its mainly local people who walk it, as most people who come to Ladram Bay tend to park closer. This walk is great for those of you who enjoy walking the country lanes and coast path, as it can include both, you can make it a circular walk too, as there’s plenty of routes you can choose to get to the Bay. It offers beautiful views of the coast and countryside, and on a clear day you can see the red and white cliffs of the East Devon Coast line.

I tend to start this walk by parking along one of the side roads off of Fore Street. Normally Maunder’s Hill by the local primary school, as there is plenty of parking along the street here, and it can lead straight up to the public footpaths heading to the Bay. Once parked up, I usually head up the the road and turn left onto the road named Behind Hayes, this route is quicker to the coast and a bit easier to do than the longer ones walking all the way up Maunder’s Hill. Along this road be sure to appreciate the beautiful country houses and chocolate box cottages that Otterton has to offer, then at the end of the road, turn right which will take you up to Stantyway Farm. This farm is part of Clinton Devon Estate, if you look to your right (once lockdown is over) you’ll see the ‘Honesty Cafe’ that Stantyway Farm have provided, which hosts a small selection of cakes and refreshments for you to help yourself to, in return for a donation. They even have dog biscuits so your four legged friends don’t feel left out!

Be sure you take in the beautiful views of East Devon countryside from this viewpoint, before heading left down a public footpath towards the Bay. For those of you who don’t fancy a longer walk, you can park up by the farm around the green, although parking is limited and may get busy at certain times of the year. As you walk past Otterton recreation ground, you’ll follow a country lane that leads to a beautiful thatched cottage on your left.

A beautiful thatched cottage on the way to the coast.

When you see this cottage, you know you’re on the right track, and are about to be treated to beautiful views of Ladram Bay once you walk down the public footpath to your right. On this walk, you’ll notice signs on a lot of the gates that explain what is growing in the fields, these fields belong to a local farm shop called ‘Greendale’ which is worth a visit if you haven’t been before.

Greendale farm sheep grazing in a field, overlooking Ladram Bay.

You’ll soon see a kissing gate that leads you to the field that boasts beautiful views of Ladram Bay and beyond. On a clear day you can see Sidmouth, Weston mouth, Salcombe Regis and Branscombe in the distance. Pass this kissing gate and follow the path on the outside of the field all the way round and down towards Ladram Bay Holiday park. There is normally cattle or sheep grazing in these fields, so be sure to keep dogs on leads, especially when it’s lambing season. Greendale Farm will put a sign on the gate before you enter this field, warning you if there are any livestock grazing.

Thatched cottage on the way down to Ladram Bay.

Once you leave this field, you’ll enter Ladram Bay Holiday Park, follow the signs that lead you down towards the beach. Be aware that the beach itself is not dog friendly, however the coast paths and adjoining exercise fields are. The pebble beach is a short walk down a slope with a beautiful thatched cottage on the left, there’s also an ice cream shack and public toilets just before you reach the beach, which are available to use during the peak season.

Be sure to sit and enjoy this lovely little Bay, especially in the off season when it’s not bustling with holiday makers. Ladram Bay is a popular holiday park which is usually always busy during the summer, one benefit of this is ‘The Three Rocks’ restaurant and bar which is open to the public and has a lot of tasty locally sourced food to offer. I’ve written previously about the walk we did from Ladram Bay to Peak Hill, which is definitely worth doing too.

Ladram Bay isn’t just popular with holiday makers, each time I visit there’s normally a few people kayaking or paddle boarding around the stacks. We’ve also taken our kayaks here before, during the winter season when parking is free at Ladram Bay (between November and March). When I visited last week, there was even a few people braving the water, going for a swim.

Ladram Bay, popular with Kayakers and Paddle boarders.

Once ready to leave the beach, follow the same path that leads back to the field to the left. You can then make your way back the same way you came, or carry on straight ahead towards the coast path to Budleigh Salterton. Don’t worry, there’s a path on the right that then leads back towards Otterton from this coast path, so you don’t have to walk all the way to Budleigh.

The coast path from Ladram Bay leading to Otterton and Budleigh Salterton.

Follow this coast path which has beautiful views of rolling hills to the right and the blue sea to the left, and eventually you’ll see a footpath sign that informs you to turn right down a path towards Otterton. Follow this path, and be sure to look back towards the bay, and take in the glorious surrounding views of the coast and countryside.

Looking back at the views of the Jurassic Coast.

Follow this path all the way round, past a South West Water plant, and eventually onto Stantyway Road again; here you can turn right which will take you back towards where Stantyway Farm is, or turn left and walk further down the lane into Otterton. For those of you who enjoy geocaching, Otterton has quite a few to offer including a great circular walk along the coast path, country lanes and River Otter walk. I like a long circular walk, so I chose to turn left and walk down the country lanes that eventually lead me back towards my parking spot on Maunder’s Hill.

Along this lane, you’ll eventually see a sign pointing left towards the River Otter and a cow shed on the right; Don’t turn left, but walk past the cow shed and follow the lane that will soon become a hill but then descends into Otterton. Be sure to take a look at the views of the countryside over the farm gates, and listen out for pheasants as they run through the fields.

The River Otter Path to the left, the Cow Shed to the right.

Eventually you’ll see a lane to the right that leads back towards Stantyway Farm, ignore this path and carry on down towards Otterton. You’ll soon leave the fields behind and be greeted with houses and cottages as you descend into Otterton. If you parked on Maunder’s Hill, carry on walking down this road and you’ll soon be back to where you started. You’ll also see St Michael’s church on the left. If you don’t know Otterton very well, then be sure to visit The King’s Arms pub and Otterton Mill for a drink or cream tea. I do this walk a lot, but tend to mix it up a little bit each time, by taking a different path, or walking along the river towards Budleigh Salterton or Colaton Raleigh, all these paths are clearly signed for those of you unfamiliar with the area, so give it a go and enjoy exploring Otterton.

Views of Ladram Bay and the Jurassic Coast.

Branscombe Circular Walk

Otterton to Ladram Bay Stroll