South West Coast Path: Jurassic Coast

Welcome to Devon and the town of Budleigh Salterton! If you’re arriving by train, the closest stations are Honiton (12 miles) or Exmouth (5 miles). Budleigh Salterton is an unspoiled and charming town on the Jurassic Coast, which is a World Heritage Site. It offers a variety of shopping options and other attractions, as well as a two-mile pebble beach.

You can also choose to start your trip from Exmouth, as this larger city has easier transportation options. The option extends your first day of walking, but it gives you the opportunity to see the “Geoneedle” that marks the beginning of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Your tour begins with a long day of walking, beginning in Budleigh Salterton. You can warm up with an easier start, and the end is also easy, but the middle is an arduous walk. It is also possible to shorten the walk by taking a taxi or public transportation to Sidmouth but be aware that you will miss some amazing coastline views.

As you leave Budleigh Salterton, follow the path immediately inland in order to cross the marsh by the mouth of the River Otter, then return to the coast. A gradual but easy climb takes you along the cliffs until you reach Ladram Bay, then continues past High Peak (156 m / 512 ft) without going up to the summit. Continue along the trail through several wooded stretches to arrive in Sidmouth, which is a great place to stop for refreshments.

When you’re ready, keep following the coast and the ups and downs of the trail and you’ll come to Branscombe. Here in this lovely little village you can find a forge that is believed to be one of the oldest in the country. From here, the trail winds up to the clifftop to Beer Head which offers wonderful views of Beer and Seaton. Make your way down to the village of Seaton for a well-deserved night of rest after a long day.

Today’s route leads you through one of the few extensive woodland areas on the whole South West Coast Path. When you leave Seaton, you’ll cross the bridge over the River Axe and return to the cliff line in a place called Haven Cliff. While manageable, the stretch of trail between Seaton and Lyme Regis is tough and can take several hours. You’ll pass a fascinating landform called “Undercliff”, formed by a landslide in 1839 in which approximately 8 million tons of rock and soil slid out to sea and a large chasm was opened.

The beautiful, uncultivated terrain surrounding the path continues all along the path to Lyme Regis, a historic town that received its charter in 1284. It is well-known for its old buildings and high fossil density. From here, follow the path as it takes you inland, bypassing the area known as The Spittles, then on to the town of Charmouth, where you can choose to stop for some rest and refreshments. The trail remains inland for a while, crossing small streams and passing through woodland areas, before returning to the cliff line and following to Seatown. Enjoy a pleasant night’s stay in this small but unspoiled village.

In case you’re starting to get tired, today is a much more restful day. Though it starts with a few climbs up and down on the cliffs, it soon becomes mainly level, easy paths on the beach or through fields.

Just after leaving Seatown, you’ll follow the coast along the cliff path. Pass Eype Mouth, a break in the cliff line where the River Eype meets the sea, and West Bay, once an important harbor that faded after the railroad came to the nearby town of Bridport. Here the more leisurely route begins as you drop down to Burton Beach and continue to Cogden Beach and Chesil Beach. Leave the coast here and head inland past Chapel Hill and continue to Abbotsbury. While only a small fragment of the original 600-year-old abbey remains, it is lovely to see. You may also enjoy a tour of the Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens. Spend the night here in Abbotsbury.

The route to Ferrybridge is an easy and gentle walk. Begin by heading inland from Abbotsbury to reach Linton Hill, then continue across areas of farmland and through wooded areas. Enjoy this varied landscape until you reach Wyke Wood, after which the path returns to the coast. Trace the edge of West Fleet, a large, natural, tidal lagoon hidden behind the well-known Chesil Beach. Walk along the bank of the lagoon, then choose either to take a short detour in to Langton Herring village for a bite to eat, or to continue your walk past East Fleet. Continue until you reach Ferrybridge, at the end of the lagoon, where you will spend the night.

Leave Ferrybridge and head for Weymouth, where you’ll encounter the ruins of Sandsfoot Castle, from the 16th Century, on the coast of the town. As you continue walking, you’ll pass Nothe Fort at the end of the Nothe Peninsula. From here you must cross the water, either by short ferry ride or by crossing the bridge, which takes a few minutes longer. Continue walking, and you will pass Weymouth, Osmington Mills, Ringstead Bay and the Holworth House as you head toward Lulworth Cove. Just before reaching Lulworth Cove, you’ll see landmarks such as Durdle Door, Dungy Head, and Stair Hole.

Lulworth Cove is one of the highlights of the South West Coast Path and you will have plenty of time to explore this scenic and unique area because this is your stop for the night.

Today is the longest day of walking on this tour and covers most of the distance you have remaining in your trip. There are few opportunities to purchase refreshments today, and few landmarks along the way, so plan accordingly.

Follow the trail as it traces the coastline, rising and falling with the coastal terrain. Pass Mupe Bay and Worbarrow Way, before coming to Clavell Tower. This tower was built in 1830 but was too close to the edge of the cliff and it was threatened by erosion. It was moved inland by dismantling it and reassembling it in its new home. The process took two years, from 2006-2008. Continue your walk along the beautiful Kimmeridge Ledges, then head inland at the magnificent Houns-tout Cliff. Follow the trail around St. Alban’s Head all the way to Durlston Head, a distance of several miles. Near Durlston Head, the village of Swanage is your destination for this leg of the tour.

Today is the shortest day of the tour, which allows you to finish your trip with a leisurely pace. Begin on the Swanage promenade, up the distinctive white chalk cliffs where you’ll find a fantastic view of the Old Harry Rocks. Looking out across the Poole Bay, in the distance you can glimpse the town of Bournemouth and the Isle of Wight. Descend down the slope into Studland and choose between walking along the Studland Bay beach or crossing the heather-filled sand dunes further back from the water. The beach walk ends at South Haven Point where you can catch the ferry into the town of Poole. You should have plenty of time to explore this wonderful town with its fantastic, wide beach. The largest natural harbor in Europe is found here in Poole. Relax and enjoy, knowing you have completed your incredible walking tour.

Sadly, your South West Coast Path walking tour of the Jurassic Coast has come to an end. Trains from Poole can take you to Southampton, Reading, or London and beyond. Have a pleasant journey!