Budleigh Salterton to Ladram Bay Coastal Walk

4.7 miles (7.5 km)

The walk from Budleigh Salterton to Ladram Bay is a stunning section of the South West Coast Path that spans approximately 2.5 miles each way and takes about an hour to complete. Starting at the eastern end of Budleigh’s distinctive pebble beach near the mouth of the River Otter, the trail begins with a steady ascent onto the high sandstone cliffs.... This initial climb rewards walkers with an expansive view back across the Jurassic Coast toward Sidmouth and the white chalk cliffs of Beer in the far distance.
As you follow the well-marked path, you move along the dramatic red Triassic cliffs, which are famously vibrant against the blue of the English Channel. The terrain is a mix of open grassy clifftops and occasional sheltered sections bordered by gorse and wildflowers. This stretch is particularly renowned for its geological significance, as the crumbling rock faces reveal millions of years of earth's history. You will pass several lookout points that offer bird's-eye views of the secluded "Stacks"—massive pillars of red sandstone that have been isolated from the mainland by centuries of coastal erosion.
The final approach involves a descent toward Ladram Bay, a private holiday park nestled in a sheltered cove. The bay is instantly recognisable by its two towering sea stacks that sit just offshore, providing a dramatic backdrop for the small shingle beach below. Many walkers choose to stop at the Three Rocks Inn or the beach shack for refreshments before either retracing their steps along the cliffs or following the inland public footpaths through the rolling Devon farmland for a circular return to Budleigh Salterton.