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Total distance: 30 miles (48 km)
Duration: 4 nights, 3 days walking
Minimum/maximum daily distances: 8 miles (13 km)/12 miles (19km)
Average daily distance: 10 miles (16 km)
Waymarking: The route is very clearly waymarked with South West Coast Path National Trail acorn waymarks and is very easy to follow
Season: All year
Starting point of holiday: Exmouth
End of holiday: Lyme Regis
Code: EDEV1
Day 1: Travel to Exmouth.
Day 2: Exmouth to Sidmouth. 12 miles (19 km)
At the end of Exmouth's promenade the path climbs steadily up to Orcombe Point, which provides a splendid view over the estuary, and then continues along the cliffs to the picturesque town of Budleigh Salterton, which boasts some fine Georgian and Victorian buildings and a long pebble beach. After crossing the River Otter the path continues along the cliff top past Ladram Bay, with its shingle beach, red sandstone stacks and caves, to the charming town of Sidmouth.
Day 3: Sidmouth to Seaton. 10 miles (16 km)
Leaving Sidmouth the route crosses the River Sid by a small footbridge at the eastern end of the beach and then follows an exhilarating switchback path along the cliffs to Branscombe Mouth. Straggling down a long sinuous wooded valley almost to the sea, Branscombe is a delightful village of thatched cottages, an old inn and a beautiful church of Saxon origin. Returning to the cliff top, the path winds round Beer Head to the picturesque fishing village of Beer, which huddles in a sheltered cove between gleaming white headlands. In the past fisher families would sit on the steps of their flint napped cottages, gutting the days catch and tossing the remains into the stream that trickles down a channel dug into the village's main street. From Beer the path keeps to the cliff tops, overlooking the fishing boats pulled up on the beach below, and then drops down into Seaton Hole to follow the beach into the bustling little resort of Seaton.
Day 4: Seaton to Lyme Regis. 8 miles (13 km)
Leaving the seafront at Seaton the path crosses the River Exe before climbing up over Haven Cliff to follow a path to Lyme Regis through the Dowlands Undercliff. Fire, brimstone and the roaring of land cracking asunder filled the air, claimed terrified observers, when the huge landslip created the Undercliff on Christmas night in 1839. Twenty acres of fields slipped away and 15 remained intact suddenly much closer to the sea. Today it is a magical environment where nature has run riot without human influence for more than 150 years. Nestling snugly between steep hills, Lyme Regis is a beautiful old port. Attractive colour-washed cottages and elegant Georgian and Victorian villas overlook the long curving harbour wall known as the Cobb. The Cobb is a famous location in literature: not only did Loisa musgrove's accident in Jane Austen's novel Persuasion take place here, but it is also where The French Lieutenant's Woman stood and stared out to sea in John Fowles novel.
Day 5: Depart from Lyme Regis
The charming seaside resort of Sidmouth is worth considering for a rest day. Lyme Regis, with its beautiful harbour, interesting museum, fine old buildings, literary connections and its fossil-rich cliffs is an excellent choice for an extra night.
Detailed instructions on how to get to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you on booking. A summary is given below.
Most convenient International airport: London
Outward journey from London to Exmouth: There is a fast and regular train service from London Paddington to Exmouth (3 1/2 hours). From the station it is a short walk to your first nights accommodation.
Return journey to London at the end of the holiday: It is a short bus or taxi journey from Lyme Regis to the train station at Axminster. There is a fast and regular train service to London Paddington/Waterloo from Axminster (2 1⁄2 hours).