A Potter Down the Otter - Walk

Distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Start/End point: Newton Poppleford/Budleigh Salterton

The East Devon Way, one of the County's long-distance recreational walking routes, stretches for nearly 40 miles between Exmouth and Lyme Regis inland of and parallel to the South West Coast Path. There are a number of places where the two can be linked, thus creating a series of long-distance circular walks throughout East Devon.

One of the links is provided by the valley of the River Otter. This rises in the Blackdown Hills, on the Devon-Somerset border, and in its lower lengths it forms a distinctive landscape feature, cutting across the surrounding higher land to reach the sea at Budleigh Salterton.

The route is described as a one-way walk, as if for walkers on the East Devon Way heading for the Coast Path. However, there are also convenient bus links to form a circuit. Buses serve Newton Poppleford, the start of the walk, from Exeter, Exmouth and Sidmouth and also run from Budleigh Salterton, at the end of the walk, back to Exeter, Exmouth or Sidmouth. Alternatively, a good way to do the walk is to get the bus from Budleigh Salterton to Newton Poppleford and then walk back.

Relevant maps/guides: Landranger 192 Exeter and Sidmouth; Explorer 30 Exmouth and Sidmouth.

Facilities along route: Newton Poppleford and Budleigh Salterton have pubs, cafes, shops and toilets. Colaton Raleigh [pub, buses]; Otterton [pubs, café, shop, buses].

Notes on route: Almost entirely flat. One walk through stile.
Theme: Country
Special Interest: Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Nature, Wildlife, World Heritage Site
Area: East Devon