The Otter Estuary

Along the banks of the peaceful River Otter to the pebble ridge at Budleigh Salterton.

NEAREST LOCATION

Budleigh Salterton

RECOMMENDED BY
DISTANCE

1.5 miles (2kms)

ASCENT
0ft (0m)
TIME
1hr
GRADIENT
DIFFICULTY
Easy
STARTING POINT
SY074830

About the walk

Peaceful, tranquil, lush, idyllic – these are all words that can apply to this stroll along the banks of the River Otter. As the river wends its way to meet the sea just east of Budleigh Salterton, its lower reaches are a haven for a wealth of birdlife. The combination of the serene river meadows and level paths – and the chance for an ice cream in Budleigh Salterton, or tea at Otterton Mill – makes this an ideal family walk.

The Otter Estuary Nature Reserve

The nature reserve, south of White Bridge, is an SSSI and nationally important wildlife habitat, one of the smallest in the southwest. The estuary was much more extensive in the past, and 500 years ago cargo ships could travel upriver as far as Otterton. Today it provides a haven for all kinds of birdlife, best seen between October and March. Oystercatchers, dunlins and other wading birds come to feed here; large flocks of waders and ducks, such as wigeon and teal, attract peregrine falcons, sparrowhawks – and mink. Three-quarters of the estuary has been colonised by saltmarsh, which is also home to warblers in the summer months, linnets and greenfinches all year round, and kingfishers in winter. To catch the action, stop for a while in the bird hide passed at Point 2 and watch the activity on the waters below – there’s always something happening.

Man has influenced the shape of this estuary for thousands of years. Evidence of a Roman villa has been unearthed at South Farm on Otterton Point, and it is thought that the Romans – or maybe even Iron Age peoples – collected salt from the marshes.

Walk directions

The walk starts on the west side of White Bridge. Pass through a small gate, following Coast Path signs to Budleigh Salterton along the right bank of the river. This popular part of the path is very level and well surfaced. The large pebble bar at the mouth of the estuary can be seen ahead, created by a huge storm: plans to blast a shipping channel through this were dropped with the coming of the railway in 1897.

The Coast Path runs along an embankment, built by Napoleonic prisoners of war as part of a scheme to drain the land to form the meadows seen today. Pass a bird hide overlooking the Otter, in which there is information about identifying birds seen on the water and in the saltmarsh. Soon after, the path bears right past the cricket pitch to meet a footpath post, with the Coast Path signed ahead.

Turn right on a footpath to pass the children’s playground. Go through a kissing gate and keep straight on as signed. Bear right across the drive to Budleigh Salterton cricket club, to another footpath sign.

Keep ahead up a hedged path, signed to White Bridge. Cross a grassy area with a house left, and keep ahead on a path that runs up the western edge of the floodplain – this half of the walk will be much quieter in terms of numbers of people. Note a sandstone cliff left, topped with huge oak trees, which marked the edge of the estuary before it silted up in the 15th century. Eventually pass through a kissing gate, then another; a third leads onto the lane.

Turn right for 0.25 miles (400m) to find White Bridge and return to the start. 

Additional information

Good level paths, some muddy after wet weather

Riverside meadows and saltmarsh

Keep on lead through nature reserve

OS Explorer 115 Exeter & Sidmouth

Laneside parking near White Bridge

In Limekiln car park, Budleigh Salterton

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WALKING IN SAFETY

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Find out more

About the area

Discover Devon

With magnificent coastlines, two historic cities and the world-famous Dartmoor National Park, Devon sums up all that is best about the British landscape. For centuries it has been a fashionable and much loved holiday destination – especially south Devon’s glorious English Riviera.

Close to the English Riviera lies Dartmoor, one of the south-west’s most spectacular landscapes. The National Park, which contains Dartmoor, covers 365 square miles and includes many fascinating geological features – isolated granite tors and two summits exceeding 2,000 feet among them. 

Not surprisingly, in Dartmoor the walking opportunities are enormous. Cycling in the two National Parks is also extremely popular and there is a good choice of off-road routes taking you to the heart of Dartmoor and Exmoor. Devon’s towns and cities offer stimulating alternatives to the rigours of the countryside.

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