The Sidmouth-to-Seaton stretch of the South West Coast Path is, in our biased view, the best ten miles of the entire 630-mile trail. It runs through three different geological eras (red Triassic sandstone, white Cretaceous chalk, and the unique fossil-rich Beer Stone), passes Branscombe Mouth where Hole Mill sits a half-mile inland, and ends at the Axe estuary in Seaton. Most fit walkers can do it in a day. Less-fit walkers can break it into two halves with a stopover in Branscombe.

This is the practical guide.

The basics

Distance: 10 miles / 16 km. Time: 5–7 hours, allowing for stops. Difficulty: strenuous in places. Several steep climbs and descents — total ascent is around 750 metres, more than walking up Snowdon. Direction: west to east is the prevailing wind direction; east to west is what we recommend if you are not used to long days. Surface: mostly grass and dirt path with stretches of chalk, occasional steps and a few short stretches of road. Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer 115 (Exmouth and Sidmouth) covers the whole route.

Why this stretch is special

The Jurassic Coast is famously a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its geology — but the geology is much more visible (and varied) on this section than further east in Dorset. In ten miles you walk past:

  • Triassic red sandstone at Sidmouth — 200 million years old, the oldest rocks on the south coast.
  • Greensand and gault clay in the cliffs east of Sidmouth — the unstable mud layers that cause the famous cliff slips at Hooken.
  • Cretaceous chalk at Beer Head — the most westerly chalk on the south coast.
  • Beer Stone, the cream-coloured limestone unique to this single quarry, used to build Exeter Cathedral and parts of St Paul's.

You also walk past three of the most distinctive small coves in Devon — Salcombe Mouth, Weston Mouth, and Branscombe Mouth — and end at the Axe estuary, one of the best birdwatching sites in the south of England.

The route, broken into manageable sections

Section 1: Sidmouth to Salcombe Mouth (1.5 miles)

Start at the eastern end of Sidmouth seafront. The path climbs steeply up Salcombe Hill — the longest sustained climb of the day, about 130 metres in twenty minutes. From the top you have your first big view east toward Branscombe and Beer Head. Drop down through woodland to the small undeveloped pebble cove at Salcombe Mouth (no facilities, just a stream and a beach).

Section 2: Salcombe Mouth to Weston Mouth (1.5 miles)

Up again, across open clifftop with big views, then down through woodland to Weston Mouth — another small undeveloped pebble cove with a stream. There is a small National Trust visitor area at the top of the path. No café; bring food.

Section 3: Weston Mouth to Branscombe Mouth (3 miles)

The longest section between facilities. Up onto the cliffs again, then across two further valleys before descending into Branscombe Mouth. This is the section to break the walk on if you are doing it in two days — you can stay at Hole Mill, half a mile inland from Branscombe Mouth.

Branscombe Mouth has the Sea Shanty café (decent lunch, good views) and the National Trust Old Bakery tea rooms ten minutes inland in Branscombe village. There are public loos at the beach.

Section 4: Branscombe Mouth to Beer (3 miles)

The most spectacular section of the whole route. See our Branscombe to Beer walk guide for step-by-step detail. Highlights: the Hooken Landslip, Beer Head, and the descent into Beer village. About 1.5 hours at a steady pace.

Section 5: Beer to Seaton (1 mile)

The shortest section. Up out of Beer onto the cliff top, and down again into Seaton via a path that runs behind the seafront and arrives at the western end of Seaton's Esplanade. About 30 minutes.

How to get back

The 899 bus runs from Seaton back to Sidmouth via Beer and Branscombe — roughly hourly in summer, less frequent in winter. Check current timetables before you set out. Allow about 50-60 minutes by bus.

If you are doing the walk in two days based at Hole Mill, you can break the journey at Branscombe Mouth and walk the second half the next morning.

What to wear and bring

  • Walking boots or sturdy trainers — there are loose stones and chalky paths.
  • Layers — the wind on the open clifftops can be sharp even on warm days.
  • At least 1.5 litres of water per person.
  • Lunch and snacks — the only certain food stops are Sidmouth, Branscombe Mouth (Sea Shanty café) and Beer/Seaton.
  • Sun cream and a sun hat in summer.
  • Map and compass — even though the path is well-signed, mist on the cliffs is not unusual and visibility can drop quickly.
  • Phone — but be aware that mobile signal is patchy along the path.

Safety

  • The path follows the cliff edge for most of its length, with drops of over 100 metres in places. Stay back from the edge — the chalk and greensand cliffs are actively eroding.
  • Keep dogs on leads near the edge.
  • Be cautious after rain, especially on the chalk sections — they become slippery.
  • Check the tide table if you are tempted to walk along the beach below the cliffs (you can be cut off).

When to go

Spring (April-June): wildflowers, clearer air, fewer walkers. Our favourite season. Summer: warmer, busier, longer days. Daily start by 9 am at the latest to avoid the afternoon heat on the open cliffs. Autumn (September-October): the most stable weather, softer light, quieter paths. Excellent. Winter: doable on a clear bright day but daylight is short — start by 9 am and have a torch in case you are still walking at dusk.

Breaking the walk in two

The most enjoyable way to do the Sidmouth-Seaton section is in two days, staying overnight at Hole Mill (half a mile inland from Branscombe Mouth). Walk Sidmouth-to-Branscombe on day one (5 miles, about 3 hours), enjoy a swim, dinner and the hot tub, then walk Branscombe-to-Seaton the next morning (5 miles, about 2.5 hours). Check our availability for your dates.

The Sidmouth-to-Seaton coast path is the single best long walk within easy reach of Hole Mill. Whether you do it in a day, in two halves, or just sample one section, you will see why this is the most-visited stretch of the South West Coast Path. Check our availability or browse our other Devon walking guides.