<<

South West Coast Path: South

The is ’s longest waymarked long-distance footpath and a National . Our South Devon holidays let you explore sections of the where you can even have a go at fossil hunting. The footpath takes in tiny fishing villages, rocky headlands, lively resorts and golden surf-washed

beaches.

The area is full of interesting flora and fauna. You may even see dolphins and seals if you’re lucky.

Walking from to you pass through some idyllic coastal villages with the most rewarding views from clifftops and over the coastline

How much up & down? More than seafront, the longest in Devon, but Why do this walk? you’d think! Although you never before long the going gets tougher reach more than 400m above sea • Walk along the Jurassic Coast, as you climb to level (and most of the time not more England's first World Heritage Site. where the Geoneedle Momument than 200m) there are many short • Spectacular clifftop walking between marks the start of the Jurassic Coast. steep sections. Most days involve idyllic sandy beaches. The route is strenuous at times but ascents of 200-400m metres, • Unspoilt countryside with abundant you are rewarded with beautiful although no section is very steep for wildlife. views from the clifftops across to very long. West Down Beacon and over to • Explore the . Brandy Head, not to mention the • Stay in delightful seaside towns and Signposting: Good – the path is well marvellous sea stacks at Ladram old fishing villages. waymarked. Bay. is almost halfway between Exmouth and

Essential Info Navigation: Pretty straightforward – and is a great spot for Length 4 – 5 nights good signposting, and generally well lunch. You leave Budleigh Salterton

Full Route Length 30 miles/ 48 km defined tracks. along the promenade, passing through the saltmarsh habitat of

Grade Weather: You may be lucky enough Otter Estuary Nature Reserve before to encounter warm, dry weather being confronted with two

Moderate over the whole route and enjoy dry threatening sounding cliffs: Danger paths and tremendous views, but Point and Black Head, but don’t

you must be prepared because the worry as neither are particularly

Grades - This is not a technically difficult weather can change quickly. Good steep! The trail continues with only walk and should be easy to tackle for most clothing and waterproofs are one strenuous climb just before you essential, but don’t forget you reach Sidmouth reasonably fit people sunhat, sunblock and shorts!

Sidmouth to Beer Terrain - The paths are good, and there Charming fishing villages, are no major route finding challenges. Route wildflowers and clifftops. As you Exmouth to Sidmouth leave Sidmouth, a steep climb up What’s it like underfoot? Generally good The start of the Jurassic Coast World Hill Cliff (500ft) offers a paths and tracks, although a few sections Heritage Site. The walk starts at a taste of what is ahead, with plenty of can get muddy after heavy rain. leisurely pace along the Exmouth

ascent and descent as you make wildlife making it a nature lover’s wonderful place to explore and relax your way along the cliffs to paradise. The terrain can be tricky in after a day’s walk. Sidmouth lies Mouth. The views back under foot and the 5 mile stretch can on the Jurassic Coast and the along the South Devon Coast and the take 3-4 hours to complete as you coastline is dominated by the rich red cliffs towards ahead of make the most of the unique red sandstone cliffs which dates back you offer ample reward, along with a to the Triassic period. whole variety of flora and fauna. If surroundings. Leaving the reserve you’re lucky you might spot a green the trail descends into Lyme Regis, woodpecker at Lincombe and the often called ‘The Pearl of Dorset’, Lyme Regis wildfowers and butterflies at Weston with an attractive harbour, shops A rest day in Lyme Regis is a must as are a delight. The terrain becomes and restaurants. With rocks from the the scenery is breath-taking in any less strenuous after Branscombe Jurassic, Triassic and Cretaceous weather. Its historic Cobb and harbour are iconic to the area. Lyme Mouth, passing under Hooken Cliffs periods exposed, this stretch of the Regis is home to a number of before climbing again to Beer Head, coast is fascinating for anyone historical landmarks and education with some lovely cliff top walking to interested in geology and there are finish the day as you approach the attractions. If you have the time to several museums in Lyme Regis quaint fishing village of Beer. add a rest day on your holiday Lyme worthy of a visit. Regis is a great spot to explore!

Beer to Lyme Regis

A unique wilderness. This section of Additional Days Getting There and Away the walk has a very different feel to We can arrange extra nights at any General travel information on the the others on the route. Leaving the of the overnight stops, allowing for Yorkshire Wolds area will be in your pretty fishing village of Beer, the trail rest days, or giving you more time to holiday pack including train and bus leads you to Seaton, a delightful explore the locality. We recommend timetables where available. village with a selection of shops to Sidmouth and Lyme Regis: Detailed instructions on getting to stock up on lunch supplies. After, Sidmouth your first night’s accommodation by comes the only real climb on this The famous poet John Betjeman car, or on foot from the nearest train day’s walk onto Haver Cliff before whose work was inspired by or bus station, will also be included you enter the incredible Undercliffs Sidmouth once described the town in the holiday pack on individual National Nature Reserve. Formed as “A town caught still in a timeless accommodation maps. from landslips, this wooded charm”. The town itself is a To view train times please visit wilderness is home to an array of

www.qjump.co.uk where you can western terminus of the Avocet First Dorset bus services X51 and X53 also purchase tickets in advance. For branch line from St Davids and run hourly between Lyme Regis and information on bus timetables please Exeter Central stations from where daily. For up to date bus visit www.traveline.info there are onward services throughout timetables, visit If you require secure car parking Devon and and further afield www.firstgroup.com/wessex-dorset- whilst walking this route, please to London (Paddington and south- contact us for information. Waterloo), Birmingham, Leeds and By Road: Lyme Regis is located just Edinburgh. There is a taxi rank at off the A35 between and Getting There: Exmouth station if needed or local . Leave the M5 motorway By Air: The nearest and most taxi numbers can be found at the at Junction 28 () and back of your services information list. follow signs for A373 Honiton. On convenient International Airports to the trail are any of the London To view train times please visit reaching Honiton High Street turn left Airports. Trains run hourly from www.nationalrail.co.uk through the Town Centre then follow London Paddington station to By Road: Exmouth is located on the signs for the A35 Axminster. Exmouth changing at Exeter St Davids A376 just after Exeter. Leave the M5 Bypassing Axminster, stay on the A35 motorway at Exeter Junction 30 and heading towards Dorchester. Pass (journey time approx. 3 hours). Alternatively, you may wish to travel follow signs for A376 Exmouth. through the signs for ‘Raymond’s Hill’ via (direct flights from then take the first road on the right Europe and connecting flights from Returning from Lyme Regis: (by the Hunters Lodge Inn) signed several UK airports including London By Public Transport: The nearest B3165 Lyme Regis. railway station to Lyme Regis is City, Edinburgh, Belfast and How our holidays work Manchester – www.exeter- Axminster. Axminster Railway Station airport.co.uk/fligh ts-holidays/). There (AXM) is located on the West of We specialise in self-guided walks is an hourly shuttlebus from Exeter England Mainline from where there because we think it’s the best way to Airport direct to Exmouth Mon to Sat are onward services throughout really experience local landscapes, (Stagecoach South West bus service Dorset and Devon and further afield cultures and history. You walk under 56 – journey time approx. 40 min). If to London (Waterloo), Birmingham, your own steam, at your own pace, travelling on a Sunday, you will need Leeds and Edinburgh. There is a taxi safe in the knowledge that we have to take a taxi – the taxi desk can be rank at the station if needed or local organised everything, and help is only found inside Arrivals (journey time taxi numbers can be found at the a phone call away. We book all your approx. 25 min). back of your services information list. accommodation, move your luggage By Public Transport: There is a To view train times please visit railway station at Exmouth. Exmouth www.nationalrail.co.uk between overnight stops, provide you is the

with maps and guidebooks and all the www.mickledore.co.uk or telephone What We Provide details you need for a successful us during office hours. holiday. You just turn up and walk! All Holidays Accommodation Overnight Bed and

Accommodation Breakfast accommodation in selected Inbuilt Flexibility Good accommodation and friendly hotels, farmhouses, village inns, guest Our holidays are designed to be hosts are an essential part of any houses and family B&Bs. flexible and can therefore be tailored holiday. We understand this and go Full English or Continental breakfast. to suit your requirements. If you’re out of our way to find the best. We put Guidebook A guidebook with route looking for something different, or a great deal of effort into hand picking information, maps, photos and extra, from the holidays described our accommodation and matching it to background information. here, give us a ring and we’ll do our individual customer requirements. In Information of Services Along the best to please. selecting the accommodation, we look Route A comprehensive service Info You can start on any day you like and for helpful, friendly hosts with good sheet, including services such as cash we can arrange extra nights at any of quality, characterful accommodation points, banks, post offices, village close to the trail. For example, over the the overnight stops allowing for rest shops, inns, cafés and taxis. course of your trip you might stay in a days, or giving you more time to Maps 1 waterproof Harvey map village inn, a bed and breakfast in a covering the whole route. explore the locality. You can book converted barn, a Victorian guest Personal Itinerary A personal part of a walk if you don’t have the house, and on a working farm. time to complete the entire distance. itinerary setting out each overnight stop, including large scale maps of We always try to arrange en suite How to Book accommodation, i.e. rooms with their each accommodation, to ensure you find it easily. Once you have decided which holiday own bathrooms, for each night of your you wish to book, please fill in the stay. However, in some of the more Emergency Telephone Support If you form at the back of this brochure remote locations accommodation is get in to difficulties during your which can then be emailed, posted or limited and occasionally we may have holiday, we are always available to faxed to us. We will get in touch with to book rooms with shared bathrooms help, even out of office hours. you once we have received your for one or two nights of your holiday, 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoors booking to confirm your holiday (especially if the booking is made at We will issue you with a 15% Discount details. short notice), but we will always let Card valid at all Cotswold Outdoor Alternatively, you can either book you know if this is likely to be the case. stores, and online, for the whole year online using our website at on confirmation of your booking.

Options normally be within walking distance District. We are one of the leading specialists in self-guided walking and Luggage Transport We will transfer of a pub and/or restaurant, or where cycling holidays in the UK, and your luggage between each overnight there is good food available at the provide a friendly, professional and stop – leave your luggage at the accommodation, we’ll book that for flexible service. accommodation when you set off in you. Allow about £20.00 per night. We are walkers and cyclists ourselves, the morning, it will be moved on to Transport to the start & away from so it really matters to us that you your next B&B. You only need to carry the finish Taxi or bus transport if you have a good holiday. We are still a a small day sack with the clothes and need to miss a stage (but we’ll help small business, with a lot of local provisions you require during the you organise it if you need help) knowledge, and personal enthusiasm day’s walk. We ask you to limit your Travel Insurance Even if you are for the outdoors. If you’ve got any luggage to one bag per person, up to based in the UK travel insurance is queries, we’re always happy to help, 18kg. so don’t hesitate to pick up the phone Packed Lunches Provided for each worth having. or drop us an email, or call in and see day’s walking and recommended on us if you’re in Keswick. this holiday as there will not always Prices We specialise in UK holidays, and by be a handy shop or café on the route. Detailed prices for all our holidays are available on the website. concentrating on what we consider Off Road Parking If you are travelling by car we can usually arrange off road www.mickledore.co.uk. the best routes, we get to know the parking for the duration of your trip. , accommodation, and local area

(There may be a small charge for intimately. About Mickledore this). Mickledore Travel is based in Keswick - All your accommodation has been Arrangement of return transport We at the heart of the English Lake carefully selected and is regularly can also arrange your transfer back to monitored. District. We are one of the leading your car, (or advise you when public specialists in self-guided walking and - We listen to you and tailor each transport is a better option!) cycling holidays in the UK, and holiday to meet your requirements.

provide a friendly, professional and - We have an excellent level of customer service. We have 15 years’ What’s not included flexible service. experience, and very high levels of We are walkers and cyclists ourselves, Evening Meals Your evening meal customer satisfaction. isn’t included in the package, but we so it really matters to us that you - Peace of mind – help is only ever a include full details and have a good holiday. We are still a telephone call away. Mickledore Travel is based in Keswick recommendations for each evening - We’re all outdoor enthusiasts – we at the heart of the English Lake know what makes a good holiday, and meal in your itinerary. You will we want you to have one! -

AITO Quality Statement - We’re all outdoor enthusiasts – we Financial Protection know what makes a good holiday, and Your payments are fully protected Mickledore Travel is a member of we want you to have one! against our financial failure. We are the Association of Independent - 15% discount card for all your outdoor members of the Association of Tour Operators. The Association equipment purchases from Cotswold represents Britain’s leading Independent Tour Operators (AITO), Outdoors. independent tour operators. It and the Association of British Travel - 100% financial protection – in the very promotes high levels of unlikely event of Mickledore’s Agents (ABTA). We have arranged professionalism and a shared financial failure, you receive a full bonding through ABTA. This means refund. concern for quality and personal that in the unlikely event of our service. The Association financial failure, any monies you have encourages the highest standards

paid to us will be refunded. This in all aspects of tour operating. bonding is fully compliant with the Package Travel Regulations and Mickledore Travel abides by AITO’s provides 100% financial protection. Code of Conduct and adheres to the Quality Charter which can be

viewed at www.aito.com. Visit the website to find out more about the Association or call 020 8744 9280.

Our Itineraries

The South Devon Coast Path: Exmouth to Lyme Regis – 30 miles/ 48 km

Exmouth to Lyme Regis in 3 days Walking Code: DSE4 Exmouth to Lyme Regis in 4 days Walking Code: DSE5

Mile km Mile km Day 1 Travel to Exmouth for your first nights accommodation Travel to Exmouth for your first nights accommodation

Day 2 Exmouth to Sidmouth 12 20 Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton 6 9

Day 3 Sidmouth to Beer 9 14 Budleigh Salterton to Sidmouth 7 11

Day 4 Beer to Lyme Regis 8 14 Sidmouth to Beer 9 14

Day 5 Depart from Lyme Regis after breakfast Beer to Lyme Regis 8 14

Day 6 Depart from Lyme Regis after breakfast