Devon

Salcombe Hill to Sidmouth circular walk

Sunny view over flowering clifftop gorse bushes down to the seaside town of Sidmouth, red sandstone cliffs in the distance — The view from Salcombe Hill down to Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast | © Lucy Buckingham

This 5-mile circular walk showcases the regency town of Sidmouth. You'll start the trail taking in views across the Sid valley, part of the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site, before walking down into Sidmouth town through the woods and fields of Salcombe Hill. You'll head upriver through the Byes, Sidmouth's tranquil riverside park. The final leg of the walk is a steep climb uphill returning to the car park.

Near to

Sidmouth countryside

Start point

National Trust Salcombe Hill car park, grid ref: SY148889

Look out for wildlife

This walk offers the chance to see dippers, grey wagtails, kingfishers, tawny owls and even otters playing in and around the fast-flowing river. In late spring, the woodlands of Soldier's Hill offers an outstanding display of bluebells (April to May).

Address
Salcombe Hill , Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 0NY
Directions via Google Maps
On foot
Commence this circular walk from the eastern end of Sidmouth seafront next to the seascape mural.
By bus
In the summer, the Sidmouth Hopper (running free hourly services from May - September excluding Sidmouth Folk Festival week) passes the National Trust car park. Ask the driver to stop at the National Trust car park / Norman Lockyer observatory.
Cycling
National Cycle Network route 2 cycle path from Sidmouth passes immediately in from of the National Trust car park where this circular walk commences.
Sustrans
By road
The National Trust car park is opposite the Norman Lockyer observatory (postcode: EX10 0NY) which is signposted from the A3052.
Dogs
Dogs must be kept on a lead on the coast path where cattle grazing signs are displayed.
Car park
A National Trust car park (free to National Trust members) is available at the starting point of this walk.
Toilet
Toilets are located at the eastern end of the Esplanade near to the seascape mural and by the town hall in the centre of Sidmouth
Café
Tea-rooms, pubs, restaurants, banks, post office and shops are also located in Sidmouth.
Shop
A National Trust shop is located on Old Fore Street, Sidmouth, EX10 8LS.
Pub
Tea-rooms, pubs, restaurants, banks, post office and shops are also located in Sidmouth.
Restaurant
Tea-rooms, pubs, restaurants, banks, post office and shops are also located in Sidmouth.
Total stages: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
National Trust Salcombe Hill car park, grid ref: SY148889
Stage 1
Take the path past the picnic tables, turn left and follow the footpath to the cliff where you can enjoy views of Sidmouth, High Peak, Ladrum Bay and beyond.
Stage 2
As you look from the cliff out to sea, follow the path around to the right and then take the path on the left signposted ‘Coast Path Sidmouth 2/3m’. Go down a few steps through a small woodland and across an open field. Please note, the cliff edge here is extremely unstable. Follow the hedge line down through the field, rather than walking close to the cliff edge. Turn right at the end of the field by the ‘Coast Path’ sign to start following the coast path diversion. At the junction, turn left onto Laskeys Lane, then continue straight along the footpath next to West Combe house (where Laskeys Lane bears off to the right) which then turns into Cliff Road. At the end of Cliff Road follow the footpath to the left down the hill and across the Alma Bridge. After crossing the bridge, turn right and head inland along the left side of The Ham (a small park) which takes you past a decorative seascape mural.
Stage 3
Continue along the path and at the end of the park, continue straight ahead along the National Cycle Network path along Riverside Road. Turn right on to Mill Street by the car park and cross over the footbridge at the ford before continuing along Milford Road. At the junction cross the road and enter the Byes riverside park to the right of the ‘Old Toll House of Sidmouth’ and the ‘Old Sidmouth Toll Gate’.
Stage 4
Follow the footpath upriver along the side of the river Sid crossing over the third footbridge. Continue walking upriver along the path next to the river towards Sidford through ‘Margaret’s Meadow and the Gilchrist Field’, until you reach an interpretation board at a cycle path junction. Turn right following the ‘Fortescue ¼m’ sign, crossing over a bridge and through some gates, which bring you out onto Fortescue Road. Turn left and follow this quiet road for a short distance before turning right into Griggs Lane (signposted ‘Public Footpath to Salcombe Regis’).
Stage 5
Follow the lane and woodland path up the hill passing through the kissing gate signposted ‘Public Footpath Soldiers Hill ¼m’. At the end of the woodland path continue straight across the field and through the kissing gate which brings you out onto Salcombe Hill road.
Stage 6
Turn right onto the road, then left at the war memorial, signposted for cars ‘Salcombe Regis ¼m’. Take the path to the right just after the memorial through the ‘SVA Allotment Field Wood’ kissing gate. Turn right following the ‘Link Path to Salcombe Hill’ sign. Follow the path around to the right and then down the steps leading to the left. At the bottom of the steps, follow the path signposted ‘Link Path Salcombe Hill’ until it stops. Turn left and then right at the ‘Public Footpath Salcombe Hill and Car park’ sign. Continue along this footpath until you reach a dirt road next to a barn. Turn right onto the dirt road and follow this back to the National Trust car park where you began your walk.
End point
National Trust Salcombe Hill car park, grid ref: SY148889
Trail map
Salcombe Hill to Sidmouth circular walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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Salcombe Hill, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 0NY

01297680507

southdevon@nationaltrust.org.uk

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