2
introductory to moderate
Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 4 nights in hotels, inns and guesthouses
Meals
  • 4 Breakfasts

5 Days£640GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: WEL

Exmouth to Lyme Regis Trip highlights

  • Hike through the heart of the UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast
  • Unearth fossils and experience the otherworldly forest of the Undercliff
  • Pause for a pint in the pub in the seaside towns of Sidmouth and Beer
  • Visit the Cobb in Lyme Regis, location for The French Lieutenant’s Woman
  • Follow the “Salt Path” along dramatic clifftops and wooded Devon trails
  • Perfect short break exploring cliffs and coves of the South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path between Exmouth and Lyme Regis is a journey through one of the most geologically significant stretches of coastline in the UK. This route forms part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, showcasing 185 million years of Earth’s history in the striking red cliffs of Ladram Bay, the fossil-rich beaches near Charmouth, and the layered strata of the cliffs near Lyme Regis. The walk links a string of pretty towns and villages—Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Branscombe, Beer, and Seaton— with options for rest and refreshment. Wildlife and wildflowers are abundant, especially in spring and summer, and views across Lyme Bay are wide and dramatic. The route combines rolling clifftops, wooded undercliffs, and steep ascents and descents, particularly between Branscombe and Lyme Regis. Rich in heritage, the walk reveals traces of fishing traditions, wartime history, and stories of smuggling. Lyme Regis offers a lively finish, known for its historic harbour called the Cobb, famous as the closing scene in the “French Lieutenant’s Woman”, fossil shops, and literary connections. While there are a few steep sections, the route is well maintained, and regular public transport makes it easy to walk in manageable stages.

Countries:

England

Starting Point:

Exmouth

Finishing Point:

Lyme Regis

Itinerary

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Arrive in the seaside town of Exmouth, where the river Exe meets the English Channel. Exmouth is a lively coastal town in East Devon, known as the gateway to the UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast. It’s one of the oldest seaside resorts in the UK, popular since the 18th century for its long sandy beaches, mild climate, and scenic seafront promenade. The town itself has a relaxed, traditional feel, with Victorian architecture, gardens, independent shops, and a growing food scene. Exmouth is easily reached from nearby Exeter by regular train services running alongside the estuary. Trains run frequently and take around 30 minutes. Exeter itself is well connected to London Paddington via Great Western Railway, with direct services taking just over two hours. This makes Exmouth a convenient and picturesque starting point for exploring the Jurassic Coast. Accommodation: Overnight in a welcoming small hotel.

Meals:  Nil

Your hike today follows a spectacular 12-mile stretch of the South West Coast Path, combining dramatic red sandstone cliffs, sweeping sea views, and fascinating geological features. The route traces the River Exe estuary and Exmouth Beach, passing the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Clock and Maer Rocks before reaching Orcombe Point—marked by the Geoneedle sculpture, unveiled by Prince Charles in 2002 to mark the start of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The path climbs above a holiday park and golf course before descending into Budleigh Salterton, a charming seaside town with a long shingle beach and access to the Otter Estuary, a haven for waders like curlew and redshank. From here, the trail continues past Chiselbury Bay and Ladram Bay, where sandstone sea stacks rise from the water—remnants of the Triassic period some 220 million years ago. The final section offers fine viewpoints from High Peak and Peak Hill before arriving in the elegant Regency resort of Sidmouth. If you'd prefer a shorter walk, regular local buses connect Budleigh Salterton with both Exmouth and Sidmouth, making it easy to tailor the route to suit your time or energy. Accommodation: Overnight in a local hotel with comfortable facilities close to the sea.

Meals:  B

Starting from Sidmouth’s elegant seafront, backed by regency buildings and bookended by towering red cliffs, the path quickly climbs Salcombe Hill for sweeping views across the Jurassic Coast towards Budleigh Salterton and Sandy Bay. The trail undulates steeply, dipping down to the remote shingle beach at Salcombe Mouth before rising sharply over Dunscombe Cliff. From here, the path drops again to Weston Mouth, another secluded beach accessible at low tide. Continuing over a steep ascent, the trail levels out and heads towards Branscombe, one of Devon’s prettiest villages, with thatched cottages and a beach café —making it a great rest stop. Beyond Branscombe, walkers can choose a high cliff-top route with panoramic views, or a lower path that skirts the edge of a holiday park, both converging at Beer Head. From this exposed promontory, the views stretch west to Sidmouth and east towards Seaton. A gentle descent leads to Beer, a charming fishing village nestled between white chalk cliffs, with traditional boats drawn up on its shingle beach and a good choice of pubs and cafés. Accommodation: A friendly local B&B in the village.

Meals:  B

Starting from the pebble beach in Beer, the trail climbs gently up white chalk cliffs—an unusual sight for South Devon—and curves along to the edge of Seaton Bay. From here, the path drops to beach level, offering a low-tide walk along shingle into Seaton. Watch as the cliffs shift from chalk to the classic Devonian red sandstone, a visible transition through millions of years of Earth’s history. In Seaton, there are plenty of cafés and shops for refreshments before continuing along the promenade. The path crosses the River Axe at Axmouth via the old road bridge before turning inland through a golf course and rejoining the cliff edge. From this vantage point, the views back to Beer are impressive. Soon after, the trail enters the Axmouth–Lyme Regis Undercliff Nature Reserve—a dense, otherworldly forest formed by a massive landslip in 1839. This 6-mile stretch is remote and often muddy. It’s wild, atmospheric walking, with limited views but a sense of being completely removed from civilisation. Eventually, the trail emerges above Lyme Regis, dropping down to the famous Cobb harbour.

Meals:  B

Tour arrangements end after breakfast. You can spend further time exploring Lyme Regis independently (ask our team about adding extra nights). To return to London from Lyme Regis, take a local bus to Axminster —a 25 minute journey—then catch a South Western Railway train to London Waterloo, which takes around 2 hours 45 minutes with hourly departures.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 4 nights accommodation in hotels/guesthouses/inns on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities where available
  • 4 breakfasts
  • One piece of luggage per person transferred from Inn to Inn, not exceeding 20kg.
  • Digital information pack including Navigational App, maps and route notes
  • Emergency hotline

  • Lunch, Dinner and drinks
  • Entrance fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Travel to the start and from the end point of the trip
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls
  • Unscheduled transfers required during the trip
  • Excess luggage
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Guide - this is a self guided holiday

Accommodation

Hotels, guesthouses & country inns

You will stay in a range of hotels, B&Bs, inns and guesthouses, all chosen for their local character, proximity to the walking route and comfort. Rooms will usually have private bathrooms, TVs, and tea and coffee making facilities. An English breakfast will usually be served. Note that for the dates of your tour, we may not be able to get you into the accommodation described. We will endeavour to get you into a similar standard of accommodation nearby, but please appreciate that there are limited options in parts of rural Devon. Although we aim to get ensuite rooms, this is not always possible in some of the smaller and more traditional B&Bs where despite limited facilities, the welcome remains warm!

Trail Surface

Clifftop paths, forest trails, beach tracks

The South West Coast Path between Exmouth and Lyme Regis features well-maintained, clearly marked trails including dirt paths (sometimes with steps), grassy clifftops, woodland walks, and short quiet road sections. Some steep parts near Salcombe Hill, Dunscombe Cliff, and Weston Mouth can be muddy when wet, requiring good footwear. The Axmouth–Lyme Regis Undercliff section is rougher with uneven ground and roots but offers a secluded, woodland experience. Overall, it’s a rewarding and manageable route for walkers with basic fitness and suitable gear. A variety of surfaces can be expected from sand, cliff side trails, fields, woodland trails, stepped ascents and descents, and small roads and bridges.

Suitability

introductory to moderate

2

This tour is graded Introductory to Moderate (grade 2), with walks of 14–22 km (8–12 miles). The route features some undulating terrain, including steep climbs and descents along clifftops and coves. It’s generally well waymarked but exposed to coastal weather. Most sections suit reasonably fit hikers, though rough terrain and elevation changes require care. Trails can get muddy and slippery after rain, so sturdy boots with ankle support are essential. Regular local buses connect towns, allowing flexible, shorter walks hence the grading.

Departure dates

Daily from 1 Mar to 27 Oct

Priceper person from

£640GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Single SupplementGBP£270
  • Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£320
*Prices listed are per person

Frequently Asked Questions

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This 5-day trip offers an ideal introduction to the South West Coast Path. It’s perfect if you’re short on time, new to long-distance walking, or simply want a manageable section with great scenery and accessibility. Starting in Exmouth—just over 2 hours by train from London—this stretch avoids the longer travel times needed for Cornwall or North Devon. It’s also a great choice if you’re considering a longer hike in the future and want to see how the experience suits you. With coastal cliffs, hidden coves, and easy public transport links, it’s one of the most accessible and rewarding parts of the trail. Plus, if you’re fascinated by geology, this walk takes you through the heart of the UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast—offering fossil-rich cliffs, the famous Geoneedle, and dramatic ancient landscapes. This section is often designated "Stage 9" of the full route.

The section of the South West Coast Path between Exmouth and Lyme Regis is considered moderate in difficulty compared to other parts of the trail. While there are some steep climbs and descents—particularly around Salcombe Hill, Weston Mouth, and through the Undercliff near Lyme Regis—the overall terrain is manageable for walkers with a basic level of fitness. Compared to the rugged and remote sections of the path in North Devon or Cornwall, this stretch is more accessible and less demanding, thanks to good public transport links, shorter daily distances, and well-maintained paths. However, the Undercliff section is unique: it’s a remote, enclosed woodland trail with uneven ground and limited exits, which can feel more challenging due to its isolation and rough terrain. In summary, this is a good entry-level section for walkers new to the Coast Path or those wanting a manageable multi-day hike with varied scenery and logistical ease.

Yes, the section of the South West Coast Path between Exmouth and Lyme Regis includes part of the route described in The Salt Path by Raynor Winn. While the book follows the full 630-mile South West Coast Path from Minehead to Poole, the stretch from Exmouth eastwards forms part of that journey. Specifically, Raynor and her husband walk this section as they head through Devon and into Dorset along the Jurassic Coast. So if you're inspired by The Salt Path and want to experience a portion of their walk—without committing to the full trail—this is a fitting and evocative section to explore.

Yes, local bus services significantly enhance the flexibility of hiking the South West Coast Path between Exmouth and Lyme Regis. While there isn't a direct bus covering the entire route, a network of local buses connects key towns along the path, allowing walkers to shorten or adjust their hikes as needed.

Key Bus Routes:

Jurassic Coaster X53: This service links Exmouth, Sidmouth, Beer, and Lyme Regis, providing convenient access to various points along the coast. southwestcoastpath.org.uk

Route 9A: Operates between Lyme Regis and Seaton, useful for those exploring sections near the Undercliff. Books And Travel

Route 157: Connects Exmouth to Sidmouth, facilitating shorter hikes or rest days.

The Jurassic Coast is a 95-mile stretch of coastline between Exmouth in East Devon and Studland Bay in Dorset. Designated as England’s first Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001, it showcases 185 million years of Earth’s history through its dramatic cliffs, rock formations, and fossil-rich beaches. The area is globally significant for its geological layers from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods, and for historic fossil discoveries by pioneering figures like Mary Anning. Its scientific importance, natural beauty, and accessibility make it one of the world’s most celebrated coastal landscapes.

There are some famous beaches on this walk and it would be a shame to miss out on swimming where you feel like it. Be aware of local conditions though such as tides, rocks etc, and any red flags.

Exmouth to Lyme Regis Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been walking and cycling the planet for over four decades and are passionate about delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of Europe, and are eager to share the many benefits of travelling on foot or by bike.

Great Value & Quality

Our well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday.

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We have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility.

Exmouth to Lyme Regis Videos

South West Coast Path