A quaint seaside town nestled along Devon’s Jurassic coastline has been hailed as one of the UK’s best-kept secrets. Budleigh Salterton, a charming town situated halfway between Exmouth and Sidmouth, is one of the most overlooked – yet most beautiful – spots in the region.

Alex Gwillim, a local expert from Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays, couldn’t help but sing the praises of Budleigh Salterton. He said: “Budleigh Salterton is a real hidden gem, boasting a beautiful pebble beach that stretches over two miles, the iconic red sandstone cliffs of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic coast, and a small town filled with unique local businesses to explore.” He further noted that “people often miss out on a visit to Budleigh Salterton” due to its location between the popular holiday destinations of Exmouth and Sidmouth, “which draw big crowds on a nice day.”

The expansive beach and lack of bustling crowds make Budleigh Salterton an ideal spot for family holidays or romantic coastal getaways. 

The Times has even listed Budleigh Salterton’s beach among the Top 10 Beaches in the South West. The Bathing Water Classifications 2024 rated its waters as “excellent”, making it perfect for swimming and water sports.

For those seeking adventure, Alex highlighted the excellent selection of water sports available in Budleigh Salterton. He added that visitors can hire standup paddleboards or even kayaks to explore the stunning coastline by sea.

And for those wanting a more tranquil getaway, there’s still plenty of activities on offer, from wandering along the shoreline and savouring the local cafés and tea rooms.

Offering further suggestions, Alex said: “Budleigh Salterton is also the perfect spot for nature lovers. Head along the beach towards the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve, a popular spot for bird watching.

“There are also easy walking trails with fantastic views of the Triassic sandstone cliffs and their fascinating geology.”

For holidaymakers keen to secure a staycation in Budleigh Salterton, there are countless charming cottages, B&Bs and hotels on offer, and owing to the town’s compact size, wherever you choose to stay, the beach will virtually be right outside your door.

Tourists to Budleigh Salterton have posted glowing reviews about the beach on TripAdvisor, where the shoreline boasts a four-star rating. One visitor said: “We loved this beach. It was nice and quiet. People were swimming and paddle boarding and it was perfect as the sea was so calm. It was nice and quiet despite it being a sunny June Sunday.”

“Has a lovely walk along the well kept promenade. Plenty of benches to rest a while and take in the view. Also well served with places to get a coffee, ice cream and lunch etc. No awful arcades just wonderfully unspoilt,” said another.

Meanwhile, a third wrote: “Fabulous place to go for a walk. One can walk to Exmouth and be back in less than 4 hours. The whole walk was relaxing and the fabulous scenery.”

Another fan penned: “Great scenery, friendly community, always clean and great for the family, there is a great relaxing walk across the seafront which is accessible for everyone.”