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Oakdown Holiday Park · Sidmouth · East Devon
Dog Friendly Walks Near Sidmouth
From a fifteen-minute stroll to the Donkey Sanctuary to seven miles along the Undercliffs — East Devon has some of the finest dog walking in the South West.
Oakdown sits in the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty three miles from Sidmouth. The South West Coast Path passes within a fifteen-minute walk of the park gate. Ancient heathland, clifftop paths, deep wooded combes and the Jurassic Coast are all on the doorstep.
These walks are either walkable directly from the park or within five minutes by car. Every one is suitable for dogs on leads. Terrain notes are included so you can match the walk to your dog.
Walks covered
Field trail — from the gateSalcombe Hill — 5 minsMutters Moor — 5 minsBranscombe to Weston MouthBeer to BranscombeSidmouth Valley & RidgeSeaton to Lyme Regis UndercliffsRiver Coly Walk
Start here — no car needed
The Oakdown Field Trail to the Donkey Sanctuary
Distance
15 minutes on foot to the Sanctuary. Extendable via the South West Coast Path.
Terrain
Level throughout. Grass and managed hedgerow path. No stiles. Walkable in all weathers.
Suitable for
All dogs. All weathers. Ideal for an easy first morning walk straight from your pitch or lodge.
Step through the park gate, cross the lane and you are on the trail. Ancient managed hedgerow leads directly to the Donkey Sanctuary — fifteen minutes on foot, level ground throughout. The Sanctuary is free to enter and dogs are welcome throughout the site on leads. From the Sanctuary the trail connects to the South West Coast Path — you can continue to the clifftops and back on a longer circular route.
Start point: Oakdown park gate — no parking needed. Staff at reception can point you in the right direction.
Views that make the climb worthwhile
Salcombe Hill — 5 minutes by car
Distance
Approximately 4.5 miles (2.8 miles on the circular route). Allow 2–2.5 hours.
Terrain
Open paths and quiet lanes. Some ascent to the hilltop. National Trust managed. Dogs on leads near livestock.
Suitable for
Confident walkers and active dogs. The hilltop view across the Jurassic Coast is the payoff.
Salcombe Hill rises above Sidmouth to one of the finest viewpoints on the Jurassic Coast — panoramic views stretching from Portland Bill to the east and Dartmoor to the west on a clear day. National Trust managed countryside with open paths and quiet lanes. A dog waste bin is available at the Salcombe Hill car park.
Parking: Salcombe Hill car park, 5 minutes from the park. Dog waste bin at the visitor welcome sign. Look out for seasonal signs indicating where livestock are present.
Heathland and woodland, no crowds
Mutters Moor — 5 minutes by car
Distance
Various routes available from short loops to longer heathland trails. Flexible duration.
Terrain
Heathland and woodland. Well-marked trails. Can be muddy after rain — good wellies recommended in winter.
Suitable for
All dogs. Good for sniffing and exploring. Quieter than the Coast Path and excellent wildlife habitat.
Mutters Moor is a stretch of heathland and woodland above Sidmouth — open, uncrowded and excellent for dogs who enjoy a proper nose around. The landscape is part of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths, one of the finest lowland heath habitats in the country. Well-marked trails make it easy to navigate. Clean Paws is waiting back at the park after a muddy morning on the moor.
Clifftops, a hidden cove and a stream to paddle in
Branscombe to Weston Mouth — 10 minutes by car
Distance
Approximately 45 minutes one way to Weston Mouth. Return the same route or extend to a longer circular.
Terrain
Clifftop paths with some descent. Short steep ascent on the return. Dogs on leads near cliff edges.
Suitable for
Confident walkers and dogs comfortable on clifftop paths. The reward is one of the most remote and beautiful coves in East Devon.
This stretch of the South West Coast Path heads west from Branscombe along dramatic clifftops before dropping down to Weston Mouth — a remote shingle cove with a stream running across it that dogs can paddle in. One of the most peaceful spots on the Jurassic Coast. Very few people. Excellent views. The return leg involves a short steep ascent — factor this in for older dogs.
Start point: Branscombe beach car park, NT, EX12 3DP. 10 minutes from the park. The Sea Shanty Café is on the beach for a coffee before or after.
One of East Devon’s finest half-day walks
Beer to Branscombe — 15 minutes by car
Distance
5.3 miles (8.6 km). Allow 2.5–3 hours one way. Return by taxi or leave a car at each end.
Terrain
South West Coast Path. Clifftops, chalk cliffs and coastal descent. Some steep sections. Dogs on leads near cliff edges.
Suitable for
Fit dogs and confident walkers. Dramatic scenery throughout. End at Branscombe for the Masons Arms or Sea Shanty.
The Coast Path section between Beer and Branscombe passes through some of the most dramatic chalk cliff scenery on the Jurassic Coast. White cliffs, hidden coves and the kind of views that remind you why people come to East Devon. Start at Beer — park by the beach — and finish at Branscombe for a well-earned stop at the Masons Arms or Sea Shanty Café.
Tip: leave one car at Branscombe (NT car park EX12 3DP) and drive to Beer to start. The Fountain Head in Branscombe is also a fine end point if you prefer a pub to a café.
Valley, ridge and Jurassic Coast in one loop
Sidmouth Valley, Ridge & Jurassic Coast — 8 minutes by car
Distance
5.5 miles (8.9 km). Allow 2.5–3 hours for the full circular route.
Terrain
Varied — valley paths, ridgeline and coastal sections. Some ascent. A good mix of landscapes in one route.
Suitable for
Active dogs and walkers who want variety. Combines the best of the Sid Valley with a stretch of the Jurassic coastline.
This circular walk from Sidmouth takes in the wooded Sid Valley, the ridgeline above the town and a stretch of the Jurassic Coast — three distinct landscapes in one route. The Byes riverside park in Sidmouth town is a good warm-up before the main circuit and is flat and dog friendly throughout.
Parking: Sidmouth town centre, 8 minutes from the park. The Byes river park is a short walk from the main car parks and makes a good flat warm-up before the ridgeline section.
The most dramatic walk on the Jurassic Coast
Seaton to Lyme Regis Undercliffs — 20 minutes by car
Distance
7.2 miles (11.6 km) one way. Allow 4–5 hours. No shortcut back — plan this as a point-to-point walk.
Terrain
National Nature Reserve. Dense jungle-like vegetation, landslip terrain, no escape routes mid-walk. Muddy year-round. Proper boots essential.
Suitable for
Fit dogs and experienced walkers. Not suitable for nervous dogs or those unused to dense undergrowth. Clean Paws will be needed on return.
The Undercliffs National Nature Reserve between Seaton and Lyme Regis is unlike anywhere else in England — a wild, overgrown landslip landscape of dense vegetation, twisted woodland and dramatic Jurassic Coast geology. It is a point-to-point walk with no escape routes in the middle, so plan accordingly. Leave a car at Lyme Regis or arrange a return taxi. Dogs love the scent-rich environment — Clean Paws will earn its keep when you get back.
Important: there is no exit between Seaton and Lyme Regis once you enter the Undercliffs. Do not attempt this walk without adequate water, food and a fully charged phone. It is not suitable for very young puppies or elderly dogs with mobility issues.
Start point: Seaton seafront car park, 20 minutes from Oakdown. Combine with the Seaton Tramway for a full day out.
Flat, riverside and completely peaceful
The River Coly Walk, Colyford to Colyton — 20 minutes by car
Distance
Approximately 2 miles one way from Colyford to Colyton. Easy to extend along the East Devon Way.
Terrain
Flat riverside path. No significant ascent. Sunny and open. Part of the East Devon Way.
Suitable for
All dogs including older or less mobile dogs. Flat throughout. Good for a relaxed morning out.
The River Coly walk follows the river from Colyford up to the historic market town of Colyton — flat, open and excellent for dogs who prefer a gentle riverside amble to a clifftop scramble. The route forms part of the East Devon Way and passes directly alongside the Seaton Tramway track, so you may see a tram passing on the way. The Tramstop Café at Colyton is a good end point.
Combine with the Tramway: alight at Colyford station, walk the River Coly to Colyton and rejoin the tram. Dogs travel free on the Seaton Tramway — a natural pairing for a full day out.
Back from your walk? Clean Paws is centrally on the park and free to use throughout your stay.
Ready to bring the dog to Devon?
Book online or call the team on 01297 680 387 — eight walks within 20 minutes of the park and Clean Paws waiting on your return.
