Dog Friendly Walks Near Sidmouth
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 straight from the park or within twenty minutes by car. Every one suits dogs on leads. The terrain notes let you match the walk to your dog.
The field trail to the Donkey Sanctuary
Distance
Fifteen minutes on foot to the Sanctuary, extendable along the South West Coast Path.
Terrain
Level throughout on grass and managed hedgerow path. No stiles, walkable in all weathers.
Suitable for
All dogs, all weathers. 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 there the trail connects to the South West Coast Path, so you can carry on to the clifftops and come back on a longer circular route.
Start point. The Oakdown park gate — no parking needed. Reception can point you in the right direction.
Salcombe Hill, five minutes by car
Distance
About 4.5 miles, or 2.8 miles on the circular route. Allow two to two and a half hours.
Terrain
Open paths and quiet lanes with 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, with views stretching to Portland Bill in the east and Dartmoor in the west on a clear day. It is National Trust managed countryside of open paths and quiet lanes.
Parking. Salcombe Hill car park, five minutes from the park, with a dog waste bin at the visitor welcome sign. Look out for seasonal signs showing where livestock are present.
Mutters Moor, five minutes by car
Distance
Various routes from short loops to longer heathland trails. Flexible duration.
Terrain
Heathland and woodland on well-marked trails. It can be muddy after rain, so wellies 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 good for dogs who enjoy a proper nose around. It forms part of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths, one of the finest lowland heath habitats in the country. Clean Paws is waiting back at the park after a muddy morning on the moor.
Branscombe to Weston Mouth, ten minutes by car
Distance
About forty-five minutes one way to Weston Mouth. Return the same way or extend to a longer circular.
Terrain
Clifftop paths with some descent and a short steep ascent on the return. Dogs on leads near cliff edges.
Suitable for
Confident walkers and dogs comfortable on clifftop paths. Factor the return climb in for older dogs.
This stretch of the South West Coast Path heads west from Branscombe along dramatic clifftops before dropping 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, with very few people and excellent views.
Start point. Branscombe beach National Trust car park, EX12 3DP, ten minutes from the park. The Sea Shanty Café is on the beach for a coffee before or after.
Beer to Branscombe, fifteen minutes by car
Distance
5.3 miles or 8.6 km. Allow two and a half to three hours one way. Return by taxi or leave a car at each end.
Terrain
South West Coast Path over clifftops and chalk cliffs with coastal descent and some steep sections. Dogs on leads near cliff edges.
Suitable for
Fit dogs and confident walkers, with dramatic scenery throughout.
The Coast Path 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, parking by the beach, then finish at Branscombe for a well-earned stop at the Masons Arms or the Sea Shanty Café.
Tip. Leave one car at Branscombe, National Trust car park EX12 3DP, then drive round to Beer to start. The Fountain Head in Branscombe is a fine end point if you would rather a pub than a café.
Sidmouth valley and ridge, eight minutes by car
Distance
5.5 miles or 8.9 km. Allow two and a half to three hours for the full circular route.
Terrain
Varied — valley paths, ridgeline and coastal sections with some ascent. A good mix of landscapes in one route.
Suitable for
Active dogs and walkers who want variety.
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 town is flat and dog friendly throughout, making a good warm-up before the main circuit.
Parking. Sidmouth town centre, eight minutes from the park. The Byes is a short walk from the main car parks.
Seaton to Lyme Regis Undercliffs, twenty minutes by car
Distance
7.2 miles or 11.6 km one way. Allow four to five hours. There is no shortcut back, so plan it as a point-to-point.
Terrain
National Nature Reserve. Dense jungle-like vegetation and landslip terrain with no escape routes mid-walk. Muddy year-round, so proper boots are essential.
Suitable for
Fit dogs and experienced walkers. Not for nervous dogs or those unused to dense undergrowth.
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. Leave a car at Lyme Regis or arrange a return taxi. Dogs love the scent-rich environment and Clean Paws earns its keep when you get back.
Important. There is no exit between Seaton and Lyme Regis once you enter the Undercliffs. Do not set out without adequate water, food and a fully charged phone. It does not suit very young puppies or elderly dogs with limited mobility.
Start point. Seaton seafront car park, twenty minutes from Oakdown. Combine it with the Seaton Tramway for a full day out.
The River Coly walk, twenty minutes by car
Distance
About two miles one way from Colyford to Colyton, easy to extend along the East Devon Way.
Terrain
Flat riverside path with no significant ascent. Sunny and open, part of the East Devon Way.
Suitable for
All dogs, including older or less mobile ones. Flat throughout and good for a relaxed morning.
The River Coly walk follows the river from Colyford up to the historic market town of Colyton — flat, open and good for dogs who prefer a gentle riverside amble to a clifftop scramble. The route forms part of the East Devon Way and runs alongside the Seaton Tramway track, so you may well see a tram pass. The Tramstop Café at Colyton makes a good end point.
Combine it with the tramway. Alight at Colyford station, walk the River Coly to Colyton and rejoin the tram. There is a small charge for dogs. They ride the lower decks of all trams alongside their owners. Assistant dogs go free.
Back to the dog friendly guide for beaches, cafés, attractions and everything on the park itself.
Book your stay
Eight walks within twenty minutes of the park and Clean Paws waiting on your return. Book online or call the team on 01297 680 387.