Oakdown Holiday Park · Sidmouth · East Devon
Local Knowledge – June
Long evenings, the coast path at its best plus an anniversary of our own that falls this month.
June is the month the park properly wakes up. The evenings stretch out, the field trail dries out after spring then the coast path is at its most walkable before the school holidays arrive.
It is a quieter month for big events than July, which we rather like. Below is what is worth knowing this June, including a date in our own history that falls in the middle of it.
On this page
Father’s Day at the tramwayA blooming marvellous dayThe beaches in JuneThe Donkey Sanctuary on footDog friendly & accessibleA few practical questions
East Devon
Father’s Day at Seaton Tramway
Father’s Day falls on the third Sunday of June. Seaton Tramway marks it every year. The tramway runs narrow gauge heritage trams between Seaton, Colyford and Colyton, following the Axe Valley through two nature reserves. You get a view of the estuary birdlife from the open top deck that you simply would not get on foot.
It is one of those days out that works for three generations at once, which is not something you can say about many attractions.
Twenty minutes from the park. Dogs travel free on the tramway. Timetables plus Father’s Day arrangements change from year to year, so check the current ones with Seaton Tramway directly before you set off.
Our own history
A blooming marvellous day, twenty-two years on
On 23rd June 2004, Professor David Bellamy OBE arrived at Oakdown to officially open the Oak Mead golf course. Representatives from HARPA arrived by helicopter, landing right on the course. It was, in David’s own spirit, a blooming marvellous day.
The Franks family had been working with his Conservation Award scheme since 1996 — eight years before that opening. They have held the Gold Award every single year since. Thirty consecutive years.
If you are here in June it is worth walking the course, or simply the field trail beside it, with that in mind. The habitat creation on Oak Mead is the work he singled out for praise.
Oak Mead is over the road from the park entrance. Nine holes, par three, open all year to guests as well as visitors. Clubs, a ball plus a score card come with your round, collected from the café. Sorry, no dogs on the course. More on our Oak Mead golf course page.
East Devon
The beaches in June
June sits squarely inside the seasonal dog restrictions, which run from 1 May to 30 September on parts of Beer, Sidmouth, Seaton, Budleigh Salterton plus Exmouth beaches. Fines apply for breaching them, so it is worth knowing where you stand before you park.
Branscombe is the answer most of the time. It is ten minutes away, it is the only beach near us with no seasonal restriction on any section, plus it is a long shingle beach tucked into a valley between white chalk cliffs. Only a small signed stretch in front of the Sea Shanty Café is restricted, 150 metres either side of the pole.
Beer is worth the fifteen minutes for the scenery alone. Its eastern side stays open to dogs throughout the year; the western side is closed to them from 1 May to 30 September.
Branscombe, ten minutes. National Trust car park right by the beach, postcode EX12 3DP. It is also the start of the Beer to Branscombe coastal walk, 5.3 miles one way. Check the signage on arrival — the zones are clearly marked. Full detail on our dog friendly beaches guide.
On the doorstep
The Donkey Sanctuary on foot
Fifteen minutes on foot from the park gate, along our own private field trail rather than any road. Entry is free, it is open all day, plus dogs are welcome throughout. It took second place in the Dogs Trust dog friendly attractions scheme.
June is the month to do it early. The trail runs along the northern boundary past our Victorian Reed Bed, where there is a bird hide with a sightings book inside that guests add to. Take a coffee down before the park wakes up.
The field trail closes at 6pm. Dogs on leads along it. More on the field trail plus the bird hide.
At a glance
Dog friendly & accessible this month
✓ Best beach for dogs in June
Branscombe, ten minutes. No seasonal restriction on any section apart from a short signed stretch by the Sea Shanty Café.
✓ Free on the doorstep
The Donkey Sanctuary, fifteen minutes on foot along our own trail. Dogs welcome throughout, entry free, open all day.
✓ Dogs travel free
Seaton Tramway welcomes dogs at no charge, so the Axe Valley trip works with the whole family.
✓ After the beach
Clean Paws, our own dog wash, is free to every guest. Full size bath, hot water shower plus a proper dog hairdryer.
Accessibility. Our access statement covers the park in detail, including the hearing loop, the free mobility scooter plus the accessible pitches. There is a disabled parking bay directly outside reception.
Good to know
A few practical questions
Is June busy? Quieter than July or August. The weather is often kinder for walking. The coast path is at its best before the schools break up.
Can we walk to the Donkey Sanctuary with the dog? Yes. Fifteen minutes along our field trail, dogs on leads. The trail closes at 6pm.
Which beach should we head for with a dog? Branscombe, almost always, for the reasons above.
Is the golf course open? Yes, all year, to guests as well as visitors. Green fees are on the board at the café — or ring reception on 01297 680 387 if you would rather ask first.
Event dates move from year to year. We have deliberately not printed dates for events run by other people — check with the organiser before you travel, or ring us on 01297 680 387 plus we will tell you what we know.
Want to see what’s on in other months? Our full Local Knowledge guide covers the whole year near Oakdown.
Come and take the long way round
Long evenings, quiet trails plus the coast at its best. June is a good month to be here.