A Walking Itinerary

Pick a length, plot the river

A suggested source-to-sea route over three days (or three relaxed weekends), broken into three legs, each ending near a pub or a bed. The river itself is approximately 44 km / 27 miles long; the walking route is longer or shorter depending on the rights of way and lanes you join.

The route

33.6 miles · 3 legs

The River Otter itself is approximately 44 km / 27 miles long. Suggested walking, cycling or driving routes may differ — they follow public rights of way, lanes, bridges and access points rather than the river channel. The Otter Valley Trail is a curated guide, not a single continuous waymarked path.

Key

Food & Drink
Lodging
Cider
Orchards
Trees
Other

Leg I12.1 mi · 19.5 km

The Upper Valley

Blackdown Hills to Honiton

Wilderness, hidden springs and traditional markets.

Start Otterford / Upottery · EX14 9QE

Start at Otterford Lakes where the river first runs clear, then follow rural lanes and public footpaths south through Upottery, finishing in the lace-and-antiques town of Honiton.

Why this leg leaves the river In its upper reaches the Otter runs through private farmland with no continuous riverside footpath. The walking line therefore follows the western ridge via Luppitt and Dumpdon Hill — an Iron Age fort and one of the finest viewpoints in East Devon — before rejoining the valley at Honiton.

Stops along the way

01
The Sidmouth ArmsUpottery
A historic coaching inn — the obvious lunchtime stop.
02
Honiton Antique & Lace QuarterHoniton
Famous worldwide for its lace-making heritage; the antique shops are still going strong.
03
Thelma Hulbert GalleryHoniton
Award-winning public gallery for contemporary art and craft in a Georgian townhouse.
04
Heron FarmWeston
Riverside vineyard, kitchen and farm shop on the banks of the Otter and Wolf — beaver and otter spotting from the paths.
Address
Heron Farm, Weston, Honiton EX14 3NZ

Where to stay

Town-centre guesthouses or a boutique B&B in Honiton.

Leg II9.6 mi · 15.4 km

The Middle Valley

Honiton to Tipton St John

Cider orchards, ancient churches and local produce.

Start Ottery St Mary · EX11 1DQ

South from Honiton along the valley basin, through Alfington into Ottery St Mary, then on along the riverside to Venn Ottery and finally Tipton St John.

Stops along the way

01
The Fat OtterOttery St Mary
Lunch at The Fat Otter — the independent kitchen that took over the old Rusty Pig site.
Address
11A Yonder Street, Ottery St Mary EX11 1HD
02
St Mary's ChurchOttery St Mary
A 14th-century miniature of Exeter Cathedral, with a rare astronomical clock.
03
Bowhayes TreesVenn Ottery
A coffee on the deck, looking out over rows of field-grown trees.
Address
Bowhayes Farm, Venn Ottery, Ottery St Mary EX11 1RX
04
Bowhayes OrchardsVenn Ottery
A glass of homegrown cider next to 1,000-year-old St Gregory's Church.
Address
Bowhayes Farm, Venn Ottery, Ottery St Mary EX11 1RX
05
Bowhayes FarmVenn Ottery
Glamping bell tents and shepherd's huts on a working farm.
Address
Bowhayes Farm, Venn Ottery, Ottery St Mary EX11 1RX
06
The Golden LionTipton St John
Finish the day with a locally sourced supper at the village pub.

Where to stay

A bell tent at Bowhayes Farm, or a room at the Tumbling Weir Hotel in Ottery St Mary.

Leg III11.9 mi · 19.1 km

The Lower Valley

Tipton St John to Budleigh Salterton

Watermills, wetland wildlife and coastal crafts.

Start Otterton / Budleigh Salterton · EX9 6HG

Follow the Otter Valley path south from Tipton St John through Otterton, alongside the wetlands, and out to where the river meets the sea.

Stops along the way

01
Otterton MillOtterton
Watch the wheel turn, browse the gallery, eat freshly baked.
Address
Fore Street, Otterton, Budleigh Salterton EX9 7HG
Hours
Daily 10.00–16.00 (mill demos Tue & Thu, 11.00 & 14.00)
02
Otter Estuary Nature ReserveBudleigh Salterton
Boardwalks over the saltmarsh — wild beavers, migrating waders, sea lavender in summer.
03
Devon Beaver & Wildlife ToursBudleigh Salterton
A guided dusk walk to see the beavers up close.
Address
Meet point shared on booking — typically Lime Kiln car park, Budleigh Salterton EX9 6JN
Hours
Tours May–Sep, dusk only · booking essential
04
The Longboat CaféBudleigh Salterton
Coffee, cake and crab sandwiches on the pebbles.
Address
Marine Parade, Budleigh Salterton EX9 6NS
Hours
Daily 9.00–17.00 (winter to 16.00)
05
The Feathers HotelBudleigh Salterton
A pint and a plate on Budleigh Salterton High Street.
Address
29 High Street, Budleigh Salterton EX9 6LE
Hours
Bar 12.00–23.00 · Kitchen 12.00–14.30 & 18.00–20.30

Where to stay

A seaside cottage or an independent B&B in Budleigh Salterton.

Side trip

Venn Ottery & River Otter Ramble

A four-mile circular from Tipton St John through quiet lanes, field footpaths and historic churches — with a coffee at Bowhayes Trees along the way.

Start / finish: Tipton St John village car park, opposite Tipton Garage — EX10 0AF
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Distance: 4 miles · 6.4 km (about 4.5 miles with the Bowhayes coffee stop)
Time: About 1.5 hours walking, longer with a stop
Difficulty: Moderate — one steady climb out of the valley
Terrain: Field footpaths, kissing gates, wooden bridges, quiet lanes and an uneven woodland path. The riverside section is muddy after rain.
Parking: Free
Access: No stiles, but not suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters or buggies

The way round

Tap a numbered step or a map pin — the two stay in step with each other.

01
From the car park, pick up the field path north out of Tipton St John and follow it towards Aylesbeare Common and Harpford Woods.
02
Through the gates and over the metal bridge, then along an easy-to-miss path through long grass with the river below you to the right.
03
Cross the meadow — a heron often lifts from the water here — and continue past the field edge towards Venn Ottery.
04
Coffee stop: turn aside at Bowhayes Trees for a coffee among rows of field-grown trees before rejoining the route.
05
Follow the lane to Venn Ottery Green, cross the bridge and pass St Gregory's churchyard, where the Saxon chevron doorway dates to about 1095.
06
Turn right at the lane, then left after Harbor for the byway north and back towards the start via the junction at Venn Ottery St John Primary School.
07
Finish at the Golden Lion in Tipton St John for a wisteria-shaded beer garden and a plate of something small.

Map preview

The loop is drawn approximately — use OS Explorer 115 on the ground.

Coffee stop

Bowhayes Trees, Venn Ottery — a specialist tree nursery in the red soils of the valley, a short detour from the halfway point. Bowhayes Farm, Venn Ottery, Ottery St Mary EX11 1RX. Opening times vary — check before travelling.

Route facts follow the published Venn Ottery & River Otter Ramble in one magazine (onemagdevon). Directions here are a summary — carry OS Explorer 115 and check field paths after heavy rain.