Devon · MMXXVI

The Otter Valley

A Walking Itinerary

Three Weekends on the River Otter

The Otter runs roughly twenty miles from a spring in the Blackdown Hills to the pebbles of Budleigh Salterton. Walked at a relaxed pace — with time for cider, a long lunch at a watermill, and an evening watching beavers — it falls neatly into three weekends. Each one ends near a pub or a bed.

The full route

Source to sea, all three weekends

Weekend I
10.1 mi
≈ 16.3 km
Weekend II
10.5 mi
≈ 16.9 km
Weekend III
9.5 mi
≈ 15.3 km
Total
30.1 mi
≈ 48.5 km · source to sea

Coloured lines mark each weekend; the W1 / W2 / W3 badges sit at the start of each leg, ★ at the finish. Distances are walking estimates (great-circle plus ~18% for footpath meander) — expect a little more on the ground.

Weekend I10.1 mi · 16.3 km

The Upper Valley

Blackdown Hills to Honiton

Wilderness, hidden springs and traditional markets.

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.

Stops along the way

  1. 01
    The Sidmouth ArmsUpottery

    A historic coaching inn — the obvious lunchtime stop.

  2. 02
    Honiton High StreetHoniton

    Famous worldwide for its lace-making heritage; the antique shops are still going strong.

  3. 03
    Thelma Hulbert GalleryHoniton

    Award-winning public gallery for contemporary art and craft in a Georgian townhouse.

  4. 04
    Heron FarmWeston

    Riverside vineyard, kitchen and farm shop on the banks of the Otter and Wolf — beaver and otter spotting from the paths.

Where to stay

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

Weekend II10.5 mi · 16.9 km

The Middle Valley

Honiton to Tipton St John

Cider orchards, ancient churches and local produce.

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

  1. 01
    The Fat OtterOttery St Mary

    Lunch at The Fat Otter — the independent kitchen that took over the old Rusty Pig site.

  2. 02
    St Mary's ChurchOttery St Mary

    A 14th-century miniature of Exeter Cathedral, with a rare astronomical clock.

  3. 03
    Bowhayes TreesVenn Ottery

    A coffee on the deck, looking out over rows of field-grown trees.

  4. 04
    Bowhayes OrchardsVenn Ottery

    A glass of homegrown cider next to 1,000-year-old St Gregory's Church.

  5. 05
    Bowhayes FarmVenn Ottery

    Glamping bell tents and shepherd's huts on a working farm.

  6. 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.

Weekend III9.5 mi · 15.3 km

The Estuary & Coast

Tipton St John to Budleigh Salterton

Watermills, wetland wildlife and coastal crafts.

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

  1. 01
    Otterton MillOtterton

    Watch the wheel turn, browse the gallery, eat freshly baked.

  2. 02
    Otter Estuary Nature ReserveBudleigh Salterton

    Boardwalks over the saltmarsh — wild beavers, migrating waders, sea lavender in summer.

  3. 03
    Devon Beaver & Wildlife ToursBudleigh Salterton

    A guided dusk walk to see the beavers up close.

  4. 04
    The Longboat CaféBudleigh Salterton

    Coffee, cake and crab sandwiches on the pebbles.

  5. 05
    The Feathers HotelBudleigh Salterton

    A pint and a plate on Budleigh Salterton High Street.

Where to stay

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