Seaton Circular via Branscombe Walk

A lovely walk along the beach from Seaton seafront heading west along the esplanade. You then drop onto the beach and continue until steps take you to the cliff top (passing a tearoom on the right with great views out to sea). The route then follows a shady path down to Beer (more refreshments) before following an elevated path onto Branscombe beach which has The Sea Shanty Beach Café.
From here you turn inland, walking past streams and the Manor Mill now grinding animal feed (open to public Wed and Sun only), then through the picturesque village of Branscombe, and climb up through woodlands, around fields through a very rural area back to Seaton.

Note: If the tide is high along the beach in Seaton, you can take the steps up from the end of the Esplanade next to a tea room. It is signposted ‘Coast Path Inland Route for high tides’ and it will take you to the cliff top from where you can continue the walk.

A Westerly Extension, initially along the coast, then inland through a couple of scenic coombes, and past a very remote pub in Street adds 3.9 km and 129m ascent/descent. Bear in mind last bus to Lyme Regis is 2 hours earlier in winter than summer!

Walk from Seaton to Lyme Regis along the Undercliff (landslip): this would make it a very long and strenuous day if walked on top of the circular walk, so works best as a standalone walk from Seaton or maybe after an out-and-back to Beer. It is a very lovely but steeply undulating walk above the sea, under a dense green forest canopy with glimpses of the sea and adds 11.4 km (7.1 mi) and 400m ascent! Many steps have been laid along this route, making this walk somewhat less challenging than it used to be. Note: Once on this path you cannot get off (cliffs on one side, sea on the other). This option is taken from #swc156 - South West Coast Path: Seaton to Lyme Regis via the Undercliff

Swimming options: These are available in Beer and Branscombe.

The Seaton Tramway: a heritage narrow gauge tramway running along Axe Estuary through wetlands and countryside to Colyford and ancient town of Colyton. https://www.tram.co.uk/

Seaton is served by several bus lines from larger towns with train stations or with buses connecting to train stations, they include Taunton, Honiton, Axminster and Lyme Regis.

• The Sea Shanty Beach Café, Branscombe Beach, Branscombe EX12 3DP (01297 680 107). Located 5.6 km into the walk.
• The Fountain Head Inn, Street, Branscombe EX12 3BG (01297 816 397, https://thefountainheadinn.co.uk/). Located on the Street Extension, after 8.0 km
• The Masons Arms, Branscombe EX12 3DJ (01297 680 300, https://masonsarms.co.uk/). Located 7.3 km into the walk and 11.2 km into the extended walk.

In Beer

• The Dolphin Hotel, Fore Street, Beer EX12 3EQ (01297 301 700, https://www.dolphinhotelbeer.co.uk/);
• Barrel of Beer, Street, Branscombe EX12 3BG (01297 228 24).

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

You can also upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Apr-26 Tahnyet