New Year's Day in Budleigh Salterton: The Flat Estuary Path

Short answer: The River Otter estuary path is flat, easy and better for birds in winter than summer. Walk the paved promenade rather than the beach — wet pebbles are genuinely treacherous.

Do not walk on the beach

The beach is large smooth pebbles, and wet pebbles on 1 January are treacherous underfoot, particularly for anyone unsteady. There is a paved promenade behind, and that is where to walk.

The walk

The River Otter

The estuary path behind the beach is flat and easy, and the wetland reserve is better for birds in winter than summer. The path upriver towards Otterton stays walkable after rain.

The promenade

Paved, level, with the red cliffs behind. The western sweep faces west, which is the best spot if the sun shows.

The swim

The pebble entry is the main consideration here — it shelves steeply and the stones move underfoot. Footwear helps, and so does going in with someone.

New Year's Day swims on this coast are organised by lifeboat crews, surf clubs and pubs rather than councils, and most are announced in the last fortnight of December on local Facebook pages. Check there rather than expecting a listing.

If you are getting in: the sea is colder on 1 January than at any point in the summer, cold water shock is the real risk rather than the temperature itself, and it is worth going in with people rather than alone. Walk in, do not dive, and get warm clothes on quickly afterwards.

Where to warm up

• The Salterton Arms — the town pub, off the main street, with a properly made steak pie.
• Brook Kitchen on the High Street — the best breakfast in Budleigh.
• Creedy's Corner — jazz on, dog friendly, and a well-priced cream tea.
• L'image Cafe & Bazaar — an old building with a fireplace, which is the right idea on 1 January.

Almost everywhere opens later than usual on New Year's Day, and some places do not open at all. Ring in the morning rather than assuming.

A safety note

The red cliffs along this coast are actively unstable and winter rain makes rock falls more likely, not less. Keep well away from the cliff base wherever it is signed.