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Salcombe Hill and the Donkey Sanctuary Circular Walk
...following parts of the famous South West Coast Path, the views of the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site cliffs and valleys are not to be missed. Pass inland through the Donkey sanctuary before returning via picturesque Salcome Regis...
Distance:
Time:
Difficulty:
Start Point:
5 Miles
3 Hours
Moderate
Salcombe Hill National Trust Car Park, EX10 9AG
Pub/Restaurant:
1. Start your walk at the National Trust car park. Take the path past the picnic tables, and follow the footpath to the cliff where you can enjoy fantastic views of Sidmouth, High Peak, Ladrum Bay and beyond.
2. Take the path to the left and follow the ‘Coast Path Salcombe Mouth ½m' sign through South Combe Farm which was dedicated as a permanent open space by Oliver Vaughan Cornish in 1937. After enjoying the view at the ‘frogstone’, walk down the ‘frogstone steps’. At the bottom of the valley, continue past the steps which lead to Salcombe Mouth and follow the “Coast Path Weston Mouth 1m” sign and along the edge of the field and across a small footbridge.
3. After crossing the bridge, follow the Coast Path across the field towards Weston Mouth and up the steps to Higher Dunscombe cliff. At the top of the steps, continue to follow the Coast Path towards Weston Mouth (signposted ‘Coast Path Weston Mouth 1½m’) across two fields and through a kissing gate to get a fantastic view of Weston beach.
4. After admiring the view, continue following the coast path towards Weston Mouth, through a small wood, up some steps and along the coastline. Please take care along this part of the route. After prolonged wet weather this path can get slippery.
5. Turn right in the next set of woods (signposted ‘Weston Mouth ¼m’) and continue following the coast path past Weston Plats. Turn left at the kissing gate at the steps leading down to Weston Mouth beach (signposted ‘Public Footpath Dunscombe 1m’).
6. Head inland and walk across two fields. At the signpost, take the footpath to the right towards Slade House Farm (The Donkey Sanctuary). Continue heading inland through The Donkey Sanctuary’s ‘Field of Dreams’ and past their nature centre and hermitage woodland hut. As you reach The Donkey Sanctuary’s paddocks, turn left and follow the ‘Public Footpath Salcombe Regis 1½m’ sign which will lead you into the heart of the dog-friendly Donkey Sanctuary (admission free, open every day until sunset) which is home to over 500 donkeys and mules.
7. After exploring The Donkey Sanctuary, leave the main car park (next to Shelter 1) and take the path opposite (just to the left) signposted ‘Public Footpath Trow ½m, Salcombe Regis 1m’. Continue across two fields. After passing the third kissing gate you will come to a crossroad of footpaths, continue straight over taking the path through the metal gate which is to the left of a five-bar gate. Follow this path across a field and diagonally across a second field.
8. Turn right at the stile and follow the quiet road down the hill to Salcombe Regis. At the end of the road, by Soldier’s Hill House, turn left and walk down the hill towards Salcombe Regis church.
9. After visiting the church and walk down the hill towards the beach and then take the footpath on the right opposite Springcombe House (signposted ‘Public Footpath South Combe Farm and Coast Path ¾m”). Take the second footpath on the right through the woods (signposted ‘Public Footpath Sidmouth 1 ½m’ and continue straight ahead towards Salcombe Hill and carpark. Continue along this footpath until you reach a dirt road next to a barn. Turn right onto the dirt road and follow this back to the National Trust car park where you began your walk.
