Budleigh Salterton, Beach Breaks UK - Katie Charlotte Blogs

I spend a lot of time down by the Devon coastline. It’s become a second home to me over the years due to family and friends living there, and I like to think of it as my little ‘escape’ from reality. Budleigh Salterton is located on the Jurassic Coast in east Devon and happens to be the cutest weekend getaway. During a brief visit last weekend, I became all inspired to start sharing some of my favourite beach breaks with you on the blog.

The first of a few in this new series of posts, I hope you feel all inspired to make some summer plans in darling Devon…

Location: Budleigh Salterton, Devon

If I’m being totally honest, the main inspiration for writing this post came from these pastel beach huts…

#DiscoverDevon

You could be planning a mini break with your partner, a girls weekend away or a solo trip to clear the cobwebs – Devon is an idyllic destination for all ages, all occasions and even all weather types.

As someone who has seen a lot of the coast (with still so much to see too), I felt it only right that I shared this beach escape with you to perhaps inspire your summer plans this year. We’re lucky in the UK to have so many beautiful corners of the country to visit within an hour or so, particularly if you’re situated in south west England, and I’m a firm believer that when you require a ‘break’, you don’t necessarily need to hop on a plane to ‘get away’. There are so many parts of Devon to explore – from beautiful beaches to quaint little village towns – and I’m looking forward to sharing my favourites with you over the coming months.

Last weekend I managed to squeeze in a few days away by the sea, where I managed to ‘switch off’ and recharge my batteries – and at that point in time, there wasn’t anywhere else in the world I would have rather been.

What To Do…

Let’s start with a stroll along the beach. Budleigh Salterton boasts a 2 mile pebble beach which makes it perfect for long walks by the sea.

The noise that the stones make under your feet as you try and make your way to the water (without stumbling and falling on your face), the sound of the crashing waves, the lingering smell of fish and chips… not forgetting the sound of the seagulls flocking around you trying to steal said fish’n’chips.

Pebble beaches tend to be a lot quieter than sandy beaches, and the one in Budleigh has an air of exclusivity to it. There are several areas that you can pitch up, soak up the sun, read a book, eat ice cream to your hearts content, without feeling like you have other people invading your personal space.

You could be visiting in Winter, Autumn, Spring or Summer – it doesn’t really matter – there’s something quite special about walking along the sea front. Early birds can catch the sunrise by going for a morning run, night owls can enjoy a gentle stroll in the evening and social folk might want to picnic on the beach. I personally prefer winter walks in the day and summer strolls in the evening…

Of course, you haven’t got to spend all day on the beach. There are several eating spots nearby that you must visit too…

Who doesn’t like tea and cake by the sea?

It’s a welcome change to visit a place that doesn’t have several coffee chains or well-known eatery’s lining the high street. Instead, you can experience ‘homemade’ bakes and support local businesses with beautifully unique interiors. There are a variety of cute little cafés to visit during your stay, but my personal recommendations are the Longboat Cafe (right on the sea front), The Cosy Tea Pot and vintage tea shop Tea and Tittle Tattle.

If ice-cream is more your thing, you must stop by The Creamery for a variety of delicious flavours.

Shopping.

There is an array of shops ranging from arts and crafts to glorious gifts to spend your pennies on, including homemade fudge and vintage collectables. It’s a refreshing change to visit a town with none of the ‘typical’ high street shops to splash your cash in, but whilst I would like to say it helps me to save my money, I probably spend the same just on food and drink…

Book a wine tour.

Why not book a visit to Lily Farm Vineyard, a family run business where you can enjoy a guided tour and free wine tasting session (between April and September). It offers an insightful look into how the business started to an A-Z of how the wines are made, as well as a wonderful walk around the vineyard. Perfect for wine enthusiasts.

Where to stay…

If you’re using Budleigh as a base, you must check out the beautiful Heath Close hotel, a luxury 5-star Bed & Breakfast located just a short drive away from the beach.

There are some lovely B&Bs and hotels to choose from for your perfect weekend escape, whether you want to stay central or prefer somewhere a little more remote, but I’d recommend booking in advance as accommodation during the summer season fills up fast. I’d highly recommend opting for Airbnb if you’re seeking something a little bit ‘different’. There are some beautiful options to choose from, including barn conversions, cosy cottages and pretty ‘pods’, and they are located all around Devon.

I’ve personally only spent days out in Budleigh Salterton, so my experience of the seaside town is usually short but sweet (especially after an ice cream or two), but regardless – this beach escape is pretty perfect for a weekend getaway. The beach huts are definitely the main attraction for me, as they remind me of childhood memories by the beach with family, but the walk along the sea front is just as special.

Whether it’s a walk on the main path or dipping my toes in the sea as I slowly pace from one end of the beach to the other, it never fails to put me in a peaceful state of mind.

Before I sign off, I couldn’t resist sharing this pretty pastel restaurant with you.

Fifty Degrees North is tucked away in the hillside of Salting Hill in Budleigh Salterton, providing lunch, homemade cakes and drinks with a stunning beach view. Aside from being picture perfect, this family run business really is a hidden gem that you must experience.

Of course I couldn’t resist blending in with the exterior…