Neighbouring seaside towns Exmouth and Sidmouth are certainly more well-known, but if you are looking for a coastal bolthole where you can escape the rat race then Budleigh Salterton in the East Devon Area of Outstanding National Beauty on England’s south west coast might be just the spot for you.
Entering the top ten for the south west region in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2022 has certainly put Budleigh Salterton on the map. Traditionally thought of as a haven for well-heeled retirees, the town is actually popular with all ages thanks to the great water sports opportunities, a modern skatepark, a popular local primary school (which even has its own swimming pool!) and the numerous family-friendly community run events throughout the year such as the Budleigh Literary Festival, Gala Week and regular children’s clubs and shows put on by the local library, village hall associations and dramatic society.
Indeed, whatever your interests, there seems to be a club or organisation to suit, from the Budleigh Film Society, to croquet, cricket, football and bridge clubs and arts and crafts initiatives. The town also throws a mean street party too!
Central to Budleigh’s appeal though is the stunning 2.5-mile pebble beach, which is part of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast and attracts a quieter crowd than the traditional hordes which descend on Devon and Cornwall’s beaches come the summertime. Although do be aware that the far western end of Budleigh’s beach is known for its nudist sunbathers!
City slickers will be pleased to know that Budleigh isn’t as cut off as it may at first appear, with Exeter only 15 miles and around 30 minutes’ drive north east of the town. Whilst there hasn’t been a train station in Budleigh Salterton since 1967 thanks to the Beeching cuts, there are frequent bus services to nearby Sidmouth and Exmouth, and you can take the scenic 25-minute train journey from the latter along the River Exe into Exeter city centre. Direct train services from nearby Tiverton and Honiton also reach London Paddington and London Waterloo in 2 hours 30 minutes and 2 hours 50 minutes, respectively.
Budleigh itself is also known for its thriving high street and you can certainly find all the essentials along with access to a doctor, dentist, and chemist locally. As highlighted by the BBC earlier this year, footfall has increased massively in the town of late and there are a great range of independent retailers including a green grocer, butchers and two bakeries. Zero waste shop Budleigh Unwrapped, Findlay’s Wine, circular fashion store Pobble and charming newbie The Treasury all do a roaring trade too. Indeed, the only chain shops are the long-standing Co-op, a Spar and new kid on the block, Tesco Express.
Whilst admittedly there may be a few too many hairdressing salons and charity shops and a lack of a decent pub in Budleigh, you can always enjoy a drink with a view at the Long Boat Café or wander down the road to popular Otter Mill or the community-owned and run Sir Walter Raleigh pub in the Elizabethan adventurer’s home town of East Budleigh. The much anticipated new cricket club will offer year round dining and entertainment options too and Marco’s, the Taj Mahal and art café Brook Kitchen fly the flag for Budleigh’s evening diners.
Whilst Budleigh may have joined the prestigious list of the UK’s top 10 most expensive sea side towns this year, your money will still go much further here than pricey frontrunners Salcombe and Sandbanks where the average property prices in 2022 were £1,244,025 and £952,692 respectively.
In contrast, while there may be plenty of multi-million-pound properties to be had in Budleigh Salterton, there are also lots of affordable family homes on offer too. Greenway Lane, Barn Lane and surrounding streets all offer properties for less than the national average and are within easy walking distance from St Peter’s CofE Primary School. The new Evans Field development has two bedroom terraces on offer for £280,000 and three-bedroom homes priced from £310,000 as well.
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