Latest news with #BudleighSalterton
The Guardian
13 hours ago
- The Guardian
Lookout, Devon! Our overnight stay in a 1940s observation post
It's not always possible to take a holiday, but sometimes the yearning to be somewhere else, to leave the pressures of daily life behind, is too hard to ignore. Last bank holiday weekend, with a 13th birthday to celebrate and a row of suns on the weather app, we found a solution. Our family of four, plus two of my sons' friends, would drive two hours west, to Devon. We'd stay by the sea, go cycling and swimming, play Perudo and sit around a campfire, eating birthday cake. And be home the next day. We'd be 24-hour party people. Only less rock'n'roll, more rock pools and bacon rolls. The catalyst was discovering Brandy Head on a Google Maps scroll. Like a mini youth hostel, sleeping six, with one double bed, two twin bunks, a shower room and an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area, this boxy little building sits on the clifftops between Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton, accessible only on foot. Perched nearly 60m above sea level, its terrace is the big selling point, enjoying such gull's-eye views of the sea that it feels like surfing a very tall wave every time you step on to it. Those views now bring a steady stream of guests to Brandy Head, but in the past they brought the RAF – the building was originally put up in 1940 as an observation post for the top secret Gunnery Research Unit based at RAF Exeter. Apparently, it was here that Prof Sir Bennett Melvill Jones perfected the revolutionary aircraft gunnery sight that helped give allied air forces superiority on D-day. Restored from dereliction five years ago by Nell and Sam Walker, tenants of neighbouring Stantyway Farm, in partnership with their landowner, Clinton Devon Estates, Brandy Head opened as a hikers' hut in 2021. Not only would a stay steeped in military history entertain the boys but it was also close to Haldon Forest Park for mountain-biking, and two beaches for swimming, paddleboarding and a dependable supply of ice-creams. We stopped at Haldon Forest Park on the way – and the boys and my husband, Richard, collected their pre-booked bikes and sped off along the park's trails to hurtle over jumps, bridges and boardwalks. I swerved pedals in favour of hiking boots and headed to Canonteign Falls, another find from map scrolling, just 15 minutes' drive away. Home to what the website describes as the highest waterfall in south-west England, Canonteign is a collection of lakes, woodland walks and gardens with a cafe and adventure playground. Its showpiece waterfall was created in the late 19th century, but the real magic lies beyond it, in the fern garden, planted in Victorian times. Largely forgotten, it has been restored by the current owners and the fern expert Julian Reed, and forms an atmospheric glade where children hunt for fairies. It was hard to leave this otherworldly spot, but there were boys to collect, and once reunited it was a half-hour drive to the sea, the back of the car a happy, flat-batteried fug of post-ride exhaustion. Snaking down lanes fizzing with cow parsley and red campion, and through thatched villages festooned with bunting, it felt less like we were driving to the coast and more like driving into the 1950s. Nell had left instructions for collecting the keys near Stantyway Farm's honesty cafe, a former Royal Navy warship container now stocked with tea, coffee, homemade flapjacks, squash and dog biscuits. It's possible to leave cars here and walk in along a slightly longer route, but we carried on to the end of the lane, from where it's a 10-minute walk up the fairly steep coastal path to Brandy Head. 'This is awesome,' said Alex, one of my sons' friends, spotting a display of bullets fixed under a plastic tabletop on the building's terrace, evidence of the ammunition testing that was also carried out here during the second world war. 'I'm in the top bunk,' said my newly teenage son Owen, racing to bag his spot. No sooner had we put our supplies in the kitchen and slumped on the sofa than a head popped round the open doorway. 'Ooh, can we have a look inside?' As Nell had warned us, visiting walkers are almost as much a feature of a stay here as the terrace is. The South West Coast Path runs along the front of the building and, while a good proportion of its hikers make up Brandy Head's bookings, others stop to fill up water bottles from the outdoor tap, or to rest on the benches. If you're looking for seclusion this is probably not the place, but, as a quirky overnight stay, it added to the charm. 'Beach time,' announced Lucas, another friend, when the walkers had left, sliders on, towel slung over his shoulders, chivvying the others out of the door. Turning east, it was a gentle 20-minute walk to Ladram Bay, a holiday park with a handy grocery store, a chip shop and a perfect little arc of public beach where we hopped over pebbles to swim in the bracing, briny cool. Sign up to The Traveller Get travel inspiration, featured trips and local tips for your next break, as well as the latest deals from Guardian Holidays after newsletter promotion After bowls of warming chilli and slices of birthday cake back at Brandy Head, we piled into the field behind the building and lit the firepit, set up there for guests to watch the sunset. 'This place is cool,' the boys agreed, before heading back inside to play cards. The next morning we drank tea on the terrace at sunrise before the day's walkers arrived, listening to skylarks and blackbirds. We walked to Budleigh Salterton, through the River Otter Estuary nature reserve, keeping an eye out for otters, beavers and sandpipers. We watched the boys whoop as they caught the chilly swoosh of more waves – and ate pasties from a kiosk on the beach before driving home. That evening by the firepit, though, Richard and I sat listening to waves breaking far below in the fading light. As hares leapt across the field in front of us, it was comforting to think that Stantyway Farm's wildlife-friendly approach has meant that land once used to prepare for war was now nurturing habitats for cirl buntings and peregrines. And those humans lucky enough to visit – even if just for one night. Brandy Head Observation Post sleeps six people and costs £180 for one night and £120 for each subsequent night
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Pupils can take over school for a day after £12k of fundraising
A head teacher in Devon has given children the opportunity to take over their school for the day after raising £12,000 for upgrades to a Hitchcock, of St Peter's Church of England Primary School in Budleigh Salterton, began a challenge to raise £100,000 for the urgent works to a temporary classroom that is 40 years old. As part of the challenge, students were tasked with raising £3,000 but quadrupled the amount."They have just blown me away because they have exceeded all expectations," Mr Hitchcock said. "They've actually raised £12,000 between them which is a ludicrous sum of money." Jacob, a student taking the role of co-headteacher for the day, said: "Instead of any normal teachers all the kids are going to get exchanged for the teachers."There's at least three different teachers in each class so I think it's going to go really well, it's going to be lots of fun and chaos and craziness." Jemima, another joint headteacher for the day, said she would let the pupil teachers choose the subjects they wanted to teach. The students will have their own staff room for the day in the school's library. 'Safe, sensible and supervised' Erin and Ava, joint deputy headteachers, were put in charge of a bouncy castle. They explained an additional surprise for students included the real deputy headteacher being in a hot dog costume and being sprayed with silly string and water. There will also be ice lollies for everyone and a nerf gun battle. Mr Hitchcock said: "The main rules for today, they have to be safe, sensible and supervised so as long as it's within those realms they're going to be able to pretty much do what they like."
The Sun
05-07-2025
- The Sun
‘Wonderfully unspoilt' seaside town in Devon is one of the UK's best hidden spots
NESTLED in Devon is one of the UK's best hidden gems that is home to a Jurassic coastline, quaint seaside villages and pretty beaches. Budleigh Salterton is a "wonderfully unspoilt" seaside town in Devon, according to Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays. 4 4 Located just 20-minutes from Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton is home to a huge beach and has fewer crowds than its popular neighbour. Just 7,000 people live in the seaside town. One person said in a Tripadvisor review: "Great scenery, friendly community, always clean, and great for the family." Another added that it is "wonderfully unspoilt". Alex Gwillim, a local expert from Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays said: "People often miss out on a visit to Budleigh Salterton because it is nestled between more popular destinations like Exmouth and Sidmouth which draw big crowds on a nice day. "Budleigh Salterton is a real hidden gem, boasting a beautiful pebble beach that stretches over two miles, the iconic red sandstone cliffs of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic coast, and a small town filled with unique local businesses to explore." There are plenty of things to do in the town including watersports such as paddle-boarding and kayaking, and there is a number of beach walks with local tea rooms and cafes. And as usual with quaint seaside towns - there is a great range of independent shops too. "Budleigh Salterton is also the perfect spot for nature lovers. Head along the beach towards the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve, a popular spot for bird watching," added Alex. "There are also easy walking trails with fantastic views of the Triassic sandstone cliffs and their fascinating geology." The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park In fact, the whole region is bursting with wildlife including beavers - which were once extinct but thanks to a reintroduction programme, they are now thriving around the town. As for places to stay, there are also a good amount of options. "[Because the town isn't too big, everything is easily accessible, and the beach is right on your doorstep," she continued. What makes the destination even better is that Budleigh Salterton's beach is one of the top 10 beaches in the South West, according to The Times and Sunday Times. The waters have been rated as 'excellent' in the Bathing Water Classifications 2024 - so it is a great spot if you want to take a dip. 4 And if you are worried about the beach being busy - it stretches 2.5miles long, so you are bound to find a spot. If you happen to be in the town during March or September, you can also attend the Budleigh Salterton Literature Festival which is one of the UK's best loved literary events, according to Visit Devon. The town also has an interesting history with connections to Sir Walter Raleigh - who was born nearby - and the region's salt-panning industry contributing the name 'Salterton'. Devon is also home to a Victorian English seaside town with no arcades or loud rides that has one of the UK's best beaches and it is loved by celebs. Plus, the hidden English beach that's the 'most beautiful place in the world' to close until next year.
