The coastline is the main attraction of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; the westernmost 18 miles of the Jurassic Coast, between Exmouth and Lyme Regis. These two towns are excluded from the protected area, as are Sidmouth and Seaton, also along this part of the coast, though another seaside resort, Budleigh Salterton, is included. The western half of the coast is lined by richly-coloured red sandstone, while to the east, the sea cliffs are mostly pure white chalk.
The coastal bluffs are subject to landslips and in many places the coast path runs some way inland to avoid uneven terrain from previous disturbances, but much of the shore can also be explored at beach level, at least around low tide. Major sections, from west to east, include Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton, Budleigh Salterton to Ladram Bay, Ladram Bay to Sidmouth, Beer Head, and Axmouth to Lyme Regis.
Inland, the 103 square mile AONB includes the lower reaches of the valleys of the River Otter, River Axe and River Sid, together with scattered woods and much picturesque farmland, crossed by narrow, winding lanes. Two other geological features of interest are East Hill, a lengthy but narrow ridge covered by ancient beach coppices and conifer plantations, and the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths, a group of commons and rough grassland with acidic soils, underlain by river-deposited pebbles from the Triassic era: a rare example of a lowland heath. The northern boundary of the AONB, partly defined by the A35, runs just south of the larger towns of Honiton and Axminster.
The coastal bluffs are subject to landslips and in many places the coast path runs some way inland to avoid uneven terrain from previous disturbances, but much of the shore can also be explored at beach level, at least around low tide. Major sections, from west to east, include Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton, Budleigh Salterton to Ladram Bay, Ladram Bay to Sidmouth, Beer Head, and Axmouth to Lyme Regis.
Inland, the 103 square mile AONB includes the lower reaches of the valleys of the River Otter, River Axe and River Sid, together with scattered woods and much picturesque farmland, crossed by narrow, winding lanes. Two other geological features of interest are East Hill, a lengthy but narrow ridge covered by ancient beach coppices and conifer plantations, and the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths, a group of commons and rough grassland with acidic soils, underlain by river-deposited pebbles from the Triassic era: a rare example of a lowland heath. The northern boundary of the AONB, partly defined by the A35, runs just south of the larger towns of Honiton and Axminster.
Coastline Cliffs, beaches and landslips along a remote, seven mile section of the Jurassic Coast Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Red-rock coastline east of the River Otter; sheer cliffs above narrow, inaccessible beaches and marine terraces Rating: ★★★★★ |
 The westernmost four miles of the Jurassic Coast; richly-coloured red cliffs and sand/pebble beaches Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Six miles of the south Devon coast; pebble and sand beaches, and rock formations, below crumbling red mudstone cliffs Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Sheer cliffs, sea caves and scenic beaches eitehr side of Beer, along the Jurassic Coast. Also many summer wildflowers Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Red sandstone cliffs, isolated beaches and large sea stacks; part of the Jurassic Coast Rating: ★★★★★ |
Nature Reserves Varied nature reserve with a lake, several smaller pools, heath, scrub, grassland and woodland Rating: ★★★★★ |
 Heath, rough grassland and a spring-fed raised bog, home to rare plant species Rating: ★★★★★ |