A ‘wonderfully unspoilt’ seaside town along Devon’s Jurassic coastline has been named one of the UK’s best hidden gems.

Located about halfway between Exmouth and Sidmouth is the little-known town of Budleigh Salterton, one of Devon’s best-kept secrets.

Singing the town’s praises, Alex Gwillim, a local expert from Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays, said: “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.”

He added that “people often miss out on a visit to Budleigh Salterton” as it’s nestled between the popular holiday destinations of Exmouth and Sidmouth, “which draw big crowds on a nice day.”

Budleigh Salterton’s huge beach and lack of busy crowds give this charming seaside make this a perfect place for family holiday, or for a couple enjoying a romantic along the coast.

Budleigh Salterton’s beach is one of the Top 10 Beaches in the South West, according to The Times. Its waters were rated “Excellent” in the Bathing Water Classifications 2024, making it ideal for swimming and water sports.

For adventure seekers paying a visit to Budleigh Salterton, Alex points out that there’s an excellent selection of water sports available, adding that you can hire standup paddleboards or even kayaks to explore the coastline by sea.

And for those who are planning for a more relaxing holiday, there’s still plenty to do, from strolling along the beach and enjoying the local cafes and tea rooms.

Sharing even more recommendations, Alex said: “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.

“There are also easy walking trails with fantastic views of the Triassic sandstone cliffs and their fascinating geology.”

For those looking to book a staycation in Budleigh Salterton, there are numerous cosy cottages, B&Bs and hotels available, and thanks to the town’s small size, wherever you stay, the beach will practically be on your doorstep.

Visitors to Budleigh Salterton have shared rave reviews of the beach on TripAdvisor, where the beach has a four-star rating. One wrote: “We loved this beach. It was nice and quiet. People were swimming and paddle boarding and it was perfect as the sea was so calm. It was nice and quiet despite it being a sunny June Sunday.”

“Has a lovely walk along the well kept promenade. Plenty of benches to rest a while and take in the view. Also well served with places to get a coffee, ice cream and lunch etc. No awful arcades just wonderfully unspoilt,” added another.

While a third penned: “Fabulous place to go for a walk. One can walk to Exmouth and be back in less than 4 hours. The whole walk was relaxing and the fabulous scenery.”

And a fourth wrote: “Great scenery, friendly community, always clean and great for the family, there is a great relaxing walk across the seafront which is accessible for everyone.”