Five Scenic Drives Starting from Honiton

Honiton is an excellent launch point for exploring East Devon by car. The town sits between rolling farmland, the Blackdown Hills and the English Channel, so a short drive can quickly change from quiet lanes and village greens to sea cliffs, estuary views or wooded country roads.

For Australian visitors, the landscape feels compact rather than remote. Distances are measured in kilometres, roads use the left-hand side, and even a full day out may involve little more than 80 to 140 kilometres of driving. The key is to allow time for narrow lanes, walkers, cyclists, village traffic and frequent stops at viewpoints, cafés and historic places.

Honiton To Sidmouth Through The Otter Valley

The A375 provides one of the simplest scenic outings from Honiton, running south towards Sidmouth through a patchwork of fields, hedgerows and small settlements. It is a pleasant route for travellers who want a coastal destination without committing to a long day behind the wheel. Sidmouth is roughly 15 kilometres away, although the winding road and possible summer traffic mean the journey can take longer than a map suggests.

Sidmouth rewards an early arrival. Walk along the seafront, explore the red-sandstone cliffs and browse the independent shops before continuing through the surrounding countryside. The town’s Regency architecture gives the stop a different character from the older villages around Honiton, while Connaught Gardens offers a peaceful break above the beach.

A useful variation is to return through Ottery St Mary and Tipton St John, creating a circular drive through the Otter Valley. Ottery’s large parish church and traditional town centre make it worth a pause, while the lanes near Tipton St John pass wooded banks and the River Otter. Drivers should take care with passing places, since many Devon roads are narrower than suburban streets in Melbourne or Brisbane.

Jurassic Coast Villages And Clifftop Views

A second route heads south-east from Honiton towards the Jurassic Coast, using the A3052 and local roads to reach Seaton, Beer and Branscombe. This is one of the most rewarding coastal excursions in the area, combining fossil-rich cliffs, steep-sided valleys and villages with a strong sense of place. The scenery becomes more dramatic as the road approaches the coast, but several sections are narrow and bend sharply.

Seaton is a practical first stop, with a long seafront, cafés and access to the Seaton Tramway. From there, continue towards Beer, a former fishing village set beside white cliffs. Beer Beach is reached on foot from the village, and the steep walk back makes sensible footwear worthwhile. Branscombe, tucked into a wooded valley, is especially attractive for a slower afternoon involving a pub lunch and a walk through the National Trust estate.

Those travelling with a dog can plan a meal stop using this guide to dog-friendly pubs and cafés in Honiton. Check individual venue rules before setting out, since seasonal restrictions on beaches and changes to opening times are common. Australian visitors should also remember that UK coastal paths may include stiles, uneven surfaces and cliff edges without the broad safety barriers found at some major Australian lookouts.

Across The Blackdown Hills

For inland scenery, drive east from Honiton towards the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The A30 provides a quick connection towards Yarcombe, after which smaller roads lead through Stockland, Dalwood and the high wooded ridges. This landscape is defined by open commons, deep valleys, ancient hedges and broad views across the Devon and Somerset border.

The Blackdown Hills are ideal when the weather is changeable or when a quieter day away from the coast is appealing. There are no large resort crowds, and the route can be adapted according to daylight, road conditions and walking plans. Stop at a village pub, take a short footpath across the commons or find a viewpoint near the ridge roads. The drive is particularly atmospheric in autumn, when the beech trees turn gold and mist settles in the valleys.

Continue towards Wellington for a longer loop, or turn back through local lanes before reaching the county boundary. Navigation apps can select very narrow roads as the fastest option, so it is sensible to compare the suggested route with an Ordnance Survey map or a local road map. Fuel stations are less frequent than in Australia’s larger regional centres, and mobile coverage can be inconsistent in hilly areas.

The Exe Estuary And East Devon Coast

A westbound drive from Honiton can combine Exeter, the Exe estuary and the seaside towns of Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton. Take the A30 towards Exeter, then follow the A376 south-east to Exmouth. The route becomes more open around the estuary, where mudflats, reed beds and tidal channels attract wading birds throughout the year.

Exmouth is the liveliest stop on this drive, with a long sandy beach, a working harbour and plenty of places for lunch. From there, continue along the coast towards Budleigh Salterton, a smaller resort known for its pebble beach and calm, family-friendly atmosphere. The road between the two towns offers glimpses of the coast and estuary, while nearby footpaths provide opportunities to leave the car behind.

This excursion suits Australian travellers who enjoy waterfront walks but prefer a gentler coastline than the cliffs near Beer. Pack a hat, water and sunscreen even on a cool-looking day; Devon’s exposed beaches can produce strong glare, much as a winter walk around Perth or Adelaide can catch visitors off guard. Check tide times if wildlife viewing is part of the plan, and observe local parking signs rather than assuming Australian-style all-day roadside access.

Exeter, Haldon Forest And The Teign Valley

The fifth outing heads west to Exeter before turning south towards Haldon Forest and the Teign Valley. This route offers a useful mix of city culture and wooded countryside. In Exeter, visit the cathedral close, walk beside the River Exe or browse the compact city centre before continuing towards Haldon Forest Park.

Haldon Forest has marked walking and cycling trails, picnic areas and elevated views across the surrounding countryside. From the forest, a loop through Dunchideock, Ide or the Teign Valley gives the drive a more rural finish. The roads here are attractive but can be steep and winding, especially after rain, so allow more time than the distance might imply.

Garden lovers can add a short botanical stop to a wider travel plan; this botanical garden guide offers useful ideas for combining planted landscapes, walking and a relaxed morning rhythm, even though its setting is far from Devon. Back in England, Exeter’s gardens and Haldon’s forest trails provide the local version of that same easy-paced experience.

For Australians, this is also the most convenient route for mixing a scenic drive with shopping and practical errands. Exeter has larger supermarkets, cafés and transport connections than the villages, while Honiton’s market and independent shops are better suited to a slower browse. If travelling during July school holidays or around bank holidays, start early to avoid congestion near Exeter and the coast.

Practical Planning Checklist

These routes work best when treated as flexible day trips rather than strict itineraries. A drive of 50 kilometres can take several hours once village traffic, walking paths, photo stops and parking are included. The UK Highway Code applies to every road, and parking rules are enforced in towns, beaches and protected landscapes.

Australian passport holders should check the current UK entry requirements before travel. The United Kingdom’s electronic travel authorisation system applies to eligible visa-free visitors, and requirements can change, so use official government information rather than relying on an old booking email. Travel insurance should also cover walking, car hire excess and delays caused by weather or road closures.

Drive Approximate return distance Main scenery Good for
Honiton–Sidmouth loop 45–65 km Otter Valley, seaside and villages A relaxed first day
Seaton, Beer and Branscombe 55–75 km Cliffs, coves and coastal paths Jurassic Coast views
Blackdown Hills 60–110 km Commons, wooded ridges and valleys Quiet countryside
Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton 75–105 km Estuary, beaches and wetlands Waterfront walking
Exeter and Haldon Forest 70–120 km City, woodland and high viewpoints Mixed sightseeing

Choose a route according to the weather and the kind of day you want, rather than trying to cover every landmark. The coast is spectacular in clear conditions, the Blackdown Hills are atmospheric in soft weather, and Exeter with Haldon Forest provides a reliable alternative when wind makes exposed beaches uncomfortable.

Keep Honiton as your base, set out with room for unplanned stops, and let the smaller roads reveal the landscape between the major attractions. A well-paced drive through East Devon can turn a short holiday excursion into one of the most memorable parts of an English journey.