Ottery St Mary — Sidmouth

Ottsid two
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

By MartinPratt on 29 Apr 2021

Distance

12km/8mi

Ascent

-

Descent

-

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Description

Ottery St Mary to Sidmouth along the scenic River Otter then climb over Four Elms Hill to descend to Sidmouth along green lanes, finishing with walk around Sidmouth’s historic cricket field overlooking the sea

Ottery St Mary to Sidmouth along the scenic River Otter then climb over Four Elms Hill to descend to Sidmouth along green lanes, finishing with walk around Sidmouth’s historic cricket field overlooking the sea

Status

This route has been reviewed by 7 people.

There are no issues flagged.

Photos for Ottsid two

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.

Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 7

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (7)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 14

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 4X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.		 Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Maybe present Vegan restaurant (1)
Present at time of survey Accommodation (1)
Maybe present Accommodation < £50 (1)
Maybe present Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Maybe present Free wifi (1)
Maybe present Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Not present at time of survey Train station (1)
Present at time of survey Bench (1)
Present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Maybe present Stepping stones (1)
Maybe present Very slippery (1)
Present at time of survey Very muddy (1)
Not present at time of survey Very icy (1)
Present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Not present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Not present at time of survey Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Present at time of survey Gates (1)
Present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Maybe present Disables access gates (1)
Present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Not present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Present at time of survey Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Not present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 64.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 13.0% (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 15.0% (1)

The steepest camber: no data

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unclear in places (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Maybe present Small Pug-sized dog (1)
Maybe present Small Labrador-sized dog (1)
Maybe present Large St. Bernard-sized dog (1)
Maybe present Standard pram (1)
Maybe present Off-road rugged pram (1)
Maybe present Standard wheelchair (1)
Maybe present Off-road rugged wheelchair (1)
Maybe present Standard mobility scooter (1)
Maybe present Off-road rugged mobility scooter (1)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Maybe present Small Pug-sized dog (1)
Maybe present Small Labrador-sized dog (1)
Maybe present Large St. Bernard-sized dog (1)
Maybe present Standard pram (1)
Maybe present Off-road rugged pram (1)
Maybe present Standard wheelchair (1)
Maybe present Off-road rugged wheelchair (1)
Maybe present Standard mobility scooter (1)
Maybe present Off-road rugged mobility scooter (1)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

10.0% of the route is on roads (1)

7.0% of the route is lit at night (1)

10.0% of the route is paved (1)

5.0% of the route is muddy (1)

5.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)

1.0% of the route is through long grass (1)

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1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

4X May 2021 by MartinPratt
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Ottery St Mary
Grid Ref SY0984895390
Lat / Lon 50.75107° / -3.27931°
Easting / Northing 309,848E / 95,390N
What3Words shall.childcare.unopposed
Sidmouth
Grid Ref SY1243587325
Lat / Lon 50.67896° / -3.24073°
Easting / Northing 312,435E / 87,325N
What3Words humans.foal.live

Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.

reviews

Tim Ryan

24 Oct 2023 Autumn
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A nice safe route using the west bank of the Otter (mostly) between Tipton and Ottery. Very pleasant. Includes quiet lanes in and out of Sidmouth as well as around the village of Harpford, otherwise traffic free.

Andy Martin

30 May 2023 Spring
Report

Lovely route, with some very steep climbs at times! Great views of the countryside and nice diverse path.

Pilea

16 Dec 2022 Autumn
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Nice route! I especially enjoyed walking along the streams and river.

Danravenellison

16 Dec 2022 Autumn
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I really enjoyed walking this route. I used it as part of a hike between Budleigh Salterton and Honiton and am keen to come back and do the whole walk again in the summer.

Following the River Otter is a delight. Keep your eyes open for Kingfishers, which we've seen there before.

I agree that the crossing of the A3052 is less than ideal, but you can see cars coming. The day I walked it a couple of the paths had some long puddles to avoid. There are some steps on route too.

That all said, it's another great Slow Way to recommend!.

Nandm

26 Oct 2021 Autumn
Report

Attractive riverside walking south of Ottery St Mary - keep an eye out for beavers!
Take great care at the main road crossing at Harpford.
The track round the north (Greenway Lane) and east (Higher Greenway Lane) sides of Bulverton Hill can be very muddy after rain.
Expect lots of gates, stiles and mud - but fine countryside.

Alphacabbage1

23 May 2021 Spring
Report

Thanks for the your route & guide! I did a there & back a wet couple of days ago but deviated at Four Elms not being able to resist the woodland walking at Bulverton Hill / Mutters Moor & dropping on to the coast path. I note your warning about the A3052 road crossing at Harpford — it’s quite a shocker — and next time I’ll try rerouting via Harpford Wood to avoid it (assuming the crossing up the hill isn’t as bad).

MartinPratt

01 May 2021 Spring
Report

A very scenic route along good paths and greenlanes with a small amount of walking on minor roads and urban pavements. There are many steps and kissing gates along the route which makes the route only accessible by walkers.

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Overall ratings

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4 reviews

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Other Routes for Ottery St Mary—Sidmouth See all Slow Ways

Ottery St Mary—Sidmouth

Ottsid one

U U

Distance

13km/8mi

Ascent

346 m

Descent

389 m

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