Seaton to Lyme Regis through the Undercliff
Walk Details
- Distance: 7 miles.
- Time: 3½ to 4 hours.
- Height Range: Sea level to 80 metres.
- Path: strenuous and demanding.
- Hills: steep.
The Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliff is a National Nature Reserve and is the largest self sown ash woodland in Britain. Walkers can enjoy this fascinating landscape by walking the 7 mile long part of the South West Coastal Path which runs through the Undercliff.
This section of the East Devon and Dorset coast line has been prone to land slips for thousands of years. Although land slips still occur due to the instability of the ground and cliffs, the largest and most spectacular landslip of recent times occurred on the coast line at Dowlands Cliffs between Axmouth and Lyme Regis at the Christmas of 1839.
The cliff tops are 100m – 150m above sea level with the landslip sharply dipping down to 20m above sea level forming a landscape which is sheltered from the worst of the weather and benefits from its own micro climate.
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Over the Old Concrete Bridge.
Turn left along the Axmouth Road.
Up the Axe Cliff Golf Club.
A steep uphill climb.
Through the Golf Club Car park.
Follow the signs across the course.
Looking back at the Club House.
Onto the Green Lane
Turn right onto the Coastal path.
Across the fields towards the sea.
Towards the Undercliff.
A bench overlooks Lyme Bay.
Descending into the Undercliff.
The path is enclosed by vegetation.
The landslip does give views of the sea.
A last glimpse of Beer Head.
Dowlands Cliffs above the landslip.
The path varies from level.
To uphill.
The type of vegetation varies.
The trees change.
There are still signs of the landslip.
The path is well marked.
Another glimpse of the sea.
Looking down the undercliff.
Lush vegetation.
Plants flower early.
Another glimpse of the sea.
Wooden steps have been made.
The path gets easier.
Remains of buildings lost in the landslip.
Information signs mark the way.
The lane to Rousden.
Information about the terrain.
Remains of the Pump house.
The sea comes back into view.
But there is still a way to go.
Looking back at the steep climb up steps.
There are a lot of steps.
Cliffs above the Undercliff.
Welcome steps up steep slopes.
Dense vegetation.
Concrete steps.
Back into the undergrowth.
You can see how far you have to go!.
Another Pumping Station.
The path widens out.
The going here is easier.
Pinhay Cliffs.
Information board on Pinhay Cliffs.
Pinhay Bay.
Fungus.
The vegetation starts to change.
The path goes up steps.
Hidden ponds in the Undercliff.
But its back into the undergrowth.
A glimpse of the Golden Cap.
Out of the Undercliff.
On to an old roadway.
The map tells us we are almost at the end.
The track is easy walking.
Follow the signpost off the track.
Different vegetation.
The gate into Ware Cliffs.
The sea comes back into view.
A welcome bench overlooks the Cobb.
Follow the fence.
The path leads across fields.
Towards Lyme.
The road leads up to the Pound St. carpark.