General
Budleigh Salterton is a small and quiet seaside town between Exmouth and Sidmouth and a favoured retirement location. Nude use of the further western end of the beach is well-known, traditionally 'tolerated' and has, in recent years, been marked by Council-erected advisory signs.

Getting There

Google Map

O.S. Map Ref: ST 060 816

MultiMap

Budleigh Salterton is reached by the B3178 from Exmouth or (in the opposite direction) from the A3052 and B3178 from Sidmouth. When in the town, the largest car park (paying) is just inland from the Eastern end of the beach off Salting Hill- but this is at the opposite end of the sea front.and some distance from the naturist section of the beach - although a level walk behind the beach.

There is a smaller car park in the town itself (off Fore Street), but it tends to fill up quickly and is limited to three hours stay. Another car park is situated off Station Road, beyond the town centre and further from the sea front..

The nearest access (on foot) to the naturist section of the beach is via Steamer Steps at the end of Rolle Road. The naturist beach is a few hundred metres to the west of this point.

Description
This is a pebble/shingle beach that slopes quite steeply - at high tide swimmers are out of their depth within a few yards of the water's edge. Swimming may not be safe when the sea is rough. The cliffs provide some shelter from the wind when from a northerly direction and they also offer opportunities for ornithology.

Some years ago the local council erected signs advising "nude bathing beyond this point" in order to deflect complaints from textiles who might wander into the area traditionally used by naturists. This has been seen by some as making Budleigh Salterton an "official" naturist beach. Although it does not alter the legal position at all, it may be reassuring to those who use the beach. In general, complaints have only arisen when naturists have strayed too close to the town and textile bathers - please exercise common sense.

At weekends, this beach is well-used by couples, families and singles of all ages. User reports suggest that there is relatively little problem with inappropriate behaviour, particularly in the area of the beach closer to the town. During the week and outside the high season, beach users are likely to be predominantly older people - reflecting the nature of a town popular as a retirement destination.

Facilities
Usual town facilities available in Budleigh Salterton, there are none on the naturist beach.

Accommodation

Being a holiday area, East Devon provides numerous options for places to stay. One beach user recommends Ladram Bay Caravan Site (near Otterton, a little to the east of Budleigh Salterton) for camping at £15 per night.

Water Quality
The seawater meets the standards of the EEC Bathing Waters Directive but may vary according to conditions.

Selected Visitor Comments

July 2002 - "I had the pleasure of using this beach this week... it was very clean and was enjoyed by many both single, couples, and families. I stayed on the beach for most of the day and had a fantastic time in glorious weather. I recommend it to everyone."

June 2004 - "..a lovely sunny day with light but intermittent high cloud. You could describe it as hazy sunshine. Walked about 300 yds West along beach on arrival, and found a couple of single blokes and single women, and about 100 yds further on a few more small groups. People steadily arrived all morning with many of the men removing their shorts/trunks etc just E of me so I guess I was unwittingly sitting on the "edge" of the perceived nudist-area... at 1.00pm there must have been about 60 folks...on walking back to the car realised there were more nude sunbathers than textiles on Budleigh Salterton beach yesterday morning ! I would certainly go again and would recommend it to first-timers. There were no random gawkers or strollers at all in the time I was there."

June 2004 - "We have been using this beach for the last couple of years and thoroughly enjoy the peace and quiet there. We have a couple of concerns though- the nudist end of the beach is clearly signed, but many people seem to be abusing this and encroaching on the Textile side. This does not seem necessary to us as there is plenty of beach for everyone..."

August 2005 - "My husband and I... were told about Budleigh Salterton by a mutual friend and were told it was ideal for first timers. The beach was clean with the naturist section being to the west of the beach. We made sure that we walked quite a way down the beach so not to upset textile bathers. There were lots of couples and some families that where really friendly and there were a few single men walking down the beach to the very far end...we will be definitely be doing nude bathing again..."

2007

July - "...my first time to nude sunbathe and I went to this place as it's nearest me. I had a great time and felt extremely comfortable and thought I would be shy but it wasn't an issue...noticed all ages although most were probably 50...the whole experience, which I'm looking forward to trying again, actually gave me confidence in myself. Highly recommended...

2008

March 19 - "I love this beach. In the summer, its really picturesque. Normally, people imagine a vast sandy beach in the summer, but I always think of this dainty pebble beach when I think about a summers day. The ice-cream shop called "The Creamery" is really good too, best in England apparently... this beach [is] perfect for a family day out, or with your partner...I strongly recommend coming to this beach at least once..."

May 27 - "This is a great naturist beach...very quiet when I got there with a few people about, mainly men... After half an hour or so more people including couples and men walked past and stopped to talk and I felt very relaxed in my naked state talking with strangers. I then had a naked walk down the beach before heading off."

June 07 - "I find it to be a great place to strip off and sun bathe. It's very long and narrow with a huge cliff face behind you for total privacy. Stepping into the water can be a bit daunting due to the pebbles and drops in depth. You are able to walk up and down the beach in the nude in the designated area and go for a dip, but you must cover up again when your about 300 metres away from the beach hut tea shop, heading towards the town."

July 21 - "A lovely beach and well sheltered by the cliffs but we have found the 500m sign a little confusing. We went early and walked a good distance along before settling down. Slowly more people arrived but all were single males and clearly some were not there for a naturist experience! The moral of this would appear that you don't need to go 500m... There were many naturists easily within 300m of the Steamer Steps but still far enough away that no offence would be caused. The mix improved the nearer we got to the steps."

July 27 - "Today [Budleigh] was Nude Central...with seemingly the population of a small village getting their kit off to enjoy the perfect weather today, with a flat calm sea as warm as bath water... lots of locals who seemed to know each other well and created a friendly atmosphere, all together in the all together. The nude population was nearly up to the Steamer cafe, and many topless women on the main beach."

2009

March 18 - "I try to get to budleigh as often as I can, just love the vibe of the place, so relaxed and friendly,the regulars will chat to you after they get to know you..."

May 1 - "When the sun is 100% guaranteed to be out all day, I'll head to Budleigh usually around noon in the weekdays, I tend to avoid weekends due to other commitments... love the beach and being able to strip off and sunbathe is great on this OFFICIAL nude beach... just walk a couple of hundred metres away from the beach tea shop and all is fine."

June 26 - "...as soon as I stripped my dress off, the guys came walking past us rediculously close almost treading on my towel... They spoiled each day for us. I am quite happy with no clothes on laying on my back on the pebbles, but i do draw the line at a parade of sad old men walking past my toes.."

July 01 - "In response to the post about pests, yes, there are an annoying few familiar faces...nobody wants these pests ruining it for everyone... I hope this does not put off any females from visiting."

July 14 - "As a single guy who has visited the beach a few times [I am] unsure of where to place myself on the beach. I feel looked at with suspicion if I'm anyware near couples or females and yet am I expected to walk the long walk further down the beach? Also, I sometimes like to sit up and look around, watching people, boats, water skiing or just look out to see yet feel I will be judged as a pervert if I do. Come to think of it, I like chatting too!"

July 27 - "We have made 3 trips to Budleigh over the past two summers & we can only find words of praise for this beach. There are no dunes for creeps & pervs to hide in, the behaviour of the naturists here has been virtually exemplary (unlike the people that frequent Studland!), the only minor blot on the landscape is the passing [sight-seeing] boats from Exmouth giving trippers a "thrill" by passing close to the shore!! ...come & enjoy the delights of Budleigh, nice folks, a really good mix of couples, singles of both sex & all a short walk from the nearest cafe!"

July 27 - "On saturday the boat came close enough for us to see that the skipper was wearing shades! The passengers were reasonably behaved in as much that they didn't shout comments but last year a procession of boats came by one afternoon & the catcalls & whistles were quite obnoxious!"

August 18 - "...visited the nudist beach having never bathed naked before... a little apprehensive, but we had no need to be, we both found that we could have our own space and soon got used to others walking past and even the odd smile or hello. We must say we wished we had done this ages ago..."

August 23 - "My boyfriend and I chose this beach as a first experience... we were one of the first there and were not quite sure how far was to far up the beach so we guessed and took it all off... I was a little nervous when the first few walked past but relaxed when I saw 2-3 men come dancing up the pebbles starkers and very proud, hilarious!!"

August 29 - "...it is strange when you first attend a nudist beach - where to look ..not to offend any one, but having been there a few times now I find it alot easier and generally just say hello when passing, as long as you are not just stood staring... no one really bothers... "