Brine Baths

There's a peculiar stretch of Devon coastline near Budleigh Salterton where the cliffs themselves seem to weep salt water. The Brine Baths are what remains of a 19th-century enterprise that once drew visitors hoping the mineral-rich waters would cure what ailed them - a thoroughly Victorian notion that somehow still feels rather compelling when you're standing there watching the brine pools.

What you're actually looking at is a series of natural salt springs that emerge from the red sandstone cliffs. The water collects in shallow pools, and on a sunny day the whole thing glimmers with an almost otherworldly quality. It's not dramatic or particularly grand, but there's something genuinely arresting about it - the sheer oddness of salt water bubbling up from English soil.

Walkers will find this most rewarding. It sits on a proper coastal path stretch between Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth, so you can build it into a longer ramble rather than treating it as a standalone visit. The setting matters more than the attraction itself, honestly. Families with young children might find it underwhelming - there's not much to actually do beyond looking and maybe dipping a hand in if you're adventurous. History buffs will appreciate the industrial heritage angle, though there's precious little signage explaining what you're seeing.

Allow 20 minutes unless you're stopping for a picnic or a proper coastal walk. It costs nothing and works brilliantly as a waypoint between the nearby holiday parks - Ladram Bay and Oakdown are both close enough for an afternoon excursion. Spring and early summer are best when the light catches the water properly.