The Goat Walk

The Goat Walk near Exeter is a proper cliff-edge path that hugs the red sandstone coastline with genuinely dramatic drop-offs on one side. You're walking along a narrow track carved into the cliff face - in places it's barely wider than your shoulders - with the sea crashing below and Devon spreading out behind you. It's the kind of walk that makes your legs feel a bit wobbly, even if you're not usually bothered by heights.

The path itself is free and takes about an hour to complete, though you'll want longer if you stop for photos or just to catch your breath. It's not a casual stroll - the terrain is uneven, can be muddy after rain, and the cliff edge demands respect. Families with young kids might find it nervy; teenagers and confident walkers will love it. The best time is when the weather's clear and the ground's dry - a damp day here is genuinely hazardous.

The real appeal is the sheer weirdness of walking so close to the edge without barriers. There's no visitor centre, no infrastructure, just you and the coastline. It sits well within reach of the holiday parks dotted around Exeter and the Dawlish area - Castle Brake and Dawlish Sands are both within five miles. If you're based at one of the Haven parks further out, it's an easy drive for an afternoon that feels properly adventurous without requiring proper mountaineering kit.