Exmouth's 157 - Take a leisurely stroll along the Jurassic Coast between Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth with Stagecoach's hourly 157.

If you’re looking for one of the most beautiful coastal bus journeys in England, Stagecoach South West’s route 157 is an absolute gem. This delightful service takes you on a leisurely stroll along the Jurassic Coast between Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth, showcasing some of Devon’s most spectacular seaside scenery and charming market towns.

What makes this route special

Route 157 isn’t just a bus route – it’s a window into Devon’s coastal heritage. The bus winds its way through the heart of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, passing dramatic red cliffs, pebble beaches, and picturesque seaside towns that have barely changed in decades.

From there, it heads east further still, to the quaint Devon town of Sidmouth, where you’ll find equally dramatic cliffs.

What’s brilliant about this route is how it connects three very different but equally charming coastal destinations, each with its own character and attractions. You can easily hop off, explore, and catch a later bus to continue your coastal adventure.

The route breakdown

Starting from Exmouth Bus Station, the 157 takes you through:

• Exmouth – Popular seaside resort with golden sandy beaches and water sports
• Littleham – Quiet residential area on Exmouth’s outskirts
• Budleigh Salterton – Charming pebble beach town with Georgian architecture
• East Budleigh – Historic village with thatched cottages
• Bicton Park – Award-winning botanical gardens with bus stop right at the entrance
• Otterton – Pretty village in the Otter Valley
• Newton Poppleford – Traditional Devon village
• Sidmouth – Elegant regency resort town with stunning clifftop walks

The journey showcases everything from wide sandy beaches at Exmouth to the distinctive pebble shore of Budleigh Salterton, and the dramatic red cliffs around Sidmouth.

Things to do along the way

Bicton Park Botanical Gardens deserves special mention as one of Devon’s premier attractions. With over 64 acres to explore spanning nearly 300 years of gardening history, Bicton Park is home to many rare and beautiful species, collected from around the world.

The gardens include a miniature village, a large climbing camp and acres of informal gardens to explore and play in, plus the indoor and outdoor play area, Bicton Woodland Railway, farmland, countryside museum, historic glasshouses, nature trails, restaurant, garden centre and gift shop.

Budleigh Salterton is a gem of a seaside town, known for its distinctive pebble beach and rows of colourful beach huts. The town has maintained its Victorian charm and offers excellent coastal walks.

Sidmouth is perhaps the jewel in the crown – an elegant Regency resort town with beautiful gardens, independent shops, and some of the most spectacular cliff walks on the south coast.

Service frequency and connections

Stagecoach’s hourly 157 provides regular connections throughout the day.

The service operates daily, making it perfect for both day trips and longer holidays in the area. Extra buses run between Exmouth & Budleigh Salterton on Stagecoach 357, giving you even more flexibility for your journey.

Fantastic value for money

Here’s the best news of all – travel on this route for just £3 per journey, until December 2025! This makes it incredibly affordable to explore multiple destinations along the coast.

Concessionary passes are accepted on this route, so if you’re eligible for free bus travel, this spectacular coastal journey won’t cost you anything extra.

Day tickets and weekly passes are also available, perfect if you want to use the bus as your base for exploring the area.

Top tips for your journey

• Time your tide:
  Budleigh Salterton’s pebble beach looks different at high and low tide – both are beautiful in their own way.
• Pack your walking boots:
  The coastal path connections from all three main towns offer some of England’s finest cliff walks.
• Allow extra time:
  Each destination has enough to fill several hours, so don’t try to cram everything into one day.
• Check for events:
  Sidmouth is famous for its folk festival, while Budleigh Salterton hosts various seasonal events that might affect bus timings.
• Bring a camera:
  The red cliffs and blue seas create some truly spectacular photo opportunities, especially around golden hour.

Year-round appeal

Unlike some coastal routes that are seasonal, the 157 runs year-round, making it perfect for discovering the Jurassic Coast in all seasons.

Spring brings wildflowers to the cliff tops, summer offers perfect beach weather, autumn provides dramatic skies and fewer crowds, while winter reveals the raw beauty of the coast without the summer visitors.

Planning your coastal adventure

Route 157 isn’t just a bus journey – it’s your gateway to one of England’s most beautiful stretches of coastline.

Whether you’re interested in geology (this is a World Heritage Site for a reason), botany (Bicton Park is world-renowned), history (these towns have stories going back centuries), or simply want to enjoy some of the finest coastal scenery in the country, this route delivers.

The beauty of the 157 is its flexibility. You can take a quick trip to one destination, or spend a whole day coast-hopping. Many visitors use it as part of longer South West Coast Path walks, taking the bus one way and walking back along the cliffs.

At just £3 per journey, Route 157 offers some of the best value sightseeing in Devon. So next time you’re in the area, hop aboard and discover why this corner of the Jurassic Coast continues to captivate visitors from around the world.