Straight Point

Straight Point is a headland on the south coast of England, between Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton in Devon. It lies about 16 kilometres south of Exeter, 4 kilometres southeast of Exmouth and 11 kilometres southwest of Sidmouth. The Royal Marines use the top of the headland as a firing range, set up during the second world war. To the west is Sandy Bay, a holiday beach reachable by coastal path or through a large caravan park. To the east are Otter Cove and Littleton Cove, with a navigational light established in 1950 to guide ships in difficult conditions. The red sandstone cliffs at Straight Point reveal some of the earliest geology along the coast. They belong to the Exmouth Formation and date from 250 million years ago, formed in a desert during the Triassic period. The cliffs consist mainly of layers of Aylesbeare Mudstone, with some sandstone, all marked by their red colour. At the east end an erosional platform shows quartzite pebbles from the Budleigh Salterton pebble bed, visible nearby at Littleham Cove. At low tide much of the western section can be walked from Sandy Bay, though only a small part of the eastern side is accessible. Visitors find a rugged coastal landscape shaped by ancient deserts and shaped further by the sea. The red cliffs rise steeply above the shore, their layers telling a story millions of years old. Sandy Bay offers a wide sandy beach for holidaymakers, while Otter Cove and Littleton Cove provide quieter coves to explore. The navigational light on the point warns ships of the challenging approach. Walkers can follow the coastal path or venture onto the shore at low tide to examine the exposed rock platforms and pebble beds. The contrast between the desert-formed cliffs and the restless waves creates a striking scene.