Otter Cove

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Otter Cove is a small secluded cove on the south coast of Devon, England, between the coastal towns of Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton. It is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Due to a landslip, the cove is no longer accessible from the headland.

The top of the headland, Straight Point, is used as a firing range by the Marines.

Geology

The cliffs at Otter Cove are formed mainly of mudstones belonging to the Aylesbeare Mudstone Group, interbedded with red sandstones. [1] These rocks date from the Triassic period, around 245 million years ago. [2] Their distinctive red coloration reflects deposition in an arid desert environment. [3]

In the corner of Littleham Cove, there is a marked fault, producing a distinct change in the character of the cliffs. [1] South of this fault, at Otter Cove, the succession is dominated by fluvial sandstones that include beds with coarser, dark, subangular grains, approaching the texture of a fine-grained fluvial breccia. [2] [4]

On the eastern side of Straight Point, the cliffs expose sandstones of the Exmouth Formation. [1] Access to this area is restricted to low tide from Littleham Cove, as noted in the official site designation. [4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Edwards, R.A.; Gallois, R.W. (2004). Geology of the Sidmouth District. British Geological Survey. ISBN   9780852724774.
  2. 1 2 Benton, M.J. (1997). The Triassic of Devon. Geological Conservation Review. Joint Nature Conservation Committee. ISBN   1861074077.
  3. ↑ "Triassic Desert Deposits". Jurassic Coast Trust. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Otter Estuary to Straight Point SSSI citation". Natural England. Retrieved 3 November 2025.

50°36′41″N3°21′31″W / 50.61127°N 3.35868°W / 50.61127; -3.35868

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