Summer at Steamer Steps

As you wander down the path above the cliffs by the West end of Budleigh Salterton beach, you’re treated to an amazing view of this one-mile stretch of the Jurassic Coast. Impressive all year round, it’s hard to tire of this scene, whatever the elements and however rough the seas. The coastline has looked exactly like this for hundreds of years when you browse old images online.

In the foreground, a family is climbing Steamer Steps, so called because paddle steamer ships used to pick up passengers directly (or ‘dreckly’!) from the shore for trips ranging from Torquay to Lyme Regis. Operating from around 1890 for several decades, ‘The Duke’ and ‘The Duchess of Devonshire’ were a regular feature on the Budleigh beach here.

Elsewhere in the image, you’ll notice the infamous treeline at Otter Head in the distance, the countless beautiful beach huts lining Budleigh’s stony beach, and the wide-ranging style of properties lining the seafront. A watchful seagull hovers above the steps, spying for scraps (or entire ice creams) from the unsuspecting people below.

This image features as June 2024 in my limited edition Budleigh 2024 calendar.

Want a quality and handmade framed A4, A3, or larger print of this unique landscape? Or maybe an impactful print on acrylic / canvas? Please get in touch for ready-made prints, delivered straight to your door and ready to hang on your wall.

Tech Specs: Shot on Canon 5D MkIV @ 45mm, ISO 400, f14, 1/200 sec. Enhanced in Lightroom. JPEG download only.