- Stunning seafront views and beaches
- One of the best folk festivals in the world
- A great choice of independent shops
Sidmouth is one of the prettiest seaside towns of Devon, enjoying period 18th and 19th century architecture, stunning floral displays and a welcoming atmosphere year-round. The town is fiercely proud of it wonderful selection of traditional and independent shops, which are a refreshing break from the hum-drum high street multiples found in so many towns across the UK.
Added to its many beautiful and varied beaches, and one of the best folk festivals in the country, it’s easy to see why so many people come back to Sidmouth time and again to enjoy their holidays on the glorious coast nearby.
Food and Drink
Sidmouth has a wide variety of excellent restaurants, bars, pubs and food stores to visit. This is a town where you are truly spoilt for choice, and could easily dine out for breakfast, lunch and dinner somewhere different and fantastic every day of the week.
Family Attractions
The Donkey Sanctuary, situated at Slade House Farm is always a firm favourite with little ones. The donkeys live in the fields on farm, and enjoy the fuss and attention they receive from visitors. Open 365 days a year from 9am each morning, the sanctuary is free of admission and is well worth a visit on a sunny day.
Just nine miles from Sidmouth is the enthralling Pecorama model railway Exhibition and the Beer Heights light railway. The main Exhibition Hall displays many wonderfully detailed countryside, city and industrial railway layouts on a variety of different scales, often with push button controls for the trains, which children love to operate.
However the main feature is undoubtedly the scale model trains on which the entire family can ride through tunnels, under bridges and along a track which overlooks the enchanting village of Beer and enjoys views as far away as Lyme bay and Portland Bill.
Add these attractions to the stunning Peco Millenium Garden, which includes Sun, Moon and Rainbow gardens to reflect the nature and the colour of the flowers, shrubs and trees that can be found in each, and you have a great day out for the entire family.
Shopping
The character of the town is embodied in the high street where locally owned shops take pride of place in favour of the usual high street names. Speciality shops, dress shops, ladies boutiques and gentlemen’s outfitters, dairy shops and market stalls, are all in prominence.
History and Heritage
Sidmouth appeared in the Domesday Book as Sedemuda. Like many towns on the south coast, it was a small fishing village, and remained so until the fashion for coastal resorts grew in the Georgian and Victorian periods of the 18th and 19th centuries.
The town's numerous fine Georgian and Regency villas and mansions reflect this era, and today, much of Sidmouth’s history can be gleaned from the Blue Plaques that can be found on the buildings echoing an period when the nobility and members of London Society built fine houses in the town. Many still exist, while others have become charming hotels.
One such example is the Royal Glen Hotel which has a plaque to commemorate the visit of George III's son Edward, Duke of Kent, his wife and baby daughter (the future Queen Victoria). Sadly he died during his stay at Woolbrook Glen, which went on to become the hotel.
Fortfield Terrace is another fine example of period architecture, fronted by a double-headed eagle to commemorate the stay of the Grand Duchess of Russia in 1831. According to accounts of the time, she brought with her 100 gentlemen, ladies and servants on her visit to the town, images and accounts of which are among the treasures at the Museum next to the ancient parish church of St. Giles and St. Nicholas.
Of course the town’s history goes back before this period and there are a number of fine examples of properties from earlier periods, such as the cob-walled Old Ship Inn. Originally thought to be a monastery the Inn dates back to 1350 when it was renowned as a smugglers’ rendezvous in the days of brandy for the parson and baccy for the clerk.
Beaches
The main beach has plenty of amenities and is flanked by the beaches of Port Royal and Jacobs Ladder.
At Clifton the beach nestles against the red sandstone cliffs. To the eastern extremity lies Port Royal, where fishing boats still ply their way through the water, while the beach at Jacobs Ladder has become a magnet for families; you can hire a beach hut, enjoy a snack and wait for the tide to ebb to expose dozens of rock pools, which are perfect for shrimping, and golden sands, which are ideal for sandcastles.
Events and Entertainment
Sidmouth has become synonymous with its week-long folk festival, which takes place in early August and draws performers and fans from all over the country as well as internationally. Singing, dancing, drinking, storytelling, fireworks, and late nights are all a feature of this endearing and fascinating annual folk pilgrimage.
This is undoubtedly one of England’s very best folk festivals with over 600 performances and events to choose from, ranging from concerts to practical folk workshops and even ceilidhs.
Activities
The unspoilt character of Sidmouth is evident in the town’s floral presentations that range from hanging baskets to the impressive Connaught Gardens. A trip round the town will soon unveil the amazing displays that light up this town in the Summer, when a riot of floral colour hangs and trails from every ledge and vantage point. At this time of year it’s easy to see just why Sidmouth has won so many national and international floral awards, including a recent Gold Award at the Britain in Bloom awards.
Sidmouth is home to the Norman Lockyer Observatory and Planetarium, located on a hilltop site at Salcombe. The observatory, completed in 1912, fell into disuse and ruin but was saved from demolition by the appeals of local enthusiasts to East Devon District Council. The observatory now operates as a science education project and is open to the public.
In town the Manor Pavilion houses a small arts centre and a theatre that plays host to both amateur and professional productions. The town has one cinema, the Radway Cinema, an indoor swimming pool, a sports hall at the leisure centre, and a golf course.
Sidmouth also has its own Museum next door to the church of St Giles & St Nicholas, and is well worth a visit. It contains a host of local memorabilia, historical artefacts, and geological samples.
However Sidmouth’s charms don’t end here. The town makes an ideal self-catering base from which to explore the coast and countryside. Set in Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and within easy reach of the South West Coast Path, there are a dozens of stunning walks to enjoy and spectacular vistas to find. Add to this a stunning coastline dotted with the charming towns of Lyme Regis, Beer, Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton, and you can be sure that you’ll never find yourself wanting for something to do.
Travel
Busses run regularly from Sidmouth to many of the surrounding towns and Exeter, where you can catch the mainline train to London and the North of England. By car, Exeter and the M5 are just 12 miles away.