Sidmouth

Sourced from Wikivoyage. Text is available under the CC-by-SA 3.0 license.

AlasdairW

Ian James Cox

Sidmouth is a seaside resort town in Devon. Host to an international folk festival for one week every year, for the other 51 weeks, Sidmouth is a very pleasant but small beach-side town. The town has a long stony beach and a vibrant and surprisingly diverse town centre, with a large number of quality independent shops, cafés and restaurants.

Get in

By car

Sidmouth is bypassed by the A3052 road, which follows the coast between the A35 near Lyme Regis and junction 30 of the M5 at Exeter.

By bus

Sidmouth is well-connected by Stagecoach bus services to / from Exeter (service number 52A or 52B) and Exmouth (service 157). Most buses arrive/depart "The Triangle" 200 m from the sea front.

Get around

It's easy to walk around this compact town. Driving and parking are easy enough off-season, but in summer months can be a lot more challenging. There is a 'park and walk' service from the council offices on station road, which involves a 15 minute walk into town

See

Sidmouth's beachis mainly one of stones although there is some sand at the western end of the esplanade, near Jacob's Ladder.
Jacob's LadderClimb and enjoy good views of the town and in all directions along the coast. Don't miss the chance to sit in the pretty Connaught Gardens or grab a tea and huge slice of cake from the gardens' café.
Donkey Sanctuary

phone: +44 1395 578222

address: Slade House Farm, EX10 0NU
A charity looking after donkeys, with 500 in Sidmouth. The site has a restaurant and shop, and some muddy fields to wander around looking at the donkeys.

Do

Swimming in the sea is popular during summer heatwaves.

Events

Sidmouth Folk WeekA significant feature of Sidmouth is this week-long Folk Festival, which takes place during the first week in August every year. The event is remarkable, but free activities are becoming increasingly scarce. Nevertheless, the bustling seafront promenade, thick with musicians performing for change or simply for pleasure, is an enjoyable experience for all.

Eat

Despite its size, Sidmouth is something of a foodie town, with several delicatessens and at least one of each kind of artisan food store: bakeries, butchers, greengrocers and fishmongers.

Haymens Butchersoffers a good range of (mostly) meat-based take-away options. Good old-fashioned shop, great value (they do some great cakes for 50p!) and deserved 'Taste of the West' award winners. Highly recommended. The centre of the town has many cafes and restaurants.
Sidmouth Trawlersnot only a good fishmongers in its own right, selling locally caught fish and shellfish, it's also great for lunchtime snacks. The fresh fish baps are popular and delicious, as are the sandwiches (tuna, prawn, Lyme Bay crabmeat...), or why not try an old-fashioned seaside treat, a pot of vinegary cockles.

The town's restaurants are of generally good quality, and most inevitably have a fishy theme to their menus.

White Horse

address: Old Fore St, EX10 8LP
Fish, chips, etc. to take away or sit in and eat.

Drink

Pubs

Dukes
The Marine
The Anchor

Nightclub

Carina's

Sleep

There are a variety of large hotels lining the sea front as well as smaller B&B further into the town.

The Belmont

address: The Esplanade EX10 8RX
is extremely popular with the older generation
Sidmouth Harbour Hotel

phone: +44 1395 513252

address: The Westcliff, Manor Rd, EX10 8RU
Has beautiful view of the town and sea from the dining room and many of the bedrooms.
The Bedford

address: Esplanade, EX10 8NR
is on the seafront, very popular with locals for Sunday lunch.
Dukes Inn

address: The Esplanade, EX10 8AR
can be seen as the most lively as it also encompasses a popular restaurant/bar with young locals.
The Kingswood and Devorian

address: The Esplanade, EX10 8AX
slightly more for families
Victoria Hotel

address: The Esplanade, EX10 8RY
old fashioned grandeur
The Riveria

address: The Esplanade, EX10 8AY
old fashioned grandeur

Go next

Branscombe
Budleigh Salterton