Discover Sidmouth

When looking for a hotel in Sidmouth, you can first consider whether coastal paths, the beach or local history should shape your stay. Sidmouth offers several distinct points of reference to help you decide. The Esplanade is part of the South West Coast Path; Salcombe Hill offers views across the town and of the Jurassic Cliffs, while the beaches can be distinguished by their relationship to the River Sid and their positions relative to one another. The routes themselves also offer different options: a circular walk, a trail to Seaton and a walking path to the Salcombe Hill Toposcope. This lets you plan your trip around specific places and interests.

Coastal Path and Walking Routes

The Esplanade in Sidmouth is part of the South West Coast Path. Salcombe Hill above the town offers views across Sidmouth and of the Jurassic Cliffs. Two walking routes can be compared by length and format: the circular route from Salcombe Hill to Sidmouth is 5 miles long and heads upstream through the Riverside Park The Byes in Sidmouth. The Jurassic Coast Trail from Sidmouth to Seaton is just under 9 miles long. This makes the trail almost four miles longer; the routes also differ in format: one is a circular walk, the other a trail between Sidmouth and Seaton. For your planning, this distinction helps you see whether you are looking for a circular route or a longer walk with Seaton as your destination.

A Walking Path on Salcombe Hill

An accessible walking path on Salcombe Hill follows well-maintained gravel paths to the Salcombe Hill Toposcope. Here, the path surface and destination are the main points to consider, while the other two routes can be compared by length and course. This gives you further points of comparison when choosing a route, beyond the distances in miles.

Beaches and Local History

Sidmouth Town Beach stretches west from the mouth of the River Sid. Jacob’s Ladder Beach is a few minutes’ walk west of Sidmouth’s main beach. The two beach names can therefore be distinguished by their locations: Town Beach by the river mouth, and Jacob’s Ladder by its position west of the main beach. If you include both beaches in your plans, you can use these specific landmarks for reference.

The Blue Plaques Trail in Sidmouth tells stories about notable residents and historical events. This adds local history to the themes of the coast and walking routes: the focus is on people and events, not route length or scenery. If you would like to include the town’s past in your trip alongside the beach and walks, the trail offers a distinct theme to explore.

The Regatta Throughout the Year

Sidmouth’s annual regatta included land and sea events in 2024. A large fireworks display was part of the programme on the Saturday evening of the 2024 regatta. Individual events may vary from year to year. If the regatta is relevant to your trip, check the dates and programme for the year you plan to visit.

Discover more destinations: Hemyock, Bideford, Spreyton, Cornworthy, Woolfardisworthy, Hatherleigh, Holbeton, Staverton.

For the broader travel overview: Devon.