Sidmouth - The Seaside Town of Many Charms

SIDMOUTH The SeasideTown of Many Charms

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Norman Lockyer observ

SIDMOUTH

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Countryside, History, Walks, Events, the Arts & all things Devon at: Devonshire magazine.co.uk

The SeasideTown of Many Charms

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Seafront & Western Beach

Jacob's Ladder Connaught Gardens

Town & Shops Norman Lockyer Observatory

SIDMOUTH

Peak Hill

Sidmouth in a nutshell Sandy beaches, scenic cliffs, moors, rivers, panoramic views, subtropical gardens, classical architecture, great shops and places to eat & drink, top notch hotels, lovely walks, a theatre, museum, art galleries, sports centre, you name it, it's here.

The most important point is that you don't just drive down to Sidmouth seafront without knowing what else this great coastal town has to offer you on your visit, if you've come from near or far.

Enjoying the views from Jacob's Ladder

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Countryside, History, Walks, Events, the Arts & all things Devon at: Devonshire magazine.co.uk

The Byes

Salcombe Hill

Esplanade

Core Hill

Sidmouth Museum

Sidmouth really does have it all!

The SeasideTown of Many Charms

SIDMOUTH

The Sidmouth Visitor Centre should be first port of call for your queries, additionally, Sidmouth's a bustling place with many events throughout the year, not least of which is Sidmouth Folk Week which is the major event that invigorates the town.

You can visit EastDevonHub website for detailed event information (over 860,000 views in 2014 - audited).

I hope you enjoy this pictorial feature on Sidmouth which will be permanently included on the Devonshire magazine website for visitors to view 24/7. If you're a visitor provider, you can link to this feature from devonshiremagazine.co.uk/ visit-sidmouth directly from your website.

Editor

Enjoying the views and a refreshing drink on the Esplanade at the Kingswood & Devoran Hotel

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Countryside, History, Walks, Events, the Arts & all things Devon at: Devonshire magazine.co.uk

The SeasideTown of Many Charms

SIDMOUTH

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Countryside, History, Walks, Events, the Arts & all things Devon at: Devonshire magazine.co.uk

Jacob's Ladder

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Countryside, History, Walks, Events, the Arts & all things Devon at: Devonshire magazine.co.uk

Clock Tower, Jacob's Ladder and Connaught Gardens with Westcliffe Hotel directly behind

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The Byes

Sidmouth's green artery If you've visited Sidmouth and don't know the Byes, then you've missed an important part of the Sidmouth landscape. The Byes is a green artery that extends from Sidford all the way down the valley to the top of the town. Essentially, it runs alongside the river Sid, and as I always say, there's nothing prettier that trees and rivers, it's a great combination, especially on those hot summer days when respite from the heat is very welcome.

There are numerous footbridges crossing the river, there's also a cycle path running the full course, several waterfalls and a weir at the lower end.

The Byes is a great place to stroll with the kids and dogs, there are many bench seats to sit and enjoy the views. Equally, cycling the length of the Byes can be highly enjoyable, although please note there are pedestrians and animals about, so speed needs to be kept down and the bell used to warn of your approach.

Wildf lower meadow

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Wildlife - efforts are being made to make the Byes wildlife friendly, there's a wildflower meadow as well as conservation areas and new copses have been planted. The river's fairly rich, you may see the kingfisher or dipper darting along the river or even some of the river Sid's fat brown trout, viewed from one of the footbridges, lazily sucking in food brought down by the current.

Countryside, History, Walks, Events, the Arts & all things Devon at: Devonshire magazine.co.uk

The SeasideTown of Many Charms

SIDMOUTH

Old toll house & gate

A river Sid brow n trout!

The weir

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Countryside, History, Walks, Events, the Arts & all things Devon at: Devonshire magazine.co.uk

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Big ears

Owh, so cute

Dog Town East Devon's canine cultural centre and meeting place Sidmouth's really cosmopolitan when it comes to our canine friends. You'll see every breed of dog imaginable at Sidmouth, it's a real meeting place for dogs and owners. You'll also be pleased to know that many coffee shops, public

houses and hotels are dog friendly, let's face it, turning away our furry friends is a sure way to turn away valuable business and miss out. If you're a dog owner, Sidmouth's a really friendly place to be.

If you're visiting Sidmouth, our top tip is to visit The Byes where you'll find great swimming, diving, running, squirrel watching, cool bitches and brilliant trees of all shapes and sizes.

Enjoy!

Jack

Spiffing

Alfie

Folk Week at the Ham

Fluffy?

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Countryside, History, Walks, Events, the Arts & all things Devon at: Devonshire magazine.co.uk

Dog Diving

Fine aqua sports at The Byes

Dog Walks When it comes to walks, you really are spoilt for choice, with coastal walks, moorland walks, woodland walks, riverside walks, it's all here.

Dogs are allowed on the Western beach in summer.

Enjoying the waterfall

Note - leads advised on cliff top walks for obvious reasons.

The SeasideTown of Many Charms

SIDMOUTH

A Folk Week dog from afar

Sad eyes - titbits maestro!

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The SeasideTown of Many Charms

SIDMOUTH

Sidmouth lies in a truly beautiful valley on the Jurassic Coast

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Countryside, History, Walks, Events, the Arts & all things Devon at: Devonshire magazine.co.uk

Sidmouth

Folk Week The BIG event that crowns the summer Sleepy Sidmouth gets a good old waking-up when Folk Week arrives. I liken it to an annual migration of exotic birds, fleeting, extremely colourful and noisy - you wouldn't want to miss this musical and performance arts extravaganza for the world.

Folk Week brings life to Sidmouth, with its myriad events at venues all over the

town, attracting people from all over the world, both as performers and also ardent folk music fans. You see them at campsites around Sidmouth, with colourful tents springing up in lush green fields. You hear them in the evening, with music played into the early hours of the morning in giant marquees. If you haven't seen it, you really should. Long may it continue!

It's enough to make you run for cover!

All good fun though

The inimitable Peter Optical

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Jolly japes in Sidmouth's Market Place

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Kennaway House

Sidmouth's Museum

The Market

Olde Fore Street

The top of Church Street

Sidmouth Town

Market Place

Sidmouth has a lovely and unspoilt town centre with an excellent range of independent shops as well as some of the major chains. Shopping is relaxing, with a good selection of eateries on hand to gather strength for more exploration!

The SeasideTown of Many Charms

Donkey Utopia

SIDMOUTH

The centre of the known world for donkeys Travelling in the countryside around Sidmouth, you can't help but notice, as you glimpse over the hedges and fences that there seems to be an awful lot of donkeys about.

It's not your imagination pl a y i n g tricks on you,

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there actually are donkeys everywhere due to the fact that the famous Donkey Sanctuary headquarters is based on the outskirts of Sidmouth, there being 5 farms locally that accommodate rescue donkeys.

O f cou rse, t he Don ke y Sanctuary, founded by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen MBE, does great work, rescuing donkeys around the world.

Don't miss making a visit to the Sanctuary while you're here.

Countryside, History, Walks, Events, the Arts & all things Devon at: Devonshire magazine.co.uk

Bowls anyone? The Old Chancel - a romantic concoction of Peter Orlando Hutchinson

Sidmouth's past

A charming, unpsoilt seaside town The late Poet Laureate John Betjeman recognised Sid mouth's cha rm a nd En g l i sh ness, f a mou sl y saying it was "caught still in timeless charm", and indeed, Sidmouth really is preserved in its own 'bubble'.

Of cou rse, du ri ng the Napoleonic Wars, when the Grand Tour was out of the question, holidaying for

the wealthy within Britain was the only option. At this time, many coastal towns had an influx of visitors and investment, Sidmouth becoming a town of holiday mansions for the wealthy.

You can still see many of these grand buildings, such as Woodlands Hotel, Hunters Moon Hotel, For t f ield Terrace, etc.

Elegant Fortfield Terrace

Looking along Salcombe Road to Radway Cinema Turning left at the end, takes you into the town centre

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In the town

Kingswood & Devoran 01395 513151 www.hotels-sidmouth.co.uk

4Homes 01395 578763 www.4homes.ltd.uk

Cards@83 01395 579618 83 High Street

Shopping in Sidmouth An eclectic mix of independent shops and friendly people

Sidmouth has a wonderful range of shops, cafĂŠs, restaurants, pubs, hotels, therapists, salons - it's all here in this buzzing little seaside town. From the top of the town through to the seafront, there are numerous places to enjoy a coffee, people watch and browse the shops. You can also stroll along the Esplanade and admire the spectacular coastal views that this town has in abundance.

The SeasideTown of Many Charms

SIDMOUTH

What's great is the friendliness that people in the town exude.

Aspara 01395 515120 www.aspara.com 43

Sambati's 01395 513507 106 High Street

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Picture Post Card 01395 578026 138 High Street

In the town

Dotty Home 01395 514724 www.dottyhome.com

Salty Monk 01395 513174 www.saltymonk.co.uk

Blinis 01395 572920 www.blinis-cafe-bar.co.uk

Above polkA's has a wide selection of clothing and accessories for your summer wardrobe.

Left: The great team at Element Creative Hair are celebrating their 6th birthday this year - congrats to all.

Below left: The lovely interior of Utopia hair salon.

Below right: Lovely interiors shop Dotty Home has everything from candle holders to cushions for your home.

polkA 01395 513255 www.polkaonlinefashion.co.uk

Emily's Chocolate 01395 579966 www.emilyschocolatesofsidmouth.co.uk What's On? eastdevonhub .co.uk

White & Son Shoes 01395 516618 Fore Street 44

Sidmouth - In town

Element Creative Hair 01395 577880 www.elementcreativehair.co.uk

Fords 01395 571000 www.fords.com

Hamilton Garage 01395 578131 www.hamiltongarage.co.uk

Anytime, part-time, full-time, local

For jobs based in and around Devon

Sidmouth Information Centre 01395 516441 www.visitsidmouth.co.uk

www.hours4work.com

The guys and gals at Sidmouth Museum Don't forget to make a visit when in town

Seabrease 01395 578917 www.seabreasehealthandbeauty.com

The Black Horse 01395 513676 30 Fore Street

Sidmouth Design 01395 577558 www.sidmouthdesign.co.uk

Sidmouth Print 01395 578623 www.sidmouthprint.co.uk

Utopia 01395 516666 20 Fore Street

Ford Simey 01395 577061 www.fordsimey.co.uk

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Countryside, History, Walks, Events, the Arts & all things Devon at: Devonshire magazine.co.uk

Massage is a necessity, not a luxury Mark & Julie Kilsbie Flo and Us, 8 Fore Street, Sidmouth EX10 8AH

TODAY I BECAME A BETTER COMMUNICATOR

Call: 01395 516053 Email: floandus@hotmail.co.uk

What's On in Sidmouth?

Coming mid June 2015 Sidmouth gets its very own EventHub

sidmouthhub

Overlooking the sea in Sidmouth, St John’s School offers day and boarding to boys and girls, age 2 - 18. Underpinned by traditional, English independent school values, St John’s is a local school that offers an international approach to learning.

We are the only school in the South West authorised to teach the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme, following through to IGCSEs, AS and A Levels.

Scholarships and Bursaries are available. For more information visit www.stjohnsdevon.co.uk or call Mrs Jo Mason on 01395 513984.

Covering Sidmouth, Sidford, Sidbury and surrounding villages, it'll give you the most detailed event information.

Organisers - if you're currently adding events into EastDevonHub - these will feed automatically into the new SidmouthHub website with no extra effort from you, also into the Sidmouth Diary event listings.

@St_Johns_School

stjohnsschool

A SMALL ENGLISH SCHOOL WITH A BIG INTERNATIONAL HEART

eventhub eastdevonhub

dartmoorhub

broadcasting your events to a massive audience and sharing data, both in paper and digital formats

southdevonhub

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middevonhub

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11/05/2015 14:15

Offers something for everyone of all ages.

• Jurassic Coast interpretation • Local history - people and places • 2015 displays include Napoleon s effect on Sidmouth, West Country Mining & WWI postcards • Young visitors area • Free guided strolls - Town: Tues & Thurs at 10.30am.

Geology: Wed 2.00pm.

Hope Cottage (next to the Parish Church) Church Street, EX10 8LY

01395 516139

sidmouth@devonmuseums.net www.devonmuseums.net/sidmouth

Open Mondays: 1-4pm Tuesdays to Saturdays: 10am-4pm

sidvaleassociation.org

See Devon at its best…

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w w w.frithsopticians.co.uk

‘Sidmouth Lagoon’ by photo competition winner Pepe Arti.

Vicarage Road Sidmouth EX10 8TY 01395 513 651

To find out more and to enter the competition, visit our website.

Countryside, History, Walks, Events, the Arts & all things Devon at: Devonshire magazine.co.uk

Boiler care & installation

Electrical

Plumbing

Self storage

Renewables

Gilbert Owen Ford & Son Fords has been trading in Sidmouth since the late 1800’s. Starting life as a traditional ironmongers we have grown to offer ‘The Complete Service’ for the home! Your One Stop Shop from Self Storage to Plumbing & Electrical, Kitchen/Bathroom Design & Installation, Trade Stores & Electrical Showroom & Heating Engineers for boiler installation & breakdowns.

Choose Fords for all your ‘Home’ needs. Your Local & Reliable Choice.

L LOC AANY P COM lished

Estab r 100 ove FreersParking yea

Kitchens

CALL NOW or visit our showroom today!

01395 571000 Alexandria Industrial Estate Sidmouth • EX10 9HA www.fords.co.uk info@fords.co.uk

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Appliances

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Bathrooms