Pictures of England
 Exploring the most Picturesque & Historic parts of England..

Pictures of Sidmouth

in the county of Devon

Deckchairs on the seafront at Sidmouth, taken on 15 July 2005.

About Sidmouth

Early in the 19th-century the Duke and Duchess of Kent moved to Sidmouth with their daughter, Princess Victoria, the future Queen of England. They moved to escape their creditors but their choice of this town was caused by its obvious charm which Sidmouth has fortunately managed to retain right up to present times.

Lying in a favoured position on the mouth of the River Sid, the little fishing village that had existed here flourished and eventually became a port. These days ended when silt and shingle made the river unsuitable for navigation. Fishing boats still use the mainly shingle beach close to the river mouth but are winched ashore.

Towering pink rock faced cliffs rise majestically on either side of the winding River Sid as it makes its journey to the sea. The cliffs shelter a town that is rich in Georgian and Regency architecture. Everywhere, are reminders of the prosperity and elegance of the early 19th-century. These magnificent mansions, intricately decorated, once private homes and now mostly hotels, have fortunately lost none of their charm. Rather, the conversion has caused preservation and the town is pure delight, especially the Esplanade where balconies and stately columns adorn most of the properties.

In the cool serenity of the church of St. Nicholas and St. Giles is a window that Queen Victoria presented in 1867, in memory of her father.

A falling tide reveals a part sand and part shingle beach which in summer months is comfortable enough for sun bathing. Other holday attractions include an interesting museum and there are boat trips out to sea and round the many pretty coves and bays along the beautiful stretch of coastal waters. The south west coast path runs through Sidmouth and close by is Bicton Park, Otterton Mill and the NT property The Old Bakery. As you would expect from a coastal resort there is a wide selection of excellent inns and restaurants serving freshly caught fish and seafood.


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Sidmouth

The Donkey Sanctuary(2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction E)Pictures
Blackbury Castle(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction NE)Pictures
Fairlynch Arts Centre & Museum(5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction SW)Pictures
Farway Country Park(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction NE)Pictures
Pecorama(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction E)Pictures
A La Ronde(7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction W)Pictures
Motoring Memories(8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction E)Pictures
Powderham Castle(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction W)Pictures
Dawlish Warren(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction SW)Pictures
Loughwood Meeting House(10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction NE)Pictures
Killerton(12.0 miles, 19.2 km, direction NW)Pictures
Northernhay Gardens(12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction W)Pictures
Exeter Cathedral(12.9 miles, 20.7 km, direction W)Pictures
Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium(13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction E)Pictures
Dinosaurland(13.8 miles, 22.2 km, direction E)Pictures

All attractions in Sidmouth
All attractions in Devon
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Sidmouth

Seaton, in the county of Devon (7.6 miles, 12.3 km, direction E)
The town is mostly Victorian and Edwardian in character, you only have to cast your eyes above today's modern shop fronts to see handsome overhanging bay windows which belong firmly to another era.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Axmouth, in the county of Devon (8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction E)
This quiet resort of colourwashed cottages sitting at the edge of the River Axe was once an important south Devon port.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Broadhembury, in the county of Devon (10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction N)
Broadhembury is an idyllic village which is an oasis of calm and beauty lying at the edge of the Blackdown Hills.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Pinhoe, in the county of Devon (10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction NW)
Pinhoe now fringes the urban sprawl of Exeter, but there was a time when it was a place standing alone with its own identity.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Dalwood, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction NE)
Charming village in the Devonshire countryside with a wonderful old thatched pub serving excellent food and a fantastic church....
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Dawlish, in the county of Devon (12.2 miles, 19.6 km, direction SW)
Dawlish is an attractive holiday resort on the Devon coast, it lies between the picturesque estuaries of both the River Exe and the River Teign.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Axminster, a Historic Market Town in the county of Devon (12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction NE)
Famous for its carpets often likened to Turkish, Axminster was one of the first West Saxon settlements formed along the River Axe in Devon.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Exeter, in the county of Devon (13.1 miles, 21.1 km, direction W)
Exeter is a bustling city in the heart of the county of Devon. It's mix of modern and functional with old and cultural makes for an interesting place to live, and to visit.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Lyme Regis, in the county of Dorset (13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction E)
Almost the first thing you notice about this pleasant seaside resort, is the spaciousness of the town. The second, and nothing can prepare you for this, is the sheer scale of Lyme Bay with its splendid views towards the rugged sandstone cliffs west of Eype Mouth.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Charmouth, in the county of Dorset (15.3 miles, 24.6 km, direction E)
This pretty resort grew up in a gap of cliffs overlooking picturesque Lyme Bay. In the days prior to the motor car it was a...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Seatown, in the county of Dorset (18.6 miles, 29.9 km, direction E)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Babbacombe, in the county of Devon (18.8 miles, 30.2 km, direction SW)
With its lovely Blue Flag beaches, pleasant gardens, pedrestrianised shopping areas, and friendly ambience, Babbacombe makes an enjoyable resort for a family holiday.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Pilsdon, in the county of Dorset (19.6 miles, 31.6 km, direction E)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cockington, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (20.5 miles, 33.0 km, direction SW)
This idyllic thatched village perfectly reflects the harmony and glory of a by-gone age, for here you can walk in ancient...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

West Bay, in the county of Dorset (21.3 miles, 34.2 km, direction E)
West Bay nestles at the western end of spectacular Chesil Beach whose billions of pebbles have been a constant source of fascination for centuries.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Devon
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Feniton Station(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction N)
Whimple Station(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction NW)
Exeter Airport(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction NW)
M5 Junction 30(10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction W)
M5 Junction 29(10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction W)
Plymouth City Airport(42.3 miles, 68.1 km, direction SW)
Sidmouth to London(147.0 miles, 236.6 km, direction NE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Sidmouth

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Sidmouth center
The Victoria Hotel(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
The Belmont Hotel(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Westcliff Hotel(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
Red Lion Inn(2.6 miles, 4.2 km, direction N)
Sid Valley Country House Hotel(4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction N)
Woodbury Park Hotel(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction W)
The Heathfield Inn(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction N)
The Devoncourt Hotel(8.4 miles, 13.6 km, direction SW)
Best Western Gipsy Hill Hotel(10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction W)
Express By Holiday Inn Exeter(10.5 miles, 16.8 km, direction W)
All hotels in Sidmouth

User Login

C.S.Lewis

UK Hotel Search

*Stay in London from just £13 per night!!*

Enter destination:

(town, attraction, airport, postcode or hotel name)
Select date:
Nights:
Rooms:

Picture Tours

More