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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Approaching Kingswear by steam.

Kingswear in the county of Devon

Pictures of Sidmouth

a Seaside Town in the county of Devon

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.

Recommended towns & villages near Sidmouth

Seaton, Devon

Seaton (312 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Devon

(7.6 miles, 12.3 km, direction E of Sidmouth)

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...

Fishing in the river Axe at Axmouth, Devon

Axmouth (16 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon

(8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction E of Sidmouth)

This quiet resort of colourwashed cottages sitting at the edge of the River Axe was once an important south Devon port...

Broadhembury Shop and Tea-room

Broadhembury (7 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon

(10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction N of Sidmouth)

Broadhembury is an idyllic village which is an oasis of calm and beauty lying at the edge of the Blackdown Hills...

St. Michael & All Angels Church, Pinhoe near Exeter in Devon.

Pinhoe (1 Pictures) in the county of Devon

(10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction NW of Sidmouth)

Pinhoe now fringes the urban sprawl of Exeter, but there was a time when it was a place standing alone with its own identity...

Dawlish promenade and red cliffs June 2009

Dawlish (102 Pictures) a Seaside Town in the county of Devon

(12.2 miles, 19.6 km, direction SW of Sidmouth)

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...

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Nearby attractions..

Blackberry Camp. - Iron age settlement near - Beer. Devon

Blackbury Camp (18 Pictures)

(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction NE)

Blackbury Camp is an Iron Age hill fort situated in Southleigh, Devon, England. The hillfort was built during the 4th century and.....

Fairlynch Arts Centre & Museum, Budleigh Salterton, Devon

Fairlynch Arts Centre & Museum (1 Pictures)

(5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction SW)

..

Pecorama gardens

Pecorama (20 Pictures)

(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction E)

Pecorama offers a real treat for everyone visiting Beer, a pretty coastal resort which was once the haunt of Smugglers. This.....

A La Ronde in Exmouth, Devon

A La Ronde (3 Pictures)

(7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction W)

This fascinating 16 sided house is a relic from 1796. It was built for two spinster cousins Jane and Mary Parminter and was to.....

Powderham Castle Gardens July 2005

Powderham Castle (13 Pictures)

(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction W)

Built over 600 years ago, Powderham Castle is the historic home of the Earl of Devon. The Castle is still lived in by the.....

Dawlish Warren, Devon.  Looking towards Exmouth.

Dawlish Warren (12 Pictures)

(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction SW)

Often referred to as a mile long sandpit, Dawlish Warren sits at the mouth of the River Exe where river and sea become one. It.....

Loughwood Meeting House, Dalwood, Near Axminster, Devon. Owned by the National Trust

Loughwood Meeting House (13 Pictures)

(10.7 miles, 17.2 km, direction NE)

17th-century thatched Baptist meeting house, constructed approx 1653...


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