Sidmouth - Tell me your must visit places

[Tootired1]

Off to Sidmouth, South Devon with DH and Ds 8 and Dd 5. Never been to this area before, we usually stay in Croyde, North Devon and have so many lovely places, beaches, pubs and restaurants that we like to visit there. Just wondered if you could hit me with all of your favourite places near Sidmouth so that I can start getting a plan together. If you know of any fab restaurants or family friendly pubs with sea views (or just beautiful views) that would be really helpful too. If you know of any local beaches that are good for bodyboarding too that could be helpful. DH wants to drive up to Croyde for a day for bodyboarding so somewhere more local would be great. Looking forward to reading all of your recommendations 😊

Exmouth beach is lovely and great for water sports. There is the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary to visit.

Ooh, we’re stopping next door to the donkey sanctuary 🙂 Is Exmouth beach a sandy beach?

Exmouth has a beautiful long sandy beach and there is plenty for kids to do. Its not far at all. Jacobs Ladder in Sidmouth Beach has a good cafe.

Nice boat trips from Exmouth to Brixham and Torquay. Beer is beautiful but pebbly. Lyme Regis might be a bit further on but lovely town and sandy beach.

Not stayed in Sidmouth but visited. It’s a nice Victorian seafront. The cliffs are reddish and quite stunning. That cafe a pp mentioned is along the front up steps and has a nice view. Nice cream tea served there.

www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/things-to-do/exmouth-beach-p639763

Sidmouth beach is great, but check the tide times first if you want sand and rock pools. Lyme Regis for fossils.

Beautiful walk from Sidmouth along the coast path to Ladram Bay where you can get an ice cream or a coffee. There's a big holiday park at Ladram Bay but you can get to the sea and see the sea stacks. If you don't fancy the climb out of Sidmouth you can park at the top of the hill at Mutter's Moor.

Exmouth also has Sandy Bay caravan park which is HUGE but we have stayed there so don't know what they offer for non residents but there is a wildlife centre there too which is fab, World of Countrylife. There used to be a little train that ran along the beachfront if its still running that's quite fun.

Ah great. Got to have a cream tea when in Devon 😍 Really like the idea of a boat trip to Brixham too. We’re happy to drive to some of the beaches suggested. Any great places to get an ice-cream? Nice playgrounds? Best places to shop (if I can persuade DH and kids that is 🤞🏻) Also, I’m sure someone told me that there is Mulberry Shop not too far. Does anyone know where this might be?

Taste of Sidmouth does the best ice cream ever

Escot house is about 20 minutes from Sidmouth and has lots of fun things to do. They have Wildwood which has wolves, birds of prey, wild boar, lynx as well as play areas. They also have adventure activities including Segway, football golf, archery, quads etc - https://www.devoncountrypursuits.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuvD8rPXo6gIVlOFRCh3cgwJQEAAYASAAEgJZhDD_BwE
Can you tell I go there a lot on my maternity leave?!
Bicton gardens are beautiful and they have play parks there for children.
Beer beach is a favourite of mine but is pebbly. Often dolphins are spotted from the beach there.
Not sure if Crealy is open yet but that is another fun park to go to with little people.

The Mulberry shop is a good 60 miles away in Shepton Mallet unless you might find stockists in Exeter.

Pecorama is great for the kids, especially if they like trains. It's a 15 min drive from
Sidmouth I think

The donkey sanctuary is fab. Not sure if it’s open to visitors at the moment though.

Am soooo jealous!!! I love sidmouth - it is our happy place.

Sidmouth itself is lovely, the castle park and tea gardens on the sea front is a real treat. The red cliffs are stunning.

There is a tiny little doughnut shop just off the sea front that we go to everytime we go. We even detoured 30 miles from ilfracombe last year to get one of their waffles on a stick for dd.

Some truly stunning beaches - beer, branscombe. Exmouth us worth a visit.

The donkey santuary is the best day out ever and its free! If you are up for a longish walk and able for steep slopes/stairs there is the best beach IN THE WORLD ! Its walk D i think from the donkey santuary, its a couple of miles, steep and there are cows in the fields that often need nudging away from the gates but the beach is stunning and you'll have it to yourselves. Heaven

There really is something for everyone. Its quite quaint in comparison to the ruggedness that is north devon. I love both!

Are you staying in salcombe regis? You can walk into sidmouth from here along the cliff tops - stunningly beautiful walk, again watch out for the cattle 🐂

This is brilliant. So many lovely ideas. We’re stopping in a house that’s just next door the donkey sanctuary. I believe it has a steep walk/steps down to the beach. Living in landlocked Sutton Coldfield, just north of Birmingham, we just love to spend as much time by the coast. Can anybody recommend any lovely places to eat? Happy to drive out to places too.

Second the recommendation for Taste for ice creams, definitely the best. I think the donkey sanctuary is still closed at the moment sadly.

Harbour Hotel in Sidmouth is lovely, the decor and the terrace are just beautiful

Otterton Mill (very yummy food) for lunch then walk down the river to Budleigh and back.

Bicton Park - gorgeous park, soft play for the children and a miniature railway. Plus cream teas in the orangery.

We had an amazing afternoon tea in a raikwAy carriage at Pecorama.

Lovely restaurant in ottery st Mary, will see if I can remember name

Love Sidmouth! The museum is great if it it's raining.