Short answer: The Anchor Inn and Milsons Point are both dog friendly, and the Clock Tower café in Connaught Gardens allows dogs downstairs. Jacob's Ladder beach is popular with dog walkers. Weston Beach, east of town, is a long walk down and almost always empty.
Sidmouth's main beach and Jacob's Ladder both see plenty of dog walkers — one reviewer describes their dog having a wonderful time on Jacob's Ladder playing with other dogs and dipping in the rock pools. Check the seasonal signage on arrival, as with any Devon beach in summer.
The pebbles are the practical issue rather than the rules. Sidmouth's shingle is large and smooth, which is fine for dogs and awkward for people — the paved promenade behind runs most of the length and is the easier walking.
Weston Beach, east of town, is half a mile of beach reached by a twenty to thirty minute walk down from the clifftop, steep in places. It is genuinely deserted when everywhere else is packed — one visitor described arriving on a bank holiday to find it near empty. No facilities, and a naturist section to the right, so go informed.
The Anchor Inn in the middle of town is the best pub in Sidmouth and is dog friendly, with a beer garden that stays cooler than the seafront on hot days and plenty of seating in both sun and shade. The fish pie and fishcakes are what to order.
Milsons Point on the High Street is dog friendly and does the best breakfast and brunch in town, plus a well-priced cream tea — reviewers mention their dog being given the leftover clotted cream, which tells you the attitude. Book at weekends.
The Clock Tower inside Connaught Gardens allows dogs downstairs and has sea views from the tables plus garden seating outside in good weather. The gardens themselves are free to walk around and are the best place in Sidmouth to sit with a view. Closed Tuesdays.
The red cliffs here are actively unstable with repeated rock falls. Keep dogs away from the cliff base where sections are fenced off.
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