Real, curated ideas for Sidmouth's red cliffs, Connaught Gardens, the esplanade and places to eat — filtered by who's actually with you.
Sidmouth is the Regency one — a wide esplanade of white painted hotels under enormous red sandstone cliffs, with a town of independent shops behind it and almost no amusement arcades anywhere. It is the most genteel seaside town in Devon and entirely unapologetic about it.
The beach is shingle at the top and sand at the bottom, which makes the tide table the single most useful thing to check before you go. Much of it is under water at high tide. Time it right and you get golden sand with the cliffs behind you; time it wrong and you get pebbles and a narrow strip.
One safety point worth taking seriously: the red cliffs here are actively unstable and there have been repeated rock falls, with sections of Jacob's Ladder beach fenced off at times. Stay away from the cliff base where it is signed, and there is still plenty of beach to enjoy.
Listings last checked: September 2026
The main town beach below the esplanade — pebbles at the top, golden sand once the tide drops, with dramatic red cliffs either side. Much of it is submerged at high water, so check the tide before planning a day here. Paid car park across the road, and it fills.
The western beach below Connaught Gardens, reached by a steep slope or the Grade II-listed wooden steps. Excellent rock pools, a shallow shelf that makes it good for bathing, and the best-rated beach in Sidmouth. Sections near the cliffs get fenced off after rock falls — heed the signs.
The wild one east of town — half a mile of empty beach reached by a twenty to thirty minute walk down from the clifftop, steep in places. Genuinely deserted when everywhere else is full. No facilities, and a naturist section to the right.
The best pub in Sidmouth, in the middle of town, with a beer garden that stays cooler than the seafront on hot days. Fish pie and fishcakes are what to order, portions are generous and prices are fair. Dog friendly. Busy — book if you can.
High Street café doing the best breakfast and brunch in town — steak and eggs, thoughtful vegetarian dishes and a well-priced cream tea. Good with food intolerances and dog friendly. Book at weekends; the lunch menu is a step down from breakfast.
Esplanade café and bistro with inside and outside seating facing the sea, and a set two-course lunch that is good value for the position. Particularly strong on gluten-free. Service comes out to you if you sit outside.
Seafood restaurant with one of the best outlooks in Sidmouth and a well-priced Sunday lunch. Scallops and the chocolate tart get named repeatedly. Service can be slow and uneven, so it suits an unhurried evening rather than a quick meal.