Sidmouth, Devon
We like Sidmouth. What we like about it is the relaxed feel, the vibrant shops and gorgeous Regency architecture. It's very typical of the small seaside towns on the Devon coast, you know, big hotels along the sea front that you can go to for a nice afternoon tea dears, and little fish and chip shops, and there are still a lot of traditional family run shops which is nice to see these days because it's good to see a High Street that's not been blasted with commercialism. There's a certain sleepiness, a calming ambience and we like that.
The main beach is mostly pebbles, stretching right along the seafront and that's where most people go to play in the sea and soak up the rays. To the west of the town there's a smaller, quieter beach - Jacob's Ladder Beach - which is popular with familes because it's got a big expanse of sand and at low tide you can have a good spuddle about in the rockpools. It's backed by towering red sandstone cliffs, one with a set of steps that climb up it to Connaught Gardens and The Clock Tower Tea Rooms; the steps are known as Jacob's Ladder, so now you know how the beach got it's name.
Go to Sidmouth in August and it's all change for a week when the Sidmouth Folk Festival comes to town. The mood is upbeat, vibrant and colourful with lots of entertainment day and night. Expect a lot of pink hair and impromptu singsongs in the bars.
All information correct at the time of writing