Jacob’s Ladder

Jacob's Ladder is a specific area on the coast in Sidmouth, to the west of the town, known for its beach, cliffs, and  ladder up to the Connaught Gardens on the cliff above. The cliffs to the west of Jacob's Ladder have historically seen significant erosion and landslips.The area includes a bank alongside a walled path that serves as a remnant of an old field boundary. The walkway down to the beach, particularly in summer, can host a wonderful display of wild flowers. Although giving the appearance of being natural grassland the land here has been extensively landscaped to provide paths to the beach and access to the nearby West Hill (aka Peak Hill) and so is considered to be a brownfield site.The habitat is challenging for plants due to the nature of the shingle beach and cliffs, which do not retain rainwater easily, are nutrient-poor, and have high salt concentrations. Plants adapted to salty conditions, known as halophytes, are found here. The banks and walkways provide different conditions compared to the direct cliff face or shingle. "