Interesting Places

The main feature of nature interest on the seafront is the area known as the Beach Garden; it is a designated area on the shoreline specifically established for nature conservation. This initiative was set up in 2013 by volunteers from Sidmouth in Bloom and the Devon Plant Heritage Group. Its primary purpose is to protect and enhance the local beach plant community, including reintroducing specialist plants that were no longer present.Here's more about Sidmouth's Beach Garden:Location and PurposeThe Beach Garden is located by the Millennium Walkway, near the Belmont Hotel, and extends to a part of the beach where people wouldn't typically sit.It serves as a safe haven for rare and endangered species adapted to the harsh coastal conditions.It aims to enhance Sidmouth’s reputation among green tourism visitors by showcasing local nature.The concept of the Beach Garden aligns with the broader strategy of creating Biodiversity Networks, where such areas act as ""refuel...

Salcombe Hill is a prominent natural landmark situated east of Sidmouth, Devon, forming part of the Jurassic Coast—a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its geological significance and stunning coastal vistas. Salcombe Hill is located on the eastern side of the Sid Valley, to the east of Sidmouth.  Managed by the National Trust, Salcombe Hill offers a variety of walking routes that showcase the area's natural beauty. In the early 20th century, Reverend J.G. Cornish and Dr. Vaughan Cornish entered into agreements with the Sidmouth Urban District Council to preserve areas of Salcombe Hill, including South Down Farm and adjacent cliff frontages, as open spaces in perpetuity. These efforts ensured the maintenance of public rights of way along the cliffs, even in the event of erosion. The enclosure of Salcombe Hill in the 19th century was driven partly by J.G. Cornish, who held the principal interest in the common. Salcombe Hill is part of the Sidmouth to Beer Coast Site of Special ...

Riverside Wood’ is the informal name for an area of woodland located along the River Sid. Specifically, the riverside area alongside Margaret's Meadow and Gilchrist Field in The Byes is described as a notable broadleaf woodland.  Unlike most other woodland sites surveyed around Sidmouth, which are situated on higher ground, Riverside Wood falls into the lower ground location.It is a more natural woodland than the others included in the survey. It is unique among at least the twelve surveyed woodland sites in that it appears to be absent of introduced conifer plantation species. This sets it apart from many other local woods like Harpford Wood, Fire Beacon Plantation, Bulverton Hill Plantation, and Core Hill Wood, which contain significant conifer elements.As a broadleaf woodland area, particularly the part near Margaret's Meadow and Gilchrist Field, it is considered among the most interesting locally. It supports a variety of plant species including Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis...

Powys House is a distinguished Grade II listed early 19th-century stucco villa, situated on Station Road. Originally constructed as a private residence, it now serves as a retirement development comprising 58 leasehold flats, completed in 1982. The building retains notable architectural features, including recessed sash windows, Venetian shutters, and a prominent garden façade with two three-window wings connected by a central link block.The property is set within approximately five acres of communal grounds, featuring a large south-facing lawn bordered by mature trees. These gardens offer a tranquil and secluded environment, despite the property's proximity to Sidmouth town center and seafront. Residents have access to various amenities, including a spacious lounge with a veranda, a greenhouse, reading areas, guest suites, and a full-time house manager.Powys House combines historical charm with modern amenities, providing residents with a comfortable and engaging living environmen...

Peaslands Knapp is a serene 3-acre nature reserve situated in Sidmouth, Devon. It is managed by the Sid Vale Association (SVA), which acquired the reserve in 2010. Peaslands Knapp is part of The Knapp Nature Reserve, also owned and managed by the SVA.The reserve comprises a mix of woodland, scrub, and meadow, offering a diverse habitat for local flora and fauna. Notably, Peasland Knapp includes an area of uncultivated grassland. This type of grassland is considered incredibly rare in Britain today and is typically found on steep hillsides inaccessible to tractors. The grassland at Peasland Knapp has had little management and has not been fertilised. This lack of intervention has helped retain many native grasses, herbs, and flowers, which in turn supports a wide range of native insects and mammals.A distinctive feature of Peasland Knapp is the presence of many yellow meadow ant hills. These can be observed throughout the year and can be aged by estimating the amount of soil above groun...

Peak Wood is a small woodland area located on the western edge of Sidmouth, adjacent to Peak Hill. It is managed by the National Trust and is part of the broader Sidmouth countryside landscape. The woodland is situated on high ground. Its underlying geology is Upper Greensand, a formation typically found on the high ground on the valley sides. Peak Wood is described as an "open" woodland. It features a mix of regenerated scrub and broadleaf trees, interspersed with open grassland areas. There are a small number of introduced trees present. The woodland appears to have historical significance, possibly having once been part of a garden area. This is suggested by the presence of a bank and a tree-lined border to the west, separating it from adjacent pastures, which indicates that grazing animals were likely excluded in the past. Peak Wood is one of the twelve sites designated as primarily woodland in the Sidmouth Nature project survey. The survey recorded a total of 101 plant s...

Peak Hill, located just west of Sidmouth in East Devon, is a prominent feature of the Jurassic Coast and forms part of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Peak Hill is located on the western edge of Sidmouth, on the western side of the Sid Valley. Peak Hill is included within the area covered by the Sidmouth to Beer Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which is noted for its geological and stratigraphic features. Geologically, the top of Peak Hill is capped by Upper Greensand. The underlying Upper Greensand formations support habitats classified as A0 - Woodland and Scrub. The SSSI is noted for its Greensand in the western part of the site. Peak Hill boasts a diverse range of habitats, including coastal grasslands and woodlands. The grasslands are particularly vibrant in autumn, adorned with blooming heather and gorse, which attract various bird species feeding on the abundant berries. Peak Hill is known for its wildflowers, with over 50 species recorded. It also ...

Page Wood is situated on the upper western slopes of Salcombe Hill, which is located to the east of Sidmouth. It is an extensive area of woodland which lies on the Upper Greensand geological formation. It is a large, steep woodland site notable for its views and challenging terrain, with a moderate dominance of woodland plant species recorded in a recent survey. Access to Page Wood is available from the National Trust car park on Salcombe Hill. Alternatively, it can be approached via various paths from Sidmouth town, primarily by using the coastal path. The woodland is on a steep slope and can be difficult to negotiate. There are a significant number of steps along the route, making navigation challenging. Due to the steep and stepped terrain, sturdy footwear is recommended. Visitors should be prepared for a more strenuous walk compared to other local woodlands. Consequently, the woodland may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. Page Wood is one of the twelve sites designate...

Mutter's Moor (also referred to as Muttersmoor) is a significant natural area in the Sid Valley, recognised for its lowland heath habitat and diverse wildlife. It is a County Wildlife Site covering 54 hectares. Here's a detailed overview of Mutter's Moor: Location and Geology Mutter's Moor is located above the Sid Valley, on a hilltop plateau. It is described as a relatively small block of heathland compared to the core Pebblebed Heaths. Geologically, it comprises eastward-dipping Cretaceous Upper Greensand and is capped by Clay-with-flints and Chert. The soil on heathland, including Mutter's Moor, is often sandy, acidic, and has distinct layers due to leaching, forming a 'podsol'. Habitat and History Mutter's Moor supports good quality lowland dry heath. This habitat is considered rarer than rainforest in Britain, with 85% of it having been lost since 1800. Historically, this type of heathland was formed around 2000 BC through woodland clearance and liv...

Milltown Lane is described, along with Harcombe Lane, as a 'lane' lined with trees. It is explicitly stated that Milltown Lane is not woodland in the strict sense of the Phase 1 analysis system used in the woodland research. The presence of Dog's mercury (Mercurialis perennis) is considered to be an indicator of where woodland once stood, rather than an indicator of the nature of the tree-lined lane seen today. Lanes like Milltown Lane, lined with trees, indicate that many years ago they were possibly footpaths though woodland that has since been cleared. Milltown Lane runs steeply uphill from the Sid Road at Sidcliffe. Initially tarmac but soon deteriorating into a rough stoney terrain and then eventually entering the upper woodland where a steep flight of steps lead to the Lockyer Observatory. The difficulties of navigating this path for anyone with mobility issues cannot be overemphasized!  

Margaret's Meadow is an 8.8-acre nature reserve situated along the River Sid in Sidmouth, Devon. It is located within The Byes Riverside Park in Sidmouth and forms part of the scenic green corridor known as The Byes. Specifically, it lies to the north of The Byes overall and is adjacent to Gilchrist Field, also bordering the River Sid. It is described as part of Sidmouth's main green spaces.Ownership and Management: This area is owned and managed by the Sid Vale Association (SVA). It is managed by volunteers for both recreation and nature. Margaret's Meadow is listed as one of the distinct areas managed by the SVA specifically to promote wild flower diversity. The management aims for traditional practices adapted by local wildlife. The SVA encourages community involvement in the maintenance and conservation of the meadow, fostering a sense of stewardship among local residents.Landscape, Habitat, and Features: The meadow comprises rough grassland and scrub, and is primarily ...

The stretch of the river Sid from where it emerges from under the bridge in Salcombe Road, flows over the ford in Millford Road, then on to the weir by the Ham and into the sea has been called the ‘Lower Sid’ to distinguish it from the stretches further inland through the Byes.This section of the river is not the natural course that it once followed, having been straightened and the sides fortified in the late 1700s. As it is not natural and totally dominated by human intervention it can justifiable be classified as a ‘brownfield’ site.The river is relatively fast flowing through this section and so the scope for nature is somewhat limited but an island of sediment has accumulated just south of the ford and that has developed a number of plant populations. Near to the sea is the point where some bird species are likely to be encountered including mallard, herring gull, cormorant, grey wagtail and occasional dipper. "