Sidmouth Beach
The attractive Victorian resort of Sidmouth lies on the coast about 15 miles from Exeter. The main beach on the town’s sea-front is largely made up of hand-sized pebbles above the shoreline.
At low tide a strip of rich red sand is exposed with some interesting rock pools. Sidmouth’s gently sloping beach is backed by a low sea wall, and there are a number of groynes leading into the sea, to minimise beach erosion. Red-hued cliffs flank both sides of the beach.
Parking is available at various locations in the town, including a paying car park at the eastern end of the beach. To the left, facing the sea, lies the river Sid. To the right an esplanade extends beyond Chit Rocks towards Jacobs Ladder Beach.
The town beach has a slipway at the eastern end which gives boats access to the sea. At the western end of the esplanade kayaks and canoes are available for hire.
There is no lifeguard, and swimmers should not swim beyond the marked buoys as there are strong currents in the offshore breakwaters.
Type of beach
Pebble
Lifeguard service
Yes
Dogs friendly beach?
Dog bins are provided. Dogs are welcome all year on a small area at the east end of the beach. Dogs are not permitted on the main beach between the 1st May and the 30th September.
Activities
- Jet-skiing
- Sailing
- Swimming/bathing
- Surfing
- Wind surfing
Facilities
- Cafe/restaurant
- Toilets
- Disabled facilities
- Shop
- Slipway
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Sidmouth Beach Reviews
Lovely beaches with no one on them
louise sowden
Sep 28th 2022I thought by coming to Sidmouth out of season my dogs would be allowed on the beach. I recognise they are allowed on one part but with large dogs this is pretty limiting. On all the beaches I counted 2 people on a very sunny September day. There were more than a dozen dogs with owners walking on the promenade. Following Covid dog ownership has increased significantly meaning more people will be prohibited from using the beach with their canine campanions. Why are dogs not allowed on the beach? Especially when it is not being used by anyone else? Unfortunately I will not be returning to Sidmouth.