Sidmouth isn’t just a pretty face with a pebbled beach and pastel-painted hotels—it’s a place steeped in stories, from royal holidays to smuggling shenanigans. So grab a deckchair (or a Devon cream tea) and dive into these ten intriguing nuggets from Sidmouth’s seaside past.

1. The Queen Mother Was a Fan

Long before she became a royal household name, the Queen Mother (then Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon) spent family holidays in Sidmouth in the early 1900s. The sea air must’ve agreed with her—she returned often, and it’s said she held a soft spot for the town all her life.

2. Napoleon Was (Almost) Our Neighbour

In 1814, after Napoleon’s first exile, there was a rumour he might be sent to Sidmouth. The town had been suggested as a peaceful retreat where he could live out his days. Imagine that—our quiet seaside town as the backdrop for the final chapter of a global emperor. (Spoiler: He ended up in Elba.)

3. The Sea Has Stolen Parts of the Town

Sidmouth’s history isn’t just above sea level—it’s under it too. Erosion has taken its toll over the centuries. An entire hamlet called Sidmouth Lost—complete with homes and farmland—is believed to lie beneath the waves off the coast. The sea giveth, and the sea... takes a bit back.

4. The Victorians Gave Sidmouth Its Seaside Swagger

Sidmouth was transformed during the Regency and Victorian eras into a fashionable retreat for the well-to-do. Grand hotels, elegant esplanades, and beautiful villas popped up, turning it into the “Brighton of the West.” Afternoon promenades were practically a competitive sport.

5. Smugglers Once Roamed These Shores

Like much of the Devon coast, Sidmouth has its share of smuggler tales. Hidden coves, underground tunnels, and shadowy shipments of brandy and silk made their way past customs officers. It’s said some local pubs may have “accidentally” benefited from a few illegal deliveries...

6. The Donkey Sanctuary Has Royal Roots

Before the internationally renowned Donkey Sanctuary set up shop just outside Sidmouth, donkeys were a common sight on the beach—offering rides to children and helping fishermen haul their catch. Now, they enjoy a much quieter retirement, often visited by royalty and tourists alike.

7. The Beach Used to Look Very Different

Before the Esplanade and sea wall we know today, Sidmouth’s beach was wilder—and often inaccessible due to high tides and erosion. It wasn’t until the mid-1800s that the sea defences were built, creating the beach we stroll along today.

 8. J.M.W. Turner Painted Sidmouth

The famous landscape painter J.M.W. Turner captured Sidmouth’s dramatic cliffs and seascapes in several works. His paintings helped put Sidmouth on the artistic map—and if Turner thought it was worth painting, you know it’s got coastal credentials.

 9. Jane Austen Was Just Down the Road

While Jane Austen herself didn’t live in Sidmouth, she was known to visit the Devon coast and set part of Sense and Sensibility in the fictional seaside town of Barton, believed to be inspired by Sidmouth. Rumour has it she even once had a holiday romance here...

10. Folk Music Has Ancient Roots Here

Though the Sidmouth Folk Festival officially began in 1955, the area has a much older musical soul. Seafaring songs, ballads, and fiddle tunes were passed down through generations of Devon locals. Today, the festival keeps that rich heritage alive every August.

Walk Through the Past

Feeling inspired? Many of these tales come to life in Sidmouth’s architecture, museums, and walking trails. Whether you're tracing the footprints of queens and painters or imagining smugglers ducking behind sea-stacked cliffs, Sidmouth’s past is always just a short stroll away.