2025 marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth and though she is most often associated with Hampshire and Bath, did you know she fell in love in Sidmouth? And not just with the town. This year, why not do the same and have your own love story right here in Sidmouth?
Full of Regency romance, it’s no wonder that Sidmouth has been a popular holiday spot since the 1800s. In the early 1800s, the town had an elegant ball room, tea rooms and some popular shops, making it a fashionable place to spend the summer months. The Austens took a trip there in 1801, while living in Bath, after being invited to the region by Richard Buller, a newly wed vicar, who had been a pupil of Jane’s father, the Rev George Austen.
Jane’s father took in several boys while they were living in Hampshire at the Steventon Rectory. Buller left the Austen home for Oriel College in Oxford in 1795 and by 1799, was the vicar of Colyton, recently married and a new father. Jane, her sister Cassandra and her parents headed to East Devon in the summer of 1801, spending most of their time in Sidmouth, but also visiting Buller at his Tudor era rectory in Colyton.
Despite writing some of the best loved romances of all time, Jane Austen never married and wasn’t known to have many courtships, however historians and descendants believe that over that summer while in Sidmouth, she met the love of her life – but as we know, the course of true love never runs smooth and tragedy struck.
The name of this suitor has been lost to history, but many believe that he was a member of the clergy and was perhaps introduced to Jane by the Buller family. Over the course of two weeks, Jane and her beau spent a lot of time together, before being separated due to prearranged obligations. Jane would hear not long later that he had died suddenly, before their relationship could be solidified.
By the mid-19th century, Sidmouth was hugely popular as a seaside destination, featuring hotels, tea rooms, shops and more. The Georgian architecture that remains continues to give it a romantic air and though Jane lost her love, she never let Sidmouth leave her heart, even giving it a mention in her book Persuasion. If you want to follow in Jane’s footsteps and enjoy a little romance and inspiration this year, make sure to add Sidmouth to your destination bucket list.
Here are some of our suggestions for a romantic day out in Sidmouth.
Enjoy a cream tea with a view
Go for a stroll along the South West Coast Path
Book a luxury break
