Sidmouth is as wonderful a place to stay in the winter as it is in the summer. At this time of year, the town and the beaches are quieter and you can really experience the drama of the Jurassic Coast. It’s the ideal time for a tranquil break away, especially if you don’t want to compromise between coast and countryside.

We urge you not to travel until the end of the national lockdown unless it is an emergency. Following the end of lockdown, don’t forget to make sure to check what local restrictions are in place before travelling and to stay home if you are coming from a Tier 3 region or are feeling unwell. Many accommodation providers have policies in place for anyone who needs to cancel or postpone their holiday – just speak to the individual establishments when booking so you know what to do!

Not sure about coming to Sidmouth in the winter months? Maybe these properties can convince you!

One of the big draws of staying in Sidmouth is the chance to visit one of the historical regency buildings. Many of the hotels are converted villas and manor houses, giving you a real taste of luxury and comfort in a beautiful, elegant setting.

Image: Victoria Hotel

One such hotel is the Victoria Hotel one of the Brend Hotels chain. This hotel can be found on the top of a hill overlooking the bay and surrounded by beautiful gardens. The building itself has retained many of the original Victorian features without scrimping on the modern luxuries you might expect from this hotel chain. As well as the views across the bay, which can also be seen from many of the rooms, the hotel boasts a fine dining restaurant, a spa and several leisure facilities!

The Belmont  is their sister hotel, again guests can have an uninterrupted view of the sea, plus three acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. The hotel started life as the summer residence of a well to do Victorian family and manages to have a friendly, homely atmosphere while still offering an unforgettable luxurious service. 


Image: Royal York and Faulkner Hotel 

For a base that is in the centre of everything, the Royal York and Faulkner Hotel is ideal. This magnificent regency building can be found right on the esplanade where you can enjoy glorious sea views, uninterrupted views of the beach and easy access to both the town centre and the sea front. For a really special stay, the hotel has two private suites opposite the main building allowing you more space and privacy and there is the stunning hotel spa and beauty rooms so you can really recharge those batteries before the Christmas rush.

How about staying in Queen Victoria’s former residence? In that case, look to the Royal Glen Hotel , which is surrounded by stunning scenery and provides a quiet, private base for your stay. As a baby, Queen Victoria lived on the site when it was known as Woolbrook Cottage. Her parents occupied the first floor, which is now known as the Kent Room, Culverwell Suite, Duchess Suite and Duke Room, while the young princess remained in the Royal Nursery. Years later, it was the venue for Queen Victoria’s Jubilee and also welcomed her son, King Edward VII, before becoming a hotel. Not content with being a haven for history buffs, the Royal Glen is also dog friendly and has a number of accessible rooms as well as its own leisure facilities should the weather be against you.

Hotels aren’t for everyone and if that’s the case, you’re in luck as Sidmouth has plenty of B&Bs, holiday cottages and holiday parks, perfect for families, dog friendly stays and anyone who likes the flexibility of being self catering.

Image: Oakdown Touring and Holiday Caravan Park

One option is Oakdown Touring and Holiday Caravan Park, which is ideal for anyone wanting their final caravan or glamping holiday of the year. The park has a variety of accommodation options, as well as its onsite café and even a golf course! Oakdown is perfectly placed if you can’t choose between coast and countryside. The site is just a stone’s throw from the Jurassic Coast and is within the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, ideal for anyone who loves a winter walk. There is also plenty of parking, so you don’t have to worry about where to leave your car.

Alternatively, you could stay at one of the town’s many B&Bs. Willow Bridge Bed and Breakfast occupies a central location in Sidmouth overlooking the River Sid, perfectly placing you for riverside walks around the Byes.
Of course, one of the best things about staying in a B&B is the breakfasts. At Willow Bridge, you have the choice between a Full English or a lighter option of fruit, cereal, toast and yogurt. All the food provided is locally sourced too, giving you a real taste of east Devon. The Willow Bridge run on a seasonal basis and will reopen again in February.

Another option for accommodation in Sidmouth is a holiday cottage. From the traditional to the more modern conversions, there are a whole host of holiday cottages for you to choose from.

Outside of the town in the Colyton area is Higher Wiscombe which is right in the heart of the East Devon AONB. The cottages are excellently placed for exploring the whole East Devon area with Sidmouth, Beer, Seaton and Branscombe all being nearby and each one has stunning views of their rural location.

The cottages have all been designed with sustainability in mind and the site regularly wins awards for their environmentally friendly commitments. It’s the perfect destination for anyone who wants to go away but keep their conscious clear about their carbon foorprint!

Image: Sweetcombe Holiday Cottages

For those of you who are keen to investigate the whole of East Devon, take a look at the cottages offered by  Sweetcombe Holiday Cottages They have over 170 coastal and rural properties all across the East Devon area, several of the properties are dog friendly and the team work hard to help match you with the perfect accommodation, so whether you have the ideal cottage in mind or you just have a vague idea of the location and amenities, make sure to speak to them to find the best oneyou’re your break.

Feeling inspired about a winter break in Sidmouth? You can find more accommodation options here and plenty of things to see and do here. Don’t forget to book your visits in advance as many attractions, eateries and accommodation providers will require prebooking to ensure government guidelines. If you feel ill, please do not travel and only travel if you are coming from a Tier 1 region.

If you have any suggestions for a winter break in Sidmouth, let us know on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.