When you think of Sidmouth, you might picture cream teas, Jurassic Coast strolls, and pastel-painted porches. But this seaside town has a history far more dramatic than its calm nature first suggests. Strap in, history buffs and coastal wanderers; here are five weird and wonderful facts about Sidmouth’s past that’ll make you look at those red cliffs with fresh (and slightly suspicious) eyes…

1. Smugglers were the original Sidmouth entrepreneurs

Back in the 1700s, before Sidmouth became the elegant Regency resort town we know today, it was a hotspot for smuggling. We’re talking brandy, tobacco, lace, the works. Local legend has it that entire families were in on it, passing contraband through hidden tunnels and churchyards.

2. A Royal nearly rebranded the town forever

King George III’s niece, the Duchess of Kent, brought her daughter, a young Princess Victoria, to Sidmouth in 1830 for health reasons. They stayed at Woolbrook Glen (now the Royal Glen Hotel). If Victoria hadn’t become queen just months later, Sidmouth might’ve become the royal coastal resort instead of Brighton.

3. The sea nearly swallowed the town whole

Our gorgeous red cliffs have been known to be seriously problematic. In the 19th century, erosion was so intense that entire buildings, including parts of the original Esplanade, vanished into the sea. Imagine finishing your pint at the pub and then realising it’s gone the next day. Coastal charm with a side of chaos.

4. There’s a giant dragon buried in the hills (sort of)

According to local folklore, the Sid Valley was once home to a dragon. Yes, a fire-breathing dragon. It supposedly terrorised the area until a brave knight came along and slayed it. Today, some believe the outline of the hills around Salcombe Hill resembles the dragon’s resting body.

5. Sidmouth started one of the longest-running festivals

Long before “festival chic” became a thing, Sidmouth was throwing folk music parties that brought in global talent and thousands of visitors. The Sidmouth Folk Festival dates back to 1955 and remains one of the longest-running music festivals in the UK.

Sidmouth might seem quaint on the surface, but scratch just a little and you’ll find tales of mischief, royalty, and mythical beasts. It’s living proof that even the quietest corners of England have stories worth shouting about.

Next time you’re in town, raise a toast to the smugglers, dragons, and crumbling cliffs that gave Sidmouth its quirky charm.