If you’re visiting Sidmouth, either as a day trip of you’re staying over, why not explore some of the beautiful parks and gardens that can be found in East Devon? Sidmouth is a great base for exploring the wider region and with direct access to the South West Coast Path and the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty it’s perfect for anyone who likes being out in nature.
As well as the abundance of beautiful countryside, there are also a number of lovely parks and gardens around Sidmouth for you to enjoy and we’ve selected a few to inspire you when creating your itineraries for your trip to the town.
Firstly, we can’t not mention Connaught Gardens which can be found in Sidmouth Town. Connaught Gardens are at the western end of the Esplanade, part way up Peak Hill and are named after the Duke of Connaught, son of Queen Victoria, who opened the gardens. Once you get to the gardens, you can find the bandstand, which during the summer months plays hosts to Sidmouth Town Band, the Topiary Gardens, the Clock Tower Café and the famous Jacob’s Ladder which leads down to the beach.
Image: Connaught Gardens / @an_individuals_focus on Instagram
Another garden in the heart of the town is Blackmore Gardens. These once formed the gardens of Blackmore House which is no longer standing, it was made into a public park in the 1950s after ownership passed to the District Council. Much like Connaught Gardens, Blackmore Gardens have many beautiful flower beds and large grassy areas as well as a green house full of exotic plants and the remains of the original historical garden.
Image: Blackmore Garden / @fiona_mai_on Instagram
Alternatively, spend a few hours enjoying Knowle Gardens, the former gardens of Orne Cottage. These days the house is where you’ll find the town’s council offices, but the gardens themselves are recognised as a public park. For a quieter park, visit The Glen Coyle, this secluded area can be found along Manor Road and stretches from the historical Royal Glen Hotel to the top of Cotmaton Road. It’s a beautiful park, but being a little off the beaten track, it’s ideal for those of you wanting somewhere tranquil to spend your day.
For a larger area of parkland, head towards the outskirts of town and explore The Byes and Margaret’s Meadow. The Byes runs from Sidmouth to Sidford, alongside the River Sid and the meadow sits within it, giving you plenty of opportunities to enjoy the various walking trails or just explore the parkland itself. The area also makes up part of Sidmouth’s Arboretum, so there are lots of interesting trees to look at, including an English Oak.
Image: The Byes / @mike.williams.uk on Instagram
If you want a parkland where you can do a bit of nature spotting, head to the local nature reserve, The Knapp Copse. There are entrances to the nature reserve at both Peaselands and Alexandria Roads and the site has a host of marked trails for you to explore. You’ll also find a pond which is home to newts and some incredible views across the Sid Valley on a clear day.
Image: Knapp Copse Nature Reserve / @guy.sweetman on Instagram
If you like the sound of being outside make sure to take a look at the walking routes and the cycling trails that can be found around Sidmouth too.