In 2009 Sidmouth gained a gaming shop, located where the old Dove pub used to be in the centre of town. This was much to the dismay and anger of the town council. Again, that's profit for you - aided and abetted by central government planning rules that say that local people must be encouraged to take part in local planning matters but only when their views do not conflict with what planners, bureaucrats or businessmen had in mind to do anyway. There was a certain poetic justice in seeing the town council helplessly bleating about not wanting this degrading eyesore in the town - they have a history of ignoring local people when it suits their own purposes. The gaming shop closed after a short period.

As for the 'official' tourist and hotel website, it remains a sad story of public money being spent by Sidmouth town council in duplicating hotel publicity that is already more than adequately handled by the private sector. The performance of the police must also be questioned - they have strongly supported a scheme for saturating Sidmouth with £60,000 (more recently £250,000) worth of CCTV cameras - how about a bit of old fashioned competent policing instead? As of 2009, things quietened down a bit and the CCTV idea has been delayed owing to cost. So you can still come to Sidmouth and not be watched everywhere you go - unlike in most towns in the UK. As of 2016 the idea is back on the agenda!

In the summer of 2006, owners of Vicarage Road guest houses complained bitterly about the drunken louts who "drive guests away". The topic of rowdy drunks along the Esplanade was also aired in an important study of the town undertaken by the 'Vision for Sidmouth' group. Their 2006 report is here. Curiously, few hotel guests who responded to a questionnaire mentioned antisocial behaviour as a problem at the time - in stark contrast to the views of many residents. Sidmouth and Sidford village are discussed in more detail here.

Bookmark links on this page:
Sidford Village accommodation,        Upmarket & mid range Sidmouth hotels,
B&B central Sidmouth      B&B outside of the centre,       Sidbury village,       short breaks

(For an exact location map of any hotel or B&B click on the postcode)

Google lists thousands of entries under 'Sidmouth hotels' - most are part of commercial websites and give details of only a few establishments that have paid to be included.

Details of parking in Sidmouth   and   nearby petrol stations.

Sidford Village (less than 2 miles from central Sidmouth)

Blue Ball Inn - Totally destroyed by fire 18 March 2006. Photos here. This was one of Sidford's oldest buildings. Re-opened early in 2008 and with (thus far) an excellent reputation for food. Previous description given below.

East of Sidford village on the A3052. Small parts of it date from olden times. Most is fake antique but the tourists love the thatched roof and the outdoor barbecue and eating areas. Large car park and some B&B. Tel: (01395) 514062  EMAIL    EX10 9QL

Farmhouse Cottage - A delightfully thatched B&B establishment run by a local family, on the main A3052 yet with safe parking to the rear (access via Warrens Mead). Ideal for families and the elderly wishing to walk or cycle down the Byes into Sidmouth. Tel: (01395) 577682   EX10 9RE

The Blue Ball Inn and Farmhouse Cottage, two of Sidford's many old buildings.
The Blue Ball was totally destroyed by fire on 18 March 2006. Re-opened early 2008.

Rising Sun Inn - a pub in the village centre (at the Sidford traffic signals, junction of A375 and A3052) that serves good value food, if you can tolerate the hanging baskets. It is a village pub much used by locals. Pay and display car park adjacent to the Spar shop. Tel: (01395) 513722   EX10 9PF

'Upmarket' and mid-range hotels in Sidmouth. Many are on or near the seafront. Unless they state otherwise, assume there is no private parking. Many rooms in hotels along the Esplanade will have good sea views but may suffer from the volume of traffic along this road.

Details are provided without recommendation. They are believed to be correct but you are advised to check before booking. Please mention the SeeRed website.

(For an exact location map of any hotel or B&B click on the postcode)

Bedford Hotel - mid-range, reasonable/good food, on the seafront and near to a large privately owned car park (daily rates apply). Very popular venue in Folk Week. Some single rooms. Will do B&B. (01395) 513047.    EX10 8NR

Belmont Hotel - upmarket: arguably one of the finest hotels in Sidmouth. Set back from the Esplanade with superb views. Allied to the Victoria Hotel. Short walk to seafront. (01395) 512555 EMAIL   EX10 8RX.

Devoran Hotel - similar to Kingswood hotel - and equally keen on Britain in Bloom. Subject to noise from traffic along the Esplanade.  Allied to the Royal Glen Hotel. (01395) 513151 EMAIL  EX10 8AU

Dukes - mid-range, having had several owners over the last few years this is now under the management of an experienced family. On the Esplanade but close to the market square and a night-club, it may be noisy at night. (01395) 513320 EMAIL   EX10 8AR

Hotel Elizabeth - mid-range, next door to Dukes and along the Esplanade but less subject to noise. Dedicated to Britain in Bloom (01395) 513503 EMAIL   EX10 8AT

Glendevon Hotel - mid-range, quiet area, a short walk to the seafront, small, no pets (01395) 514028 EMAIL or EMAIL  EX10 8QX

Hunters Moon Hotel - mid-range, a moderate easy walk from the seafront, quiet area and set in its own grounds.  (01395) 513380 EMAIL   EX10 9AA

Kingswood Hotel - mid-range, on the Esplanade and so subject to some traffic noise, keen on Britain in Bloom some parking spaces (01395) 516367 EMAIL   EX10 8AX

Mount Pleasant Hotel, Hillside Road/Salcombe Road. Mid-range, short walk into town, quiet area, bar, ample private parking (01395) 514694.   EX10 8JA

Riviera Hotel - upmarket, 'exclusive' and expensive but next to a 'drinking den' on the Esplanade popular with youngsters. Delightful terrace at the front - but can be noisy because of traffic along the Esplanade. Recently awarded the English Tourism Council's Gold Award. (01395) 515201 EMAIL   EX10 8AY

Royal Glen Hotel Glen Road, mid-range, Grade I listed, quiet, short walk to seafront, heated indoor pool, parking  (01395) 513221EMAIL or EMAIL   EX10 8RW

Royal York and Faulkner - large, mid-range, along the Esplanade but away from most of the noise of the market square.  Unrestricted on-road parking but little chance of finding a space. (01395) 513043 EMAIL   EX10 8AZ

Sidholme Hotel -  Elysian Fields, Vicarage Road, easy walk to seafront, a Christian hotel popular with organised groups, large music room, ample parking (01395) 513633  EMAIL    EX10 8UJ The centre of some debate in 2006 because it cancelled a block booking from 'folk festival' attendees. Yet in 2019 it became a folk week venue for dancing.

Victoria Hotel - upmarket and arguably Sidmouth's 'grandest' hotel, the food is reputedly excellent. Steep (healthy!) walk from seafront. (01395) 512651 EMAIL  EX10 8RY

Westcliff Hotel   Manor Road, upmarket, large grounds, ample car parking. (01395) 513252 EMAIL   EX10 8RU

Willow Bridge Hotel, Millford Road.  Reputedly good value, mid-range, quiet, parking, easy walk to seafront, overlooking river. (01395) 513599 EMAIL  EX10 8DR

(For an exact location map of any hotel or B&B click on the postcode)

Barn and Pinn Cottage, on main A3052 at The Bowd, (01395) 513613 EMAIL  EX10 0ND

Burscombe Farm Sidbury. Farmhouse B&B or self catering cottage. (01395) 597648   EX10 0QB

Coombe Bank, Alexandria Road, parking (01395) 514843 EMAIL  EX10 9HG

Higher Weston Farm at Weston. Farmhouse B&B. Parking, ideal for walkers.  (01395) 513741 EX10 0PH

Jasmine Cottage at Weston. Parking, ideal for walkers. (01395) 512238 EX10 0PH

Kyneton Lodge, Alexandria Road (01395) 513213 EMAIL or EMAIL   EX10 9HG

Larkstone House, Connaught Road, parking (01395) 514345 EX10 8TT

Newland House, Temple St, (welcome younger people with children and with an extensive fire alarm system and other precautions that apparently cost £10,000!) (01395) 514155  EX10 9BA

Ryton, Winslade Road, parking (01395) 513981EMAIL  EX10 9EX

Saltwynds Farm, Saltways Lane, horses, pets OK. Camping. (01395) 579441 EX10 0NP

Sidling Field, 105 Peaslands Road, parking (01395) 513859   EX10 8XE  EMAIL

Southcroft, Arcot Road. no pets (01395) 516903 EX10 9ES   EMAIL

(For an exact location map of any hotel or B&B click on the postcode)

Sidbury is a picturesque Saxon village about a mile to the north of Sidford. Its main street has some zealous devotees of Britain in Bloom but many of the residents are quite normal. It is a good base for countryside walking. The main A375 road through the village is dangerous for cyclists and walkers alike. There are a number of good B&B establishments.

Castle Hill House - a splendid old building with extensive views. (01395) 597451. Email link via their website. EX10 0QD

Old Orchard Cottage. Two rooms only in a thatched cottage. (01395) 597645. EMAIL

Rose Cottage  no pets, no children. Wonderful views. (01395) 597357. EMAIL   EX10 0RH

Bulverton House Short Breaks, Bulverton House, Bulverton Road Sidmouth. Turn off the A3052 at the Bowd junction onto the A3176, see map. Self catering accommodation throughout the year (01395) 578552.  EMAIL  EX10 9DW

For folk week camping and motorhome options click here.

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