I had a half day on Friday and was keen to see the sea, so Sidmouth it was. My friend and I found a free parking spot right on the sea front, and crossed the road to check out the waves.
Looking west they were roaring and churning.
and to the east, just as rough and the distant cliffs of Lyme Bay were hidden in the sea mist.
We wandered down the slipway by the breakwater. The only shelter from the wind was up close to the wall.
But there was more to see on the pebbles, I liked the black and white one and was tempted to take it home, but didn’t.
The lifeboat man 😉 stood guard opposite the RNLI station, he’s been waiting there for a very long time.
We’ll come back and check the cliffs a bit later. For now we’re having a little respite from the wind, and heading for town.
This beautiful and traditional shop, Mountstephen, has been trading since 1902, but way out of my price range.
Trumps, a grocers for two hundred years closed down in 2014. It’s very sad to see this once wonderful shop go the way of so many local food shops. They sold fabulous food, but couldn’t make it pay any longer. It’s a Grade 2 listed building, and it looks like the upstairs isn’t going to be converted into apartments.
The Square will be elbow to elbow with people in six months time, for the folk festival, but all is quiet on the last Friday in January.
The Anchor is a lovely pub, all year round and they host live music and even story telling during the festival.
We had hot chocolate and rich, buttery shortbread in a favourite seafront café, Mocha, and then tempted by a bit of blue sky, stepped across the esplanade.
I wonder if my eyes deceive me, surely no one would be kite surfing in that sea, but yes and he must be crazy!
We watched for a while and I must say I was glad to see him safely back on the beach (excuse the photo, my i phone can’t manage the distance).
The empty esplanade is waiting for summer, just as I am.
For now we’ll head into the sea mist, towards the cliffs.
At the end of the promenade the river Sid trickles into the sea, and it’s no longer safe to walk on that part of the beach, because of the frequent landslides that are eroding the sandstone.
Can you see the pieces of wood dangling down from the clifftop? It’s the remains of a fence that was previously beside the south West Coast Path, at the bottom of someone’s garden. Lots of Britain’s coastline is being reclaimed by the sea, gradually washing away. Sidmouth could look very different in a few generations from now.
I hope you enjoyed Sidmouth even if it was grey and damp, I’ll take you again in summer.
I’m joining Jo for her Monday walk – if I’m in time, but if not this week maybe in a couple of weeks time!
Lucid Gypsy 
Oh this is delightful and I could practically taste the chocolate and buttery rolls. The kite fellow is crazy and tired of being indoors 😊
You’re in time, sweetheart 🙂 Finished most of my Sunday chores and now I need to finish off my walk. Bit sunnier than yours, Gilly, but it does look a nice little place. Love that shiny wet pebbles shot and the prom with the sea mist in the distance. Full of character, English resorts, aren’t they? I guess they have to be. Thank you very much. 🙂 I enjoyed Sidmouth, however damp.
Lovely post and photos! 🙂 Enjoyed the visit to Sidmouth!
Beautiful Shots..♥♥
Thank you for the tour of Sidmouth, Gilly. I enjoyed it very much. The streets look quaint. I’d enjoy walking there. The pub would be a nice stop along the way. I liked your photos of the ocean even though it did look bleak. The photo of the rocks had a look of gemstones even though they’re river rocks. The black and white one looks like obsidian: a hard, dark, glasslike volcanic rock formed by the rapid solidification of lava without crystallization. I used it in many of my jewelry designs. The stone if undrilled has a lot of energy that stimulates.
Love … Loved … Loved … my vacation.
Issy 😎
I really enjoyed seeing this place via your post and photos. Winter is so apparent in your pics! I could totally imagine (feel) what it would be like to walk around there (except for the humidity factor). Have a great week, Gilly! 🙂
Thank you for this brisk and windy tour, Gilly. Your photos brought me closer to the read deal. Sigh. What a wonderful place to wander and take a rest with a hot drink. Love the architecture and the smell of water all around. 😀 ❤ ❤
Hello thanks for a great photographic tour of Sidmouth….it hadn’t dawned on me that there was a river Sid!!!
I have only ever driven through and not stopped but when I am next down that way I will make a purposive visit now having seen the delights you pointed out. I too am eagerly awaiting summer, I just published my coastal walk blog in Sussex and it made me feel much cheerier looking at sunny shots from my various trips down there. Do you get my blog automatically I can’t remember…if not please take a look!
I thought I did but haven’t seen you post for a while, I’ll have a catch up! Glad you liked seeing Sidders, I’d recommend festival week for photo opportunities, you’ll find some pics here. The coast path around east Devon is wonderful but a killer in places, perhaps you’ve dome some of it?
My sort of place at most times as you know Gilly but I love it in my birthday month of January!
Thank you for that stormy trip to Sidmouth. I love the brooding sea shots. We used to come Sidmouth with my aunt when she was still alive. So fond memories.
What a quaint, lovely town. And I would imagine your walk along the ocean front was blustery and energizing. You got some really great shots.
Out of season sea-side resorts have a definite charm. Lovely walk.
A great walk Gilly, so various. Of course I loved the crumbling cliff and the stones – the one that was your temptation looks very different from the others. I also liked the birds, the crazy human bird, those lovely lampposts, the streetscape and the sombre palette. I look forward to revisiting in summer – I suspect my preference might be the sparseness and drama of winter, but then I’m in the middle of a (very odd) Australian summer.
Thanks for the wonderful armchair tour, Gilly. It looks like a lovely place, winter or summer. I’m sure the kite-surfer was young enough not to mind the cold. 🙂
A lovely seaside stroll Gilly, looks very wintry – I’d be happy to join you for a mug of hot chocolate and shortbread. Love your promenade images and the wet pebbles. It must have been very blustery on the seafront!
I am also waiting for the summer sun.. lovely meander by the sea and great pictures…
You would need to wrap up very warm for that walk, but I enjoyed the virtual version sitting here sweating and looking forward to our winter!!!
Beautiful post!
I love going to Sidmouth – it is so full of memories…
I love Lyme in the winter. great pic, thank you for sharing.