Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Historic Sidmouth
The town's tourist office (
Click here
)
sells
Historic Sidmouth
(£2), a guide to the resort's
30 blue plaques. Follow it, or just investigate ones that catch your eye; the Esplanade is a
good hunting ground. At the far west end, Clifton Place is a strip of pretty, largely Georgi-
an cottages set right beside the sea; look out for the Swiss-chalet style Beacon Cottage
(1840) with its pointed black-framed windows, long verandas and crowning of thatch.
Heading east, a crenellated red-stone gateway signals the Belmont Hotel; further down
the all-cream Riviera Hotel (1820) has a grand bowed entrance, while the vast lemon-yel-
low Kingswood Hotel (c 1890s) was formerly the location of the hot and cold brine baths.
The white and black Beach House was built in 1790 and revamped in Gothic style in
1826; it was a fashionable meeting spot for the gentry.
Towards the Esplanade's east end is the Royal York & Faulkner (1810), Sidmouth's
first purpose-built hotel, with its blue and white pillars and long veranda. Notable guests
have included Edward VII when he was Prince of Wales.
HISTORIC BUILDING
Donkey Sanctuary
( 01395-578222;
www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk
; Sidmouth; 9am-dusk; )
An attraction
with a strong feel-good factor, the sanctuary is home to around 400 donkeys, some res-
cued from mistreatment or neglect, others retired from working the beaches. Walkways
pass fields full of the creatures happily grazing, trotting round and rolling in the grass. In
the main yard you can mingle freely with animals specially chosen for their fondness of
people. Signs alongside explain donkey body language (head down is resting; ears up is
interested; a swishing tail means don't come any closer), while collars bearing names and
ages allow you to know who you've just met. Because donkeys bond with each other, if
they come into the sanctuary together they're kept together for life. When one goes into
the veterinary hospital, their friends go in to keep them company.
WILDLIFE CENTRE
Norman Lockyer Observatory
( 01395-579941;
www.normanlockyer.com
; Salcombe Hill Rd; adult/child £6/3; 2-6 times a month, hrs vary;
)
Because of relatively low light pollution, high cliffs and an expanse of sea, east
Devon is prime stargazing territory. Many remote coastal spots reveal good displays, but
for truly mesmerising views spend an evening at the Norman Lockyer Observatory, where
high-powered telescopes reveal astonishing clusters of constellations. Evening openings
are timed to coincide with celestial events, perhaps Saturn at opposition, Mercury and
OBSERVATORY
