A Visit To East Devon 1st June 2006.

A day trip to the beautifully preserved Regency seaside town of Sidmouth then a drive to the not quite so beautifully preserved town of Exmouth. Followed by a drive round to the other side of the Exe estuary to Starcross before a visit to Exeter.

Looking down the beach from Sidmouth Esplanade
Looking west along the beach at Sidmouth.

 

rock groins used to protect Sidmouth beach
A close up of one of the rock groins used to protect Sidmouth beach and esplanade from being washed away by winter storms.

 

View down into Fore Street from the esplanade.
View down into Fore Street from the esplanade.

 

The view east along Sidmouth esplanade.
The view east along Sidmouth esplanade.

 

Another view west along the esplanade.
Another view west along the esplanade.

 

The crumbling red sandstone cliffs to the east of Sidmouth.
The crumbling red sandstone cliffs to the east of Sidmouth.

 

Crab or lobster pots or both.
Crab or lobster pots or both.

 

Fishing boats winched up onto the beach.
Fishing boats winched up onto the beach.

 

A close up of one of the boats.
A close up of one of the boats.

 

The mouth of the river Sid.
The mouth of the river Sid. Sometimes the mouth is covered by the shale but the water still flows through to the sea.

 

The view from the top of Connaught Gardens.
The view from the top of Connaught Gardens. The walkway below take you round the base of the cliff to Jacobs Ladder beach.

 

part of the new underground sewage collection system
This is part of the new underground sewage collection system where I believe it is now pumped somewhere inland for treatment.

 

The footbridge across the river Sid.
The footbridge across the river Sid.

 

The statue of the the Folk Fiddler in Connaught Gardens
The statue of the the Folk Fiddler in Connaught Gardens where Sidmouth Folk Festival was originally held.

 

Some flower borders awaiting planting.
Some flower borders awaiting planting.

 

A view from Connaught Garden's cliff top path.
A view from Connaught Garden's cliff top path.

 

A walk-through greenhouse in Sidmouth's Connaught Gardens.
A walk-through greenhouse in Sidmouth's Connaught Gardens.

 

Some of the many plants on display in the greenhouse.
Some of the many plants on display in the greenhouse.

 

Flowers border
And outside.

 

Looking down on the rock groin protecting the path at the base of the cliffs.
Looking down on the rock groin protecting the path at the base of the cliffs.

 

Another view of Sidmouth from the end of the cliff top path.
Another view of Sidmouth from the end of the cliff top path.

 

A close up of part of Sidmouth and the red sandstone cliffs beyond.
A close up of part of Sidmouth and the red sandstone cliffs beyond.

 

Thatched cottages overlooking the sea.
Thatched cottages overlooking the sea.

 

Jacobs Ladder Beach viewed from the top of Connaught Gardens.
Jacobs Ladder Beach viewed from the top of Connaught Gardens.

 

A close up of the cliffs beyond.
A close up of the cliffs beyond.

 

Jacobs Ladder Beach from ground level.
Jacobs Ladder Beach from ground level.

 

The start of the under cliff path that takes you from Jacobs Ladder Beach back to Sidmouth.
The start of the under cliff path that takes you from Jacobs Ladder Beach back to Sidmouth.

 

The steep stairway up to Connaught Gardens.
The steep stairway up to Connaught Gardens.

 

Another view of the stairway.
Another view of the stairway.

 

View along the path towards Sidmouth.
View along the path towards Sidmouth.

 

Further along the path.
Further along the path.

 

Nearly back at Sidmouth.
Nearly back at Sidmouth.

 

This is where the path reaches Sidmouth.
This is where the path reaches Sidmouth.The cliff top view point is just to the left of the farthest thatched cottage above.

 

Covered shelters where if I remember correctly, Sidmouth Tourist Information centre used to be.
Covered shelters where if I remember correctly, Sidmouth Tourist Information centre used to be.

 

Up on Salcombe hill just outside Sidmouth is The Norman Lockyer Observatory.
Up on Salcombe hill just outside Sidmouth is The Norman Lockyer Observatory.

 

Another of the observatories telescope buildings.
Another of the observatories telescope buildings.

 

The dome shape on this building houses a working planetarium.
The dome shape on this building houses a working planetarium.

 

Some more telescopes in the grounds.
Some more telescopes in the grounds.

 

A drive west along the coast to Exmouth. This is what used to be Exmouth docks.
A drive west along the coast to Exmouth. This is what used to be Exmouth docks.

 

Anyone who remembers Exmouth docks would find it hard to recognize the place now.
Anyone who remembers Exmouth docks would find it hard to recognize the place now.

 

I don't think I could afford one of these places either floating or dock, sorry marina side.
I don't think I could afford one of these places either floating or dock, sorry marina side.

 

There used to be warehouses along those sides of the dock, sorry marina.
There used to be warehouses along those sides of the dock, sorry marina.

 

A view of some of the floating palaces. Oh to win the lottery, sigh.
A view of some of the floating palaces. Oh to win the lottery, sigh.

 

More marina views.
More marina views.

 

there used to be a swing bridge here.
If my memory serves me well (reminds me vaguely of the first line of a Bob Dylan song) there used to be a swing bridge here.

 

To quote the title of a Pink Floyd song, money.
To quote the title of a Pink Floyd song, money.

 

The entrance to the marina.
The entrance to the marina.

 

The view across the Exe estuary towards Cockwood.
The view across the Exe estuary towards Cockwood.

 

A boat leaving Exmouth for Starcross on the other side of the Exe estuary.
A boat leaving Exmouth for Starcross on the other side of the Exe estuary.

 

Starcross station and what was part of The Great Western Railway.
Starcross station and what was part of The Great Western Railway.

 

A view from Starcross station foot bridge up the river Exe estuary.
A view from Starcross station foot bridge up the river Exe estuary.

 

A picture of steps railings and shadows.
A picture of steps railings and shadows.

 

Buildings on Starcross pier.
Buildings on Starcross pier.

 

A wider view showing the breakwater and pier.
A wider view showing the breakwater and pier.

 

This red sandstone building was one of the pumping houses of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's ill fated Atmospheric Railway.
This red sandstone building was one of the pumping houses of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's ill fated Atmospheric Railway.

 

Looking across the Exe estuary towards Exmouth.
Looking across the Exe estuary towards Exmouth.

 

Starcross Pier.
Starcross Pier.

 

Boats moored to the pier.
Boats moored to the pier.

 

A wider view of the pumping house.The white building to the right of it used to be The Courtney Arms Hotel now sadly closed and converted into private apartments.
A wider view of the pumping house.The white building to the right of it used to be The Courtney Arms Hotel now sadly closed and converted into private apartments.

 

Another view of the pumping house.
Another view of the pumping house.

 

And another view of the pumping house
And another.

 

Years ago there used to be a little museum all about The Atmospheric Railway in this building.
Years ago there used to be a little museum all about The Atmospheric Railway in this building.

 

The west front of Exeter Cathedral.
The west front of Exeter Cathedral.

 


St Martins Church and Mols Coffee house situated in Cathedral Close Exeter.
St Martins Church and Mols Coffee house situated in Cathedral Close Exeter.

 

The ornate front of Exeter's Guildhall.
The ornate front of Exeter's Guildhall.

 

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