Holiday rentals and lettings in Sidmouth

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a holiday rental in Sidmouth?
• Holiday rentals in Sidmouth: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Sidmouth: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Sidmouth?

• Diverse property selection: Choose from coastal farmstays, charming cottages, Regency villas, and contemporary beach houses. You'll find everything from intimate one-bedroom retreats to spacious manor houses with grounds.
• Prime location flexibility: Enjoy options like Sidmouth town centre for beach access, the tranquil coastal outskirts, or Sidbury Village for countryside charm.
• Premium amenities: Many properties feature private pools, pet-friendly spaces, fast internet, and scenic views including sea panoramas and countryside vistas.
• Highly-rated properties: Guests leave exceptionally high reviews for Sidmouth properties, citing their great amenities, superb locations, and the personal touches from hosts.
• Coastal experiences: Access stunning East Devon charm between UNESCO Jurassic Coast red cliffs, combining seaside convenience with countryside tranquility and easy beach and rural landscape access.

Sidmouth offers diverse holiday rentals from coastal farmstays and charming cottages to elegant Regency villas and welcoming B&Bs. Look out for amenities such as:

• Private pools
• Pet-friendly spaces
• Heated outdoor pools
• Fast internet

If you can't find the perfect holiday home in Sidmouth, consider cottages in Cornwall for another side of the south-west. Sidmouth is also a great spot for camping in Devon, for those who love feeling close to nature.

What are the best areas to stay in Sidmouth?

Sidmouth town centre offers the ultimate seaside experience, with the beach, independent shops, and restaurants just steps away. For a closer look at other parts of the town, the table below details areas for specific interests:

Guests consistently praise Sidmouth holiday rentals for their idyllic meadow and sea views, elegant period features, and the peaceful, well-appointed settings that suit both coastal and countryside stays. Here are some of our top-rated properties from the past year:

1. The Old Piggery with garden and terrace - 10.0: This fabulous converted barn sleeps four, and is set in its own secluded green garden. Guests love the spectacular scenery all around it.
2. Cottage Woolbrook Reservoir with garden - 9.2+: With room for 16 people, this cottage is great for large groups. The hot tub is a particular highlight - guests highlight it as the perfect way to relax after a long day.
3. The Old Stable with fireplace and garden - 9.2+: This converted dairy sleeps four, and has gorgeous period features like exposed wooden beams and a traditional fireplace. Guests rave about the quiet, peaceful location.

Nestled on the Devon coast in England's picturesque East Devon region, Sidmouth sits between the dramatic red cliffs of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast, offering stunning seaside charm combined with countryside tranquillity and easy access to both beach and rural landscapes.

✈️What is the best way to get to Sidmouth?

Sidmouth is well connected by road, rail, and air. Here are the most common ways to get there:

• By car: The A3052 links Sidmouth to the wider Devon road network for those driving down.
• By train: Sidmouth has no railway station of its own; the nearest mainline stations are Honiton and Exeter, both roughly 30 minutes away by road, with local buses and taxis covering the final leg into town.
• By air: Exeter Airport, about 16 miles to the north-west, is the closest airport for flights from around the UK.

🍴Where to eat in Sidmouth?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, Myca's is the best rated restaurant in Sidmouth. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest traveller Sarah recommends Neil's Restaurant in Sidmouth: run by chef Neil Harding, this local favourite builds its menu around the freshest catch of the day, and is well worth booking ahead for.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Sidmouth is May, June and September, offering warmer weather with noticeably fewer visitors than peak summer.

Summer

• Best for: Beach days and the famous Sidmouth Folk Festival, held every July or August.
• Weather: Mild to warm, with generally the driest and sunniest conditions of the year.
• Atmosphere: Busy and lively, with the town's beaches at their most popular.

Winter

• Best for: Bracing coastal walks along the Jurassic Coast, a popular off-season draw.
• Weather: Relatively mild by UK standards, with shorter days.
• Atmosphere: Quiet and peaceful, with the town feeling far removed from the summer crowds.

Shoulder season (spring and autumn)

• Best for: Warmer weather with noticeably fewer visitors, particularly in May, June and September.
• Weather: Mild and changeable, with fewer extremes than summer or winter.
• Atmosphere: Relaxed and considerably quieter than the peak summer months.

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Our local Sidmore hosts recommend the annual Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival, held in late May. This five-day extravaganza is a must for music lovers.

1. Walk with the llamas at Peak Hill Llamas
2. Tour the Beer Quarry Caves
3. Enjoy art at Kennaway House
4. Visit The Donkey Sanctuary
5. Stargaze at the Norman Lockyer Observatory

1. Walk with the llamas at Peak Hill Llamas

   Take a guided hike through fields above the Sidmouth coast alongside a herd of llamas, learning about the animals as you go, with cake and drinks waiting at the end while you look out to sea.

2. Tour the Beer Quarry Caves

   These caves have been quarried for beer stone for around 2,000 years; a guided tour takes you through vaulted underground chambers supported by dramatic stone pillars.

3. Enjoy art at Kennaway House

   This 1805 mansion in the heart of Sidmouth now hosts art exhibitions, craft fairs and community events in a genuinely historic setting.

4. Visit The Donkey Sanctuary

   Just outside Sidmouth, this charity dedicated to donkey welfare offers walks, talks and the chance to meet its resident herd.

5. Stargaze at the Norman Lockyer Observatory

   Take a guided tour of this vintage observatory, enjoy the elevated views over the town, and finish with a look through its telescope at the night sky.