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We own and maintain around 50 acres of land in Sid Vale for the benefit of the local community
We make grants to a wide range of local projects through the Community Grant Scheme
The SVA was formed in 1846 to protect the landscape and amenities of the Sid Valley
We publish books on topics of local interest, sold through our Online Shop, Sidmouth Museum and local bookstores
We run events, walks and talks and produce regular newsletters and publications
Our Volunteers look after the footpaths that cross our land
We own the volunteer run Sidmouth Museum, highly popular with tourists and townsfolk alike
Launched at the 2019 Sidmouth Walking Festival, the Sid Valley Ring route was created by Sidmouth Town Council and the Sid Vale Association using existing footpaths around the town. This well signed journey around the Sid Valley has been set up with two main ideas in mind, firstly to encourage more walking in the area and secondly to show walkers, many of whom are tourists, what a fantastic range of buildings and scenery the Sid Valley has to offer.
As part of the ring, walkers will see some 30 attractions. Our town is well known for its wonderful Esplanade, fine hotels, and attractive shopping centre full of individual shops: our perfect little valley provides a beautiful backdrop. You will visit the picturesque Devon villages of Sidbury and Salcombe Regis, passing many listed buildings along the way. Our benign climate and fertile soils produce a rich mix of natural woodland, open fields and deep Devon lanes full of wild flowers.
The full walk marked in green on the map below is 13 miles, and those up for the challenge can expect to complete the whole route in six or seven hours. Alternatively the Byes Link, a riverside route connecting Sidford to Sidmouth town centre marked in blue, allows for two shorter walks of 9 and 7 miles.
The York was Sidmouth’s first hotel, built in 1807. Edward VII stayed at the York, when he was Prince of Wales, and ‘Royal’ was added to the name. Another visitor was George Bernard Shaw: such a crowd developed that he was forced to leave via the fire escape.
Sidmouth is particularly known for a style of picturesque architecture called ‘cottage orné’. Amongst the best examples are the three fine thatched houses at the western end of The Esplanade.
A small detour from our route takes you to Sidmouth’s showpiece public gardens, overlooking Jacob’s Ladder beach. The popular Clocktower Cafe occupies a former lime kiln. The gardens are named after the Duke of Connaught, third and apparently favourite son of Queen Victoria, who was a frequent visitor to Sidmouth.
This fine Grade I listed hotel was the former residence of the Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria, and was then called ‘Woolbrook Cottage’. The Duke declined to remove his wet boots after taking a walk, developed a chill, and died there in 1820.
A traditional Devon village inn situated, as they usually are, opposite the parish church. The pub is popular with the locals and serves good home cooking and well-kept beers. There is also accommodation available.
The lovely hamlet of Harcombe (literally the ‘Valley of Hares’) has a pleasing mix of individual, often characterful, properties.
This beautiful Norman church is very much at the heart of the community, and has a lovely churchyard. One of the church bells, which are rung regularly, is believed to be 560 years old.
Very sadly, the original 14th century pub was completely destroyed by fire in 2006. But the replacement building is a very good copy, and remains a popular inn.
The Byes is one of the treasures of Sidmouth, an attractive green corridor that follows the River Sid from Sidford to the sea. It’s a wonderful mix of footpaths, open fields, and parkland, much used and appreciated by the local community.
This bridge over the Sid was completed in 1817, and named after the historic victory of two years earlier. The picturesque Toll House is from the same period, and is often described as one of England’s prettiest council houses.