Connaught Gardens, Sidmouth, Devon

When you’re spending time in Sidmouth on your family holidays in Devon it’s worth a wander up to Connaught Gardens on the clifftop – you can imagine the views. The gardens were designed to incorporate the grounds of a house so they don’t resemble the usual town park in any shape or form; in fact there’s something rather enchanting about Connaught Gardens – possibly just the original walls that still stand as features, the taller ones providing welcome shelter from the prevailing sea winds.

Go and have a stroll around and you’ll see how meticulously the gardens are cared for; there are quite remarkable herbaceous borders, temperate plants the like of which you only get on the coast, a sunken garden, and several benches to sit for a while and take in the very relaxed air.

If you suddenly feel peckish or fancy a cup of tea wander over to The Clock Tower tea room, which they say is one of the best places for cake and coffee in town, so a very practical repurposing of what was once a 16th century lime kiln. Linking the gardens to the beach below is one of Sidmouth’s best known features - the flight of white painted steps known as Jacobs Ladder that clamber up the red sandstone cliff.

Throughout the year Connaught Gardens make a very atmospheric backdrop to live music and theatre events. In December, an illuminated winter wonderland is guaranteed to get you in festive mood.

All information correct at the time of writing

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