Sidmouth

Regency elegance meets Red Cliff drama in this genteel south Devon resort where sea air carries hints of salt and sophistication. Sidmouth feels refreshingly unhurried compared to its busier coastal cousins - think morning coffee on The Esplanade watching fishing boats bob in the bay rather than fighting for parking spaces.

The town's peachy-pink cliffs are properly spectacular, and you'll find excellent walking whether you fancy a gentle stroll through Connaught Gardens or something more ambitious heading towards Beer Head. The Donkey Sanctuary just outside town is a proper treat - especially if you're travelling with children who need a break from all that sea air and Victorian architecture.

Inland, the landscape gets wonderfully wild. Sidbury Castle sits brooding on its hill, while walks through Widcombe Wood offer proper countryside tranquility. Path Hill and Bald Hill provide cracking views across the Sid Valley - well worth the climb on a clear day.

Getting here is straightforward enough via the A3052 from Exeter, though the final approach down into town can be a bit of a squeeze in summer. The nearest major railway station is at Honiton, about 20 minutes by car.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. Ladram Bay Holiday Park puts you right on the coast with direct beach access, while options like Oakdown or Devon Cliffs give you the best of both worlds - coastal proximity without the town centre bustle. You're ideally placed for exploring the wider East Devon coastline, from Beer's dramatic white cliffs to the fossil-hunting beaches of Lyme Regis just across the Dorset border.