St Giles Cottage is on a quiet lane, with a little river running beside.
There is plenty of light in this lovely room. The bay window looks out towards the little bridge over the river ( there are privacy net curtains for those who wish )
The cottage has a very spacious living/dining room with a huge fireplace and woodburning stove.
This is the master bedroom. There is a lovely view over the river to the nature reserve on the other side, and up the hill ito the heart of the historic village
The cottage has a pretty garden where you can sit and listen to the river just across the little lane.
Looking down the garden in the other direction.
Sidmouth is a stone's throw from Sidbury - a fabulous Regency Town with long promenade, dramatic cliffs, pebbled beaches - sand at low tide - and lovely shops to browse in.
The window seat is another lovely feature in this welcoming cottage
The kitchen is the first room that you enter - though there is a second door -with a very useful porch - into the living room
Another view of the comfortable master bedroom.
This is the en-suite shower room for the master bedroom,
This is the second double bedroom. This room has views over the fields.
The single bedroom looks out to the back of the cottage, over its garden. There are four steps up to this room.
The family bathroom has a bath and a fitted shower.
The quirky layout of this characterful cottage adds to its charm.
Another view of St Giles cottage on a quiet lane set back from the village, with a little river beside.
This image is taken from the nature reserve across the lane. A lovely peaceful place to walk, sit, and relax. The cottage is the left hand property
The car parking-area is at the end of the garden but there is roadside parking to the front of the cottage if you prefer.
This lane leads over the bridge and into the village. If you take the track to the left over the bridge it leads to a wonderful nature reserve.
There are plenty of local footpaths to explore. For the energetic, Sidmouth is only three miles away!
This is Sidbury - taken from the top of the lane that runs past the cottage.
Another view of the reserve across the road, looking back towards the row of cottages. The white cottage in view is the neighbour to St Giles (which is behind the trees).
Facing east along the stunning Jurassic Coast towards Dorset, taken from the end of the promenade at Sidmouth.
This is the western end of Sidmouth - with the famous Jacobs Ladder set of steps to the beach. There is a great cafe at the top.
This is just what a holiday here is all about.
There is a wonderful route between Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton - well worth exploring for the fabulous views. This is Sidmouth.
The rolling green lanscape of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The east Devon Jurassic coastline is stunning. This is the fishing village of Beer - like stepping back in time with the fishing boats pulled up on the beach.
St Giles Cottage
30032.7 miles N of Sidmouth | Sleeps 4 + cot*
7 Nights from £482
The location of attractions is intended only as a guide. Distances are 'as the crow flies'.
Nearby pub
Situated in the heart of the village, this traditional pub offers home cooked food on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. There's a courtyard beer garden for warmer months and a warming log fire in the main bar.
Nearby beach
This is a wide sandy and shingle beach with good access and parking nearby. Jacobs Ladder leads down to the beach from Connaught Gardens, a lovely place to take in the view. A great family beach, you'll find lots of facilities and cafes nearby. Dogs are allowed year round at the easterly end of the beach.
Nearby walk
Start at Newton Poppleford Church, between Exeter and Sidmouth, for quiet countryside and good views across the Otter Valley. A circular route of 6.25 miles starts towards the west of the village before linking with the East Devon Way and crossing the River Otter.
Nearby town
Sidmouth has all the classic appeal of a traditional English seaside resort, with wonderful Regency architecture and a genteel atmosphere. Tourism has been kind to the town, leaving its character intact. At the beginning of August the town rocks to the rhythm of the Sidmouth Folk Festival, a week of music, singing, dancing and storytelling.
April 2009
Sidmouth Folk Festival
For most of the year Sidmouth is a sleepy little seaside town, with a pebbly beach, great coast walks and really good ice-cream. But for the first week of August it turns into a fantastic festival with traditional folk sounds from all over the world, dancers, singers, musicians, ceilidhs til the early hours. It's really family friendly, with lots of craft activities for kids.
-D Brazendale
Also nearby
The focus here is on the animals, so there are no rides or play parks, just rescued donkeys to see and stroke. The Donkey Sanctuary is dog-friendly and admission is free.
April 2026
Free entry
As the Donkey Sanctuary was free we did not expect there to be much to do so we’re surprised at what was there. Of course the highlight were the lovely donkeys with lovely walks to pastures. A very informative talk. Lots of things for children to do including a trail at the time of year we visited, a maze and lots of interactive information. The cafe/restaurant is large with a lovely view of donkeys. Plenty of walks from the sanctuary, we took the path to Weston beach, very hilly but well worth the walk. And also, of course, the gift shop which had some reasonably priced pocket money items for the children. A great day out.
November 2024
Fun for all ages
Lovely day out, young and old thoroughly entertained and well worth a visit
October 2019
Liz Riley
Loved this place! So well-kept and loads of gorgeous donkeys to stroke. Good cafe too.
July 2016
Dinky Donks
Lovely to visit, and as it's free you can spend as little or as long as you like. Not just donkeys, there are some walks / trails to follow and a good cafe.
April 2012
A great family day out, free entry, free parking, all facilities on site are good - from eating to toilets, beautiful grounds. Only downside is reliant on reasonable weather as mostly outdoors.
June 2009
A wonderful day out for all the family - go on a fine day as you can walk a long way. A great bonus is that it is FREE to visit and there is no pressure on visitors to pay anything - but you will want to help this super charity.
February 2009
The donkey sanctuary is a brilliant day out for families. We have been here on numerous occasions and it is a joy to see the smiles on the childrens faces as they interact with the donkeys. We are always made to feel very welcome and the staff are very well informed.
January 2009
One of the largest in the world. Great for children and adults will enjoy it too.
- J M Wynne
Excellent food and great pub atmosphere with plenty of outside seating for balmy summer evenings and a roaring open fire for cooler weather. Dogs are welcome.
August 2025
Great Sunday lunch
Lovely pub and recommended, food was great.
October 2023
Excellent food
A great country pub with such friendly staff and excellent food
October 2016
You have to visit here !
The Masons Arms, from the outside it looks stunning, charming thatch, honey stone, you expect so much from this first impression, well we were not disappointed, inside the atmosphere is spot on, and the food, local beers and especially the service from the ever attentive staff was brilliant. Welcomes dogs too, a truly British pub experience.
Glad we are not locals, we'd be in here every day !
August 2011
Great crab ploughman's!
Get there early at lunch time for a table outside in the summer. The famous crab ploughman's makes a wonderful lunch - washed down with the local Branscombe Bitter. For me the beer of the week!
March 2009
Chocclate box pub in a chocolate box village
The Mason Arms is a very popular pub in the heart of Branscombe village. It has lots of nooks and crannies and plenty of eating space, although it can get extremely busy in the summer months and at bank holidays - make sure you book ahead for a table. The food is fresh, great quality and very well cooked - a surefire winner!
Scenic tram rides between Seaton and Coylford following the old railway beside the Axe estuary. The route goes through two nature reserves, giving you great views of the birdlife.
April 2026
Seaton Tramway
Great fun, especially sitting on the top deck, remember to wrap up on a chilly day
October 2025
Really enjoyable ride
My dog and I had a very enjoyable out and back trip through the lovely scenery.
June 2025
Trip to Seaton
Took the tram from from colyton to Seaton. Great attraction that everyone should try when visiting the area
April 2022
Great fun for the whole family
Great fun for the whole family. Make sure you wrap up warm if your sitting on the top deck. Some new stops due to open summer 2022 that look great for bird watching and picnics
September 2012
Seaton Tramway
A great trip for the family, our 4 year old son loved it. If you get there early, it is possible to have unlimited trips for the day for only £1 extra. It takes 25mins each way from Seaton to Colyton. It is probably worthwhile factoring in some time to walk around both Seaton and Colyton.
January 2012
Seaton Tramway
It was great fun. Do take it from Colyton to Seaton - and back - the parking is free at that end. Allow at least a couple of hours at Seaton - even more if the weather is really good.
January 2010
Scenic tram rides
Short but sweet - especially when you stop for refeshment at the flower bedecked platform at the Colyton end of the line. A good opportunity to birdwatch. Open air upper deck good fun for the kids - they don't feel the cold!
A truly beautiful 10 acre garden with unusual plants and stunning views. You will also find a tearoom, gift shop and nursery here.
April 2026
Glorious
What a wonderful experience at Burrow Farm Gardens. We went on a sunny spring day and it was just like walking through beautiful woods and countryside, rather than a formal garden.
We also took advantage of the tea room and bought a couple of things from the nursery
April 2026
A world of peace and tranquility.
We visited Burrow Farm after picking up a leaflet at Musbury Chapel. What a wonderful day we had. Beautiful natural gardens with spectacular Devon views. Acers were stunning and every part of the garden was beautifully designed to enhance the views. A reasonable entry price and well worth the visit. A real haven of peace.
October 2025
Burrow Farm Gardens
We visited in middle of October so enjoyed the autumn foliage, also the peace. Many benches for sitting and reflecting on the foresight of the owner to start this garden in 1959. She is still gardening now! Also excellent cafe.
August 2022
A lovely walk.
This is a lovely place to visit whether you choose to pay and walk around the grounds, as we have done, or just have something to eat and browse the garden centre. The food is excellent and walks peaceful. We have never been without coming away with some plants for our garden.
June 2022
Burrow Farm Gardens
An unusual family designed garden in a stunning setting. The tea room served excellent food and was good value. Nursery had a good selection of well tended plants.
Staff were friendly and helpful making it a perfect place to visit
October 2020
Lovely garden
Pretty garden for an afternoon meander. Good tearoom and plant nursery.
August 2012
A gardeners paradise
A 10 acre garden which has been lovingly created by the family of an ex-dairy farmer. The garden has lots of interest, including the Millenium garden styled around a beautiful trickling stream and a large woodland garden including some of the biggest giant rhubarb we've ever seen. There is a great little tea room serving hard earned tea and cake after you've explored the gardens. There is a nursery selling plants reared at the gardens and other garden essentials. Everything we've bought from them has thrived, so they clearly take great care in what they produce. There is a large landscaping business run by their son attached to the gardens, with further stocks of shrubs and trees to explore.
In a lovely setting overlooking Sidmouth and the bay, these gardens offer a fine range of plants which thrive in the temperate climate. A leafet with a guided walk is available from the attached Web site. The Clock Tower Cafe serves light refreshments throughout the day.
August 2023
Amazing views and restful
Lovely gardens with some unusual plants, we have visited several times and always go here when in the area. Gardens are very well designed and kept in great condition.❤️
The café has lovely range of food to suit everyone. Plenty of places to sit within the garden. Just love the place, so very restful. Recommend to friends and family
September 2016
Simply delightful throughout the year these gardens are divided into 'rooms' each planted to perfection. The vista could not be bettered with the sea appearing far below and between the creative planting out to the horizon providing the perfect backdrop. A superb little cafe sells everything delicious to encourage you to sit down and savour the delightful planting around you. Jacob's ladder tempts you down to the waters edge with it's pebbled and sandy beach but for those of us less agile the gardens can be accessed almost on the level from Manor car park. Most weekends throughout the summer a band will be playing and occasionally outdoor theatre performed. These lovely gardens are really worth a visit
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