The Wild Side of Sidmouth

Before one can understand the natural history of an area it is necessary first to be aware of the natural environment in a wider context. This means understanding the effects of the local geology and how it can influence the kind of habitats that might occur. Then a knowledge of the characteristics of each habitat type is useful as well as how animals and plants find their niche in their preferred environment.

The various significant influences at work on the natural environment create a range of different habitat types and each habitat type creates a unique ecogical structure where specific species find a suitable niche to make their home. In this theme we look at the six primary habitat types that occur within the Sidmouth area and examine the characteristics of each, the species that can be found  and the presures they face in the modern world.  

In the Spring of 2026 the East Devon Nature Recovery Plan was launched. In this section of the 'Wild Side of Sidmouth' this plan is described in some detail with particular emphasis on the Sidmouth area. As well as considering the plan as a whole this theme also explores the specific objectives and management plans for the wild places of Sidmouth by grouping those sites into five ecology networks and reviewing how a focus on larger areas containing several sites is an essential part of helping nature recover in, and around, the town.

Fifty sites of natural interest from around the Sidmouth area are featured in some detail on this website. This page has a full list of them and you can click on any site name in the index and see the information available for it.