East Cliff

Anyone who has enjoyed a stroll along Sidmouth’s pleasant seafront knows the view: the gentle curve of the bay, the shingle beach, and the iconic red cliffs. But lift your gaze eastward, beyond the mouth of the River Sid, and you’ll see the dramatic, grassy slopes that rise to meet the sky. This is East Cliff, an accessible yet untamed space that offers a completely different perspective on the town and a gateway to the wilder side of the Jurassic Coast.

East Cliff refers to the steep, grassy slopes on the eastern side of Sidmouth. Owned by the National Trust as part of the wider Salcombe Hill estate, this area is a vital green space immediately accessible from the town. The South West Coast Path runs directly through it, ascending from the Esplanade and weaving its way up the hillside in a series of switchbacks.

The primary appeal of its location is the breathtaking panorama it commands. From this wild balcony, feeling the sea breeze on your face, the sounds of the town below begin to fade, replaced by the cry of gulls. You are treated to a spectacular view over Sidmouth and its Regency architecture, stretching west along the coast towards Exmouth. It serves as a natural viewpoint, just a short, steep walk from the town centre.

The landscape of East Cliff is defined by a substantial area of grassland. This is not manicured parkland but a precious remnant of long-established coastal pasture, a rich herb mix of grasses and flowers. In an era of insect decline, these wildflowers are one of the keystones of local biodiversity. They provide essential nectar and pollen for countless flying insects, which in turn feed the birds and other creatures that call these slopes home.

Adding another layer of biodiversity, the site is bordered on its northern boundary by extensive scrub, predominantly blackthorn. This dense, thorny habitat provides crucial shelter and foraging ground for birds and other wildlife. The unique coastal environment is shaped by its underlying geology, with the cliffs consisting of New Red Sandstone topped with a capping of Greensand.

The floral display on East Cliff changes with the seasons, its progression made all the more remarkable by Sidmouth’s gentle “Goldilocks climate,” which allows for an unusually extended flowering period. In early spring, the lower slopes are dominated by the yellow-green flowers of Alexanders. As the year progresses, this gives way to a vibrant carpet of clovers and various daisy species, which thrive in the summer sun.

This community of plants is part of a wider botanical tapestry that extends across Salcombe Hill. Here, in the open clifftop habitat, swathes of gorse and bracken provide shelter for other species. In the semi-scrub boundaries, you can find the delicate pink of Red Campion, the towering spires of Foxgloves, and the architectural umbels of Wild Angelica. This species-rich grassland stands in stark contrast to modern agricultural fields, reminding us of the incredible diversity our landscapes can support when allowed to flourish.

“What a lonely place it would be to have a world without a wildflower!”

The diverse habitats of East Cliff and the surrounding Salcombe Hill area support a vibrant bird population. Birds of prey, including kestrels and peregrine falcons, can often be seen patrolling the cliffs, using the updrafts to hang motionless in the air as they hunt.

The gorse and bracken provide important cover for migrating birds, and in autumn, these areas can be alive with gatherings of meadow pipits and linnets. Later in the season, the berries produced by the blackthorn scrub and woodland edges attract large flocks of redwings and fieldfares, weary travellers arriving from their breeding grounds in northern Europe. This abundance of birdlife is a direct result of the rich plant life, a powerful illustration of how a healthy floral habitat forms the essential base of the entire food chain.

East Cliff is far more than just a scenic backdrop to the town; it is a vital, accessible, and biodiverse habitat. It is a place that offers stunning views, a unique procession of flora, and exciting wildlife encounters right on Sidmouth's doorstep, reminding us of the wildness that persists at the edges of our world.

The next time you stroll along the Esplanade, will you look up at East Cliff not just as a hillside, but as an invitation?