VIEW FROM THE BEACH AT SIDMOUTH,
LOOKING TOWARDS THE SOUTH-WEST.
In this view, from a painting by J. D. Harding, the characteristic features of the coast of Devon are most happily expressed; and the manner in which the subject is treated at once displays the feeling of the artist to appreciate, and his ability to depict, the most beautiful scenery of the English coast. The simplicity of truth is not here outraged for the sake of pictorial effect, but the whole composition is at the same time appropriate, natural, and pleasing.
Sidmouth is situated on the southern coast of Devonshire, about 15 miles south-east of Exeter, and 158 south-west of London. It derives its name from the little stream called the Sid, which there discharges itself into the sea. The town is situated at the end of a beautiful vale, and is sheltered on the east, west, and north by ranges of hills, which are cultivated to their very summits. It occupies the margin of a small bay, bounded on the east by Salcombe Hill, and on the west by Peak Hill, each more than 600 feet above the level of the sea at low water. The undulating and richly-cultivated vale through which the Sid meanders is screened towards the north by the Gittisham and Honiton Hills. On the south it commands an extensive view of the sea. It has a bold and open shore, and many of its newest houses are built near the beach, which is protected from the encroachments of the sea by a natural rampart of shingly pebbles, that rises in four or five successive stages from near low-water mark, and terminates in a broad and commodious promenade about one-third of a mile in length. Sidmouth has two suburbs, respectively called the Western Town and the Marsh. It has a weekly market on Saturday, and two annual fairs—the one on Easter Tuesday, the other on the Wednesday after September 1. The church is dedicated to St. Nicholas. Its revenues were granted, in 1205, by Bishop Marshall, to the monastery of St. Michael, in Normandy, to which the priory of Otterton was a cell, but afterwards reduced with those of the other alien priories. The beauty of its situation, the mildness and salubrity of the air, and the conveniences afforded for sea-bathing, have caused Sidmouth to be much frequented within the last forty years as a watering-place; and there are now many private residences of the nobility and gentry erected in its immediate vicinity, the proprietors of which, attracted by the beauty of the scenery, and the mild, sheltered character of the situation, reside there during the greater part of the year; thus giving a superiority to the society, which the visitor cannot always find in sea-bathing towns of a much larger population.
Sidmouth is a place of great antiquity; and in 1348 it supplied three ships and sixty-two mariners to the great fleet of Edward III. It has been said that there was formerly a good harbour at Sidmouth, but that it became so choked up with sand, that no ships could enter. This account, however, is considered by the Rev. Edmund Butcher to be inaccurate. He says that no sand has destroyed its harbour; and he is of opinion that there never was one of any magnitude at the place. He, however, thinks that there might have been a kind of natural basin, in which the small vessels of former times might have rode, or even discharged their cargoes, with less risk than is at present incurred by vessels which unload on the beach.
CAVES AT LADRAM BAY.
Ladram Bay is on the southern coast of Devonshire, and lies between Sidmouth and the mouth of the river Otter. It is of small extent, and is neither noticed by any of the historians of the country, nor described in any guide-book. The Lade rock forms its eastern extremity; and to the westward it is bounded by a similar promontory, near to which are the caves represented in the engraving. The bay is only accessible to pedestrians proceeding from Sidmouth at low water through a cave at its eastern point; and its approach from the westward is also through a perforated rock. This small and secluded bay is extremely romantic, and the cliffs between its extreme points are lofty and nearly perpendicular. It is frequently visited in summer by picnic parties from Sidmouth, Otterton, and Budleigh Salterton; and it is said that smugglers, availing themselves of its retired situation, occasionally manage to land a cargo there, notwithstanding the vigilance of the preventive men, who have a look-out near the bay, but not a regular station. The only house in its immediate vicinity is a fisherman's cottage, near the end of the road leading to it from Otterton.