Sidmouth, Weymouth and Exmouth
Wednesday 4 September 2024 (5 Days)
The Dorset and East Devon Coast is England’s first natural World Heritage Site known as The Jurassic Coast.
It was Sidmouth that captivated the Poet Laureate, John Betjeman, and it will captivate you, too. Beautiful gardens and leisurely walks, Regency history and fine hotels, clean beaches and friendly shops…. it’s all here in this lovely seaside town that nestles beneath majestic red cliffs and the green hills of the glorious Sid Valley.
Bedford Hotel A fascinating history
The Bedford Hotel has a fascinating history and we pride ourselves on offering modern day comfort while preserving the hotel’s historical significance.
The meeting place for fashionable and educated Victorians
The Bedford (as it is known now), was in fact one of the first Regency houses to be built on the seafront in Sidmouth. It was originally Wallis’s Marine Library and Reading Rooms. John Wallis (d. 1818) was a London game, book, map and print maker and seller, operating from 1775, when his business was called the Map Warehouse. His Marine Library and Reading Rooms quickly became a popular meeting place for Sidmouth’s fashionable summer visitors in the early 19th century.
The Library was first opened to the Public in June 1809. It boasted a lounging place for the fashionable visitors to Sidmouth who enjoyed articles of fancy, as well as information and a place to meet and discuss the news of the day.
In 1815 HMS Bellerophon passed this way with Napoleon on board. All the hire telescopes at the Library were taken. Napoleon was transferred to HMS Northumberland at Torbay and taken to St Helena. Between 1815 and 1845 the building was enlarged, and by 1865 had become The Bedford Hotel.
We are a beautiful, friendly and family-run hotel on Sidmouth seafront. Set in a historic regency house, we offer comfortable and stylish accommodation with stunning views of Lyme Bay.
All 40 bedrooms are tastefully decorated and modernised whilst keeping their traditional feel. They are all en-suite and many offer breathtaking sea views over Lyme Bay and the Jurassic Coast. We have relaxing lounge and dining areas for you to enjoy the best local produce Devon has to offer in comfortable surroundings.
The hotel is centrally heated throughout and there is lift access to both floors.
Itinerary
DAY 1 We depart South Yorkshire on Monday morning and head south, arriving at our hotel on Sidmouth late afternoon,
DAY 2 We include a full day excursion to Weymouth calling at West Bay en route, where they filmed Broadchurch and various other films/TB series.
Weymouth Blue Flag winning Weymouth Beach is consistently recognised as one of the top ten beach destinations in Europe and it's easy to see why. So why not grab your towel, a good book and head to Weymouth.
With beautiful golden sands sprinkled with deckchairs, safe shallow waters, an action packed events programme and pretty harbourside, you certainly won’t be disappointed.
The world was introduced to the Georgian grandeur of Weymouth during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Weymouth’s fine seafront provided an impressive backdrop to the sailing events and captured the hearts of many!
DAY 3 Today we have included a full day excursion to Exmouth.
Enjoy the stunning scenery of the majestic World Heritage Jurassic Coast,
Exmouth is a lively town, situated on the east coast of Devon where the River Exe meets the sea. The town offers a diverse selection of shops, places to eat and things to do. Our beach is just the beginning... We INCLUDE a 1 hour boat trip from Exmouth up the River Exe to Topsham Quay.
With an hour-long cruise along the river, time to explore a delightful Devon town, followed with a train ride back to Exmouth – there’s something for everyone on this trip!
The boats have outdoor upper decks, with heaps of fresh sea-air to fill your lungs, and heated indoor lower decks with huge windows for excellent viewing. There is a fully licenced bar on board serving a choice of hot and cold drinks and a range of snacks – just enough to keep everyone going! The boats are exceptionally clean and well maintained and there are toilets on board. Sailing on the always calm and peaceful waters of the River Exe, this is an excellent introduction to travelling on the water. Your Captain gives insightful and entertaining commentary throughout the cruise, highlighting all the sights on this award-winning river – fingers crossed we get to see our local seal!The quaint Devon town of Topsham has a historic yet cosmopolitan atmosphere. There is a variety of cafes, a museum, boutiques, and some distinctive 17th Century Dutch style merchant town houses. On Topsham Quay itself, you will find the incredible three-storey Topsham Quay Antiques Centre, where you will be sure to find a quirky and memorable souvenir of the day!
The train ride between Exmouth and Topsham runs along the Avocet Line, one of the greatest scenic railway lines in the country. Hugging the Exe Estuary for much of its route, it has views like no other of this award-winning river and local wildlife.
DAY 4 Free day in Sidmouth or optional half-day excursion to Budleigh Salterton.
DAY 5 After breakfast we bid farewell to our hosts and make our way north, arriving back in South Yorkshire late afternoon.
Includes
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Coach from Birdwell, Rotherham, Catcliffe, Sheffield, Norton and Chesterfield
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4 Nights at Excellent Bedford Hotel in Sidmouth
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3 Course Evening Meal each Evening
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Full English Breakfast each Morning
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Excursion to West Bay and Weymouth
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Excursion to Weymouth
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1 Hour Boat Trip on River Exe
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Train Ride from Topsham back to Exmouth
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Tour Manager
Costs: £499
Single Supplement: £80
Upgrade to Side Sea-View Room: £240 per room
Upgrade to Front Sea-View Rom: £360 per room
Deposit: £75pp
Balance Due By: 26 June 2024
LJ Leisure New Coach Departure Points
Our new departure points are as follows:
Please note that we DO NOT PICK UP AT ALL of these on all tours so please check.
There is free parking at Birdwell, Meadowhall Interchange, Catcliffe, Nunnery Square Park n Ride, Hilton Doubletree , near Arnold Clark, The Lockkeeper Pub.
M1 JUNC 36 (Moor Lane, Birdwell) Please note we do not pick up her for day trips
SHEFFIELD MEADOWHALL INTERCHANGE (Stand C3)
ROTHERHAM (opp Bridge Inn, on Bridge Street)
CATCLIFFE (Orgreave Road, outside gates to playing to playing field)
SHEFFIELD (Nunnery Square Park n Ride, near the entrance)
MEADOWHEAD (Hilton Doubletree Hotel)
CHESTERFIELD (lay-by outside Arnold Clark, off Tesco roundabout)
MCARTHUR GLEN RETAIL OUTLET, Off Junc 28 of M1 (at the bus stop)
PHOENIX PARK N RIDE, NEAR NOTTINGHAM