4. Sidmouth
Set within the popular Jurassic Coast, Sidmouth is a truly charming seaside town renowned for its breathtaking scenery, leisurely gardens and the famous Sidmouth Folk Festival, which draws in thousands of visitors each year. The town has plenty to offer in terms of shops, high-end cafes and entertainment, with band concerts and theatre performances regularly taking place all year round within the popular Connaught and Blackmore Gardens.
Blackmore Gardens
This stunning walled garden is situated in the heart of Sidmouth and boasts a number of large shrub borders with perennial planting, adding colour and interest all year round. The area is divided into two halves by a high wall and a number of trees on the lawned area. In addition there is also a small conservatory housing more exotic plants and offering a wonderful, colourful backdrop for filming opportunities.
Connaught Gardens
The stunning location of the formal Victorian style gardens high on the Cliffside, overlooking Sidmouth’s pebbled beach, Connaught Gardens offers fantastic views from a number of points.
Offering a fantastically diverse site, including a bandstand and lawn areas, the gardens can be utilised for a number of different productions.
For a number of years Connaught Gardens has held the Green Flag Award which recognises well managed parks and green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
The Byes
The Byes riverside park runs from the Toll House at Salcombe Road to Sidford with large open grassed areas and mature trees. There is a community orchard and wild flow areas. Foot paths and a dedicated cycle path runs its entire length.
Byes offers a safe and traffic free area, although it cannot be closed off, specific areas are available for use with appropriate signage and marshalling.