The Courtyard - sleeps 4

By seeking your ideal self catering holiday cottage in Sidmouth for your holiday or just an short break escape, you have arguably chosen the jewel in East Devon's crown. Sidmouth is a fine, unspoilt Regency coastal resort, with many splendid period buildings, combined with a peaceful and tranquil air.

Nestled beneath the majestic red cliffs and the fertile hills of the Sid Valley, Regency Sidmouth boasts over 500 listed buildings dispersed along meandering streets. An award-winning floral town, Sidmouth has its own, highly respected theatre, a cinema, and a bustling esplanade and hosts a number of open-air summer concerts.

The heart of the town is busy and attractive and it is well worth browsing amongst the range of quality shops and listed buildings. The esplanade overlooks a pebble beach and tranquil seaside activities. To the western end a jutting sandstone promontory, surmounted by Jacob's Ladder and the impressive floral display of Connaught Garrdens, separates the Esplanade from the mile log beach of sea-washed sand at Western Beach.

With sports facilities - including a indoor swimming pool, sailing, windsurfing, tennis, bowls, croquet, cricket and golf - in the quiet serenity of the town's well maintained parks and gardens, Sidmouth offers a variety of interests to all visitor - young and old.

August sees the charming Sidmouth Folk Week in full swing with local bands and amateur performers taking over hotel lounges, pubs and pavements. Participation is welcomed - in fact it is actively encouraged!

The resort was very fashionable in the 1800s ad was visited by Queen Victoria in her youth as well as the Grand Duchess of Russia in 1831. Today it is a sheltered suntrap, ideal for visitors of all ages, with great shopping, beautiful beaches and a charm of its own.

By choosing Sidmouth, you're on the doorstep of Britain's longest and most popular National Trail - The South West Coast Path. The Path is well signed and easy to follow and passes picturesque harbours, dramatic headlands, tranquil estuaries and secret coves.