Royal Glen Hotel Places to Explore

Just ask at Hotel reception if you would like to have a leaf through the file of ideas and maps to help you plan a walk.

64 acres of gardens, spanning 300 year of gardening history, Bicton Park is home to many rare and beautiful species from around the world. The amazing Palm House is made from over 18,000 panes of glass. As well as the various houses, there are attractions for children as well, such as play areas, crazy golf, football pitch and pedal tractors.

Sidmouth Golf Club is less than a mile away and welcomes visitors, groups and societies. There is a superb, challenging 18-hole course with amazing views of the coastline and ocean, as well as friendly clubhouse bar, restaurant and shop.

Nearby Connaught Gardens provides a lovely spot to take in the amazing beach and sea views. You’ll find theirs is almost always something on in the Gardens music, theatre and art exhibitions. During the summer there’s usually a band performing, and occasionally in summer an outdoor theatres production.

There are plenty of amazing beaches in Sidmouth and nearby – ask at Reception which ones are best for swimming, watersports, walking, rockpooling or just soaking up some sunshine. These include Sidmouth town beach, Jacobs Ladder, Branscombe, Budleigh Salterton and Hooken beaches.

You’re on the Jurassic Coast and so anything is possible when you go out looking for fossils here. Try  Charmouth and Lyme Regis, in particular, where you can sign up for a fascinating guided fossil walks.

The nearby Donkey Sanctuary is a charity home for donkeys and mules, and a great chance learn about these animals. There’s also a number of indoor attractions and interactive displays, scenic farm trails, Nature Centre, a farm-themed Play Area and Maze, that will keep visitors of all ages amused all day. Admission is free and the Donkey Sanctuary is open all year round.

Open April to October, you can explore the history of Sidmouth from tiny fishing village to today’s popular seaside town. There’s a full collection of Regency and Victoriana items, a costume collection, lace collection, early paintings, prints and photographs, and a fascinating collection of rocks, fossils and footprints from the Jurassic Coast.

This historical observatory is a centre for amateur astronomy, meteorology, radio astronomy, and science education. Enjoy a short talk, planetarium presentation and the historic telescopes and technology centre. Check opening times and the Observatory is not open to the public ever day.

In the centre of Sidmouth, the Manor Pavilion Theatre is open all year round with plays, musicals, comedies, concerts, variety shows, dance shows, professional ballet and pantomime.

Trekking through the Devon countryside with the Bearhouse Alpacas is a wonderful, unique, experience.