The best traffic-free bike rides in East Devon

If you enjoy a dramatic entrance, Jacob’s Ladder is Sidmouth’s version of a red carpet—just with more cardio! These iconic white wooden steps link the lush Connaught Gardens to a stunning pebble beach below. As you descend, you get a "bird’s-eye" view of the red Triassic cliffs that look like giant slices of rusty gingerbread. Reach the bottom and you’re in a world of rock pools and crashing waves. Legend says if you climb back up without stopping, you’ve earned an extra large Devon cream tea at the top. Challenge accepted?

If you’re heading to Beer Beach in East Devon, don’t expect a sandy tropical paradise—and definitely don’t expect actual beer flowing from the cliffs (though the name is a great conversation starter). Instead, you get a quintessential, "old-school" British fishing cove that’s basically a natural suntrap tucked between towering white chalk cliffs. It’s part of the Jurassic Coast, so it’s millions of years of history served with a side of fish and chips. Why it’s a "Vibe": The Boats: This isn't a harbor with a pier; the local fishermen literally winch their colorful boats right up onto the shingle (pebble) beach. It’s like a live-action painting watching them bring in the daily catch of mackerel and crab. The "Pebble Massage": Forget sand in your shoes; here, you get smooth, grey pebbles. Pro-tip: Rent one of the iconic blue and white deckchairs. Your lower back will thank you, and you’ll look like a 1950s movie star. The Beach Cafes: There are little huts right on the shingle where you can grab a crab sandwich or a cream tea. Eating fresh seafood while your toes are three feet from the waves? Hard to beat. The Name: Sadly, "Beer" comes from the Old English word bearu, meaning "grove" or "wood." But don't let that stop you—the village has plenty of actual beer in its cozy pubs like The Anchor Inn, which has a cliff-top garden with elite views. Hidden Gems Nearby: Beer Quarry Caves: Just up the road, you can take a tour of the massive underground caverns where the famous "Beer Stone" was mined for cathedrals like Exeter and Westminster Abbey. It’s like a cool, damp cathedral hidden inside a hill. The Coastal Path: If you walk west toward Branscombe, you’ll tackle some steep "stairway to heaven" climbs, but the views of the white cliffs against the blue sea are pure magic.

Look out for an entrance onto a footpath on your right, which follows beside the railway tracks on your left, and the exe estuary on your right. The path is too narrow for cycling but great for walking and running.

you can easily end up walking in circles i followed a public foot path that leads to a dead end amazing looking houses

Jurassic Coast - here, as a touring cyclist, you get a nice access with wonderful views, swimming options and good restaurants.

Best cafe for miles . Loads of seating inside and out. Pet friendly. Fantastic cakes and fresh coffee. Staff are brilliant

Colyford Filling Station, built in 1927-8 to the designs of Frederick Kett. Grade II listed building.

A mile-long beach with a mix of sand and shingle, clear water, and a gently sloping shore. It's a great place for swimming, water sports, and walking. The beach is surrounded by cliffs and green hillsides, and is a popular spot for photographers. A flat walking area that runs alongside the beach, with a cafe at one end and the town at the other.