Jacob’s Ladder is the sandy, western end of Sidmouth’s town beach, which is mostly pebble. Excellent for young children, there is a large expanse of sand and plenty of rock pools at low tide. Access is via a level path from the main beach or from Connaught Gardens, using the series of wooden steps that give the beach its name.

“Jacobs Ladder beach is a magnet for families. Enjoy a snack and wait for the tide to ebb to expose those golden sands.”

The attractive Victorian resort of Sidmouth lies on the coast about 15 miles from Exeter. The main beach on the town’s sea-front is largely made up of hand-sized pebbles above the shoreline.At low tide a strip of rich red sand is exposed with some interesting rock pools. Sidmouth’s gently sloping beach is backed by a low sea wall, and there are a number of groynes leading into the sea, to minimise beach erosion. Red-hued cliffs flank both sides of the beach.
Parking is available at various locations in the town, including a paying car park at the eastern end of the beach. To the left, facing the sea, lies the river Sid. To the right an esplanade extends beyond Chit Rocks towards Jacobs Ladder Beach. The town beach has a slipway at the eastern end which gives boats access to the sea. At the western end of the esplanade kayaks and canoes are available for hire.
There is no lifeguard, and swimmers should not swim beyond the marked buoys as there are strong currents in the offshore breakwaters.