Photos taken Bank Holiday Sunday 24th August 2008 By Jan Marshall ©
Parking is available FREE in the car park on Peak Hill opposite an entrance to the coastal path. This section of the path is not suitable for wheel chair/pushchair users – and after the recent rains was muddy.
The distant along this path to Ladram Bay is approximately one and a half miles. The path is up and down hill and you need to be moderately fit and ideally wear proper walking boots.
The first part of the path is across fields and is relatively easy but the path through the wooded area you can see is stepped, steep in places and muddy after rain.
Below: Pausing to catch our breath and look back at Sidmouth
Below: Approaching Ladram Bay
Below: Ladram Bay stacks come into view. The stacks are considered one of the most dramatic sights along the World Heritage Coast in East Devon. The stacks were formed from caves that over time were hollowed out by the sea, they then became arches which eventually collapsed, forming the stacks we see today.
The red colour of both the stacks and the cliffs is due to iron minerals that have weathered over time, telling us that the land was once being a hot, desert area. These are Triassic rocks and at between 250 and 200 million years old are the oldest rocks along the World Heritage Coast.
Below: Looking through the stacks towards Sidmouth
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Below: Ladram Bay itself – it’s a pity it is so overcast because the rocks look their best in bright sunshine!
Below: A bench is conveniently situated for a wonderful view back towards Sidmouth (and a coffee break!) – the weather is brightening up now.
Below: Heading back towards Sidmouth (after a picnic!) – the hang-glider pilot has obviously made an afternoon of it.
The return trip: approximately 3 miles in all.
[...] a photo of the stacks at Ladram Bay – if you’d like to see more pics of our walk follow the link to my photographic blog of [...]
Really enjoyed looking at your beautiful pictures
tea
xo
Beautiful
I am from Los Angeles and stayed in Sidmouth. We walked from Glen Road (Sidmouth) to top of Peak Hill and I will always remember how lovely it was. Enjoyed seeing your pictures.
My traveling companion and myself are 76 & 80…
Hi Roz,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the pictures and the scenery.
[...] Yesterday we walked along the beach just before dusk. Take a look: We were heading from Jacob’s Ladder towards Ladram Bay stacks … if you’d like to see more photos I took of the stacks this Autumn (in daylight) click here. [...]
Ladram bay brings back so many good memories, i remember long walks with the folks on the beach and down to sidmouth.It was 1978 when we first stayed there and as an eleven year old, those stacks were quite scary!!
Took my family back there for the day a couple of years back,the place has changed so much,very over-commercialised ,but it was good to get back on the shingle beach ,somehow those stacks still give me the jitters stange is’nt it?
thanks for the memories
dave
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the photos. I first went to Ladram Bay and Sidmouth when I was about 4 with my Aunty and Uncle. Countless times I took my children to stay at Ladram, (they are now 29,28,&26), and countless times we walked to Sidmouth. Even my grandsons aged 4 and 5 have stayed there. I remember the views from the path well. We still stay at Ladram with our youngest son, 13, but sadly I am now disabled and will never again be able to hike up over the hill. My reason for searching out pictures of the area is that I am writing a piece of fiction for my Open University course and wanted to refresh my memory. Seeing your photos have brought back so many happy memories and has also provided material for my assignment. Thank you. Liz