Steps on Salcombe Hill, Sidmouth, 1891, Devon

Watercolour drawing of the steps on Salcombe Hill, Sidmouth, 1891, Devon

Here is a watercolour showing a quiet corner of Salcombe Hill on a sunny June day in 1891. This sheltered bower may have held a special place in the heart of the anonymous artist who painted the scene. It shows set of steps on a cliff edge path ascending the hill between Sidmouth and Salcombe Regis. The bench to the left would have made a welcome resting point for weary Victorian visitors climbing Salcombe Hill from their hotels in Sidmouth, as well offering excellent sea views.

Salcombe Hill is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, is included within the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is looked after by the National Trust as part of Sidmouth Countryside. The cliffs between Sidmouth and Salcombe Regis have suffered from heavy and continuous erosion and it is very likely that the cliff path shown in this watercolour has long since been lost to the sea. At present, various schemes are being considered in order to slow down the rate of beach and cliff erosion in the area to the East of Sidmouth. Plans are also being made to reroute the South West Coast Path at this point in order to protect it from this coastal erosion and to ensure its long-term viability.

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