A Riverside Walk Through Sidmouth’s Hidden Gem – The Byes
There’s something special about a walk that completely exceeds expectations — and that’s exactly what happened on our recent visit to Sidmouth and the beautiful riverside area known as The Byes.
We don’t visit Sidmouth all that often, mainly because Devon is packed full of amazing places to explore and there’s always somewhere new calling our name. But after hearing so many good things about The Byes, we finally decided it was time to see what all the fuss was about — and honestly, we’re glad we did.
How We Reached The Byes
To make the day feel even more relaxed, we travelled by bus and arrived at the Triangle bus stop right in the heart of town. Straight away, Sidmouth had that lovely traditional seaside atmosphere — independent shops, friendly faces, and plenty of character around every corner.
Walking Through Sidmouth
From the Triangle we wandered past Kennaway House and along Church Street, taking our time to browse the mix of local shops along the way. The old-fashioned sweet shop immediately caught our attention, while the tempting smells from Brown’s Kitchen Bakery made it hard not to stop for a treat.
Continuing on towards the old Market area and into Old Fore Street, we found even more independent gems tucked away — jewellers, gift shops, cafés, and quirky little businesses that give Sidmouth its charm. It’s the sort of town where you can happily slow your pace and just enjoy wandering.
Exploring The Byes Riverside Walk
Eventually we made our way down towards Alma Bridge and the riverside area known as The Ham, where our walk alongside the River Sid truly began.
Almost immediately, the atmosphere changed.
The sound of flowing water replaced the bustle of the town, and before long we were watching vehicles carefully crossing a shallow ford through the river — something you don’t see every day. Crossing over, we soon reached the lovely old Byes Toll Gatehouse, which felt like the unofficial gateway into one of Sidmouth’s hidden gems.
And hidden gem really is the best way to describe The Byes.
Following the River Sid northwards towards Sidford, the riverside section of the walk stretched for around 1.8 miles through peaceful parkland, open meadows, wooded areas, and beautifully maintained riverside paths. By the time we’d walked from the Triangle bus stop, explored The Byes and returned back through Sidmouth, we’d covered approximately 4.3 miles in total — although it certainly never felt that far thanks to the scenery along the way. Every few minutes there seemed to be another little bridge crossing the water, adding even more charm to the route.
Wildlife, Bridges and Riverside Views
What made the walk especially memorable was how relaxing it felt. The gentle sound of the river tumbling over rocks and small cascades created that calming background noise you could happily sit and listen to for hours. Along the way we spotted birds darting through the trees, squirrels playing nearby, and plenty of people simply enjoying the outdoors.
Is The Byes Walk Accessible?
One thing we really liked was how accessible the route felt for everyone. During our walk we saw dog walkers, cyclists, families with buggies, wheelchair users, joggers, and people simply enjoying a peaceful stroll. The paths are mostly a mixture of surfaced footpaths and easy trails, making it a great option for all ages and abilities.
Although we usually prefer circular walks, this time we simply retraced our steps back towards Sidmouth — and honestly, we didn’t mind in the slightest. Walking the route in reverse somehow made it feel completely different. Crossing one of the little bridges on the return journey gave us a fresh perspective of the water, trees, and open green spaces.
Sometimes the simplest walks turn out to be the most memorable.
The Byes may not be one of Devon’s most talked-about beauty spots, but perhaps that’s part of its appeal. Peaceful, scenic, accessible, and full of natural charm, it’s somewhere we’ll definitely return to again.
And this was only part of our day…
We also spent time exploring more of Sidmouth itself, which deserves a separate post of its own — so keep an eye out for that coming soon!
Walk Details
- Distance: Around 3.5–4 miles there and back
- Route: Sidmouth to Sidford via The Byes
- Terrain: Riverside footpaths and gentle trails
- Family Friendly: Absolutely
- Best For: Relaxing riverside walks, wildlife, accessible walking, peaceful scenery
Below is an approximate map of the route we followed during our visit.
Final Thoughts
The Byes is one of those walks that quietly impresses you. A peaceful riverside route through Sidmouth, full of woodland, open parkland and gentle stretches of the River Sid.
It’s easy to walk, easy to enjoy, and one we’ll definitely return to again.
Have you visited The Byes before? 👉 Comment on our Facebook post for this Sidmouth walk
Frequently Asked Questions About The Byes, Sidmouth
The answers below are based on our personal experience during our visit to The Byes. Conditions such as access, paths, parking and routes may change over time, so it’s always worth checking locally before you travel.
How long is The Byes walk in Sidmouth?
The walk between Sidmouth and Sidford through The Byes is around 1.8 miles each way, making it a relaxed riverside walk of roughly 3.5–4 miles there and back depending on your route.
Is The Byes dog friendly?
On our visit, we passed plenty of dog walkers enjoying the route, and it’s clearly a very popular spot for people out with their dogs thanks to the open green spaces and riverside paths.
Is The Byes suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs?
We saw a number of people using pushchairs and mobility aids during our walk. Much of The Byes has wide, surfaced paths that make it accessible, although some smaller sections of trail may be uneven in places.
Where does The Byes walk start?
Many people seem to start around Alma Bridge and The Ham area in Sidmouth, where the riverside path begins and follows the River Sid northwards towards Sidford.
Is parking available near The Byes?
There are several car parks in Sidmouth town centre within easy walking distance. We arrived by bus at the Triangle, which also worked really well for accessing the route.
Can you cycle through The Byes?
We did see cyclists using the path alongside walkers, runners and families. It appears to be a shared-use route, so it’s well used by a mix of visitors.