Thirteen of us set off from Sidford, along the tarmac path, known as the Byes, that led us through scenic parkland and eventually beside the river Sid where we looked for the resident dipper (a blackbird sized bird that stands on a rock in the river, and bobs up and down).

We crossed a wooden footbridge into wooded parkland where the trees were beginning to show their Autumn colour, and the leaves were beginning to fall and rustle under our feet.

Entering Sidmouth we were greeted with numerous Blue Plaques detailing the history of some of the town’s buildings.

While crossing the next footbridge, we stood for a while, fascinated by the cars splashing through the ford below us.

We passed a wall remaining from an old prison, and on to the sea front where we could see evidence of how the red Devon cliffs are suffering from erosion from the sea.

We walked to the far end of the sea front and climbed the steps known as Jacob’s Ladder, where we could take in the views, and then through an archway into Connaught Gardens where we sat on park benches to eat our lunch.

We then walked through the town and retraced our steps back to the starting point. From there we drove to a nearby garden centre where we could choose from an array of delicious cakes.