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Tranquil wildflower meadow with breathtaking views over Sidmouth and across the bay to Portland on a clear day.

Just a stone’s throw from the coastal path, Delderfield is a great place to stop off for a peaceful picnic. While away a quiet hour on a sunny day, enjoy the wild flowers in the meadow and the hum of insects in the air.

The nature reserve was named after the novelist and dramatist RF Delderfield, best known for his novels ‘To Serve Them All My Days’ and ‘A Horseman Riding By’ which were later adapted for television. The little thatched house up on the hillside looking south west from the nature reserve was Delderfield's home; it is called ‘The Gazebo’ and he commissioned it to be built in 1962.

In late spring look out for the stunning Southern Marsh Orchid, followed by other meadow plants such as Meadow Vetchling, Ox Eye Daisy and Bird's Foot Trefoil.

Our Delderfield Nature Reserve is a great gateway to Sidmouth and fantastic for soaking up the cliffside views.

When walking through it, look out for a badger run half way up the hill - a worn path used by small mammals cutting across the path. The wildflowers bloom in the reserve in the Spring and in summer it's a perfect picnic spot for people walking on the nearby South West Coast Path.

Location

There is just one entrance to the nature reserve; over a stile in the South West corner. There is roadside parking coming up Peak Hill out of Sidmouth. From here, follow the coast path up the hill and when you reach the garage door and gate for ‘The Gazebo’, cross the road and continue up the grass verge for a few metres until you reach the stile. What3Words: East Entrance ///bank.rings.camp West Entrance: ///adults.jolly.solar

Directions

Get directions to Delderfield Community Nature Reserve nature reserve with Google Maps.

Parking

Roadside parking coming up Peak Hill out of Sidmouth.

Best time to visit

Spring and summer.

Opening times

All Wild East Devon Nature Reserves are open free of charge to the public at all times.

Facilities

Picnic benches

Walking information

Sloping ground.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome; please keep them under close control (or on a short lead if there are livestock grazing on the site) and clean up after them.