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Delderfield Community Nature Reserve
Delderfield Community Nature Reserve

An Abundance of Wildflowers Greets You at Delderfield

Enjoy a 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 wildflowers 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.

Bloomin’ Lovely

The wildflowers bloom in the reserve in the spring and in summer making it a perfect spot for a picnic for people walking on the nearby South West Coast Path.

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.

When walking through it, look out for a badger run halfway up the hill - a worn path used by small mammals cutting across the path.

Plan Your Visit

  • Parking: Roadside parking coming up Peak Hill out of Sidmouth.
  • 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
  • Walking information: Sloping ground.
  • Access: The steep gradients and uneven nature of the reserve make it unsuitable for wheelchair access.
  • Dogs: Dogs are welcome but must be kept under close control, or on a short lead if there are livestock grazing on the site, and owners should clean up after them.
  • Facilities: Picnic benches.

Opening Hours

Delderfield Community Nature Reserve like all East Devon District Council nature reserves is open to the public free of charge year-round.

Directions

Find directions to Delderfield Community Nature Reserve with Google Maps.