Downhill Racing - Bransecombe and Sidmouth

The Old Bakery

We drove down the narrow lanes to Branscome, following the 899 bus.  The service runs 3 times a day and connects all the pretty villages on this part of the Devon Coast.  The top car park was tiny and full, so we proceeded to the beach car park. There was plenty of room, and another different type of payment.  This is "pay on exit", which is really better.

The old parts of the village are well spaced out and run by the National Trust.  Long time readers will know that my expectations at National Trust places are rarely met.  That was the case here too.  The Forge is just a shop with a small display.  The Old Bakery is just a shop.  The mill is on bypass and not running.  Although each place is lovely to see, they could do so much more.

We first walked to The Forge, then across the road and a bit further along, the Old Bakery, where we had a light lunch.  Then onto the Church and the Mill.

Bransecombe church is another one with an octogon on top.  The church was open, but not the tower, so we took a look inside.  Not so much stain glass, but a nice church.

The long walk back down hill took its toll, and I was limping a little by the time we returned to the car. 

 

 

 

Then we drove to Sidmouth and walked along the sea front.  A lovely place, with many people enjoying the warm weather.  There was another downhill 'run' from the Manor Road car park to the sea front,  In the late afternoon we are between lunch and dinner.  Most of the cafés are shut, and the evening economy is not yet underway, so it was fish & chips again (shame!)