Earth works

Earth works sits on the Devon cliffs near Sidmouth and it's genuinely worth stopping for if you're in the area. The landslip that created it happened in 1839 - a massive section of the clifftop simply gave way, leaving behind towering red and ochre rock faces that look almost sculptural. Walking down to see them properly takes about twenty minutes from the road, and the path can be muddy even when it hasn't rained recently, so decent footwear matters.

What you're actually looking at is geology in motion. The exposed strata tell the story of the rocks underneath - layers of sandstone and shale that have been doing their slow dance with gravity for centuries. It's the kind of thing that appeals hugely to walkers and anyone vaguely interested in natural history. Kids might find it impressive for a bit, though there's not much to do beyond look and take photos. The views back along the coast toward Sidmouth are proper lovely.

Getting there involves a coastal path walk from near Sidmouth, and it's free to visit whenever you fancy. Allow a couple of hours if you're not moving fast. Summer weekends can get busy with other walkers, so early morning or off-season works better if you want it quieter.

Staying at Oakdown or Beer Head puts you within easy reach for an afternoon sortie, and combined with the clifftop walks and beaches around here, it slots nicely into a proper coastal week. The area rewards poking about - this isn't a destination that demands hours, but it's too interesting to skip.