Dramatic images captured the moment holidaymakers witnessed a cloud of orange dust engulfing a beach in Devon following a cliff collapse. The incident occurred at Jacob’s Ladder beach in Sidmouth around 3 pm on Saturday, July 18, just days before a cliff-edge thatched cottage was set to go up for auction.
The three-bedroom property, previously devalued due to a garden loss from a 2024 cliff fall, failed to sell for £250,000 on July 21. Originally designed and constructed in the 1960s for novelist R. F. Delderfield, the cliff-top house on Peak Hill Road offers stunning views of the beach. Its market value ranges between £1.1 million to £1.6 million, with the current owner purchasing it for £695,000 in 2011.
Closure of the Grade II-listed Jacob’s Ladder steps and the Millennium Walkway due to safety concerns earlier this year has been extended until at least 2027. Sidmouth town beach and Jacob’s Ladder beach are integral parts of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning 95 miles from Exmouth to Dorset.
A spokesperson for East Devon Council, speaking to the BBC, highlighted the inherent risks of soft rock cliffs leading to rock falls and landslides at any time. The council conducts regular cliff inspections in Beer, Budleigh Salterton, Seaton, and Sidmouth to ensure safety measures. However, the specific cliff where the property is situated is not under their jurisdiction.
To ensure beachgoers’ safety, the council provides signage at all managed beaches, with coastguards emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe distance from cliffs equal to their height. In case of a cliff incident, emergency services should be contacted immediately, and individuals are advised against approaching or exploring recent cliff falls.
