Dramatic images captured the moment tourists witnessed a cloud of orange dust enveloping a Devon beach following a cliff collapse.
The incident occurred at Jacob’s Ladder beach in Sidmouth on July 18, just days before an auction for a thatched cottage located on the cliff’s edge. The three-bedroom property failed to sell for £250,000 on July 21, having already experienced a decrease in value due to a previous cliff fall in 2024.
Originally constructed in the 1960s for author R. F. Delderfield, the cliff-top house on Peak Hill Road offers panoramic views of the beach. Despite its estimated market value ranging between £1.1 million and £1.6 million, the property was acquired for £695,000 in 2011.
Both the Grade II-listed Jacob’s Ladder steps and the adjacent Millennium Walkway were closed earlier this year for safety concerns and are expected to remain shut 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.
East Devon Council emphasized the inherent risks of soft rock formations in the cliffs, leading to rock falls and landslides. The council conducts regular inspections and safety measures at various coastal areas but clarified that the cliff housing the property is not part of their monitoring program.
To ensure visitor safety, the council provides clear warning signs at managed beaches and advises beachgoers to maintain a safe distance from cliffs equal to their height. In case of a cliff fall incident, individuals are urged to contact emergency services immediately and avoid approaching or exploring recent cliff collapses.