Seaton
and Devon's World Heritage Coastline.
Lyme Bay contains much of the UNESCO World Heritage coastline of Dorset and East Devon, the Jurassic Coast.
Set inside Lyme Bay is the picturesque Seaton Bay with its mile long shingle beach. The coastal resort of Seaton, now a gateway town to the Jurassic Coast is in the centre of the bay and the estuary of the River Axe is at its eastern end.
Seaton’s setting in the landscape is visually stunning and environmentally important.
Seaton is a traditional Devon seaside town in the midst of an area of outstanding natural beauty midway between Lyme Regis and Sidmouth.
It stands at a unique point on the 95-mile Jurassic Coast of the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Coastline.
From Seaton it is possible to see, walk to, or easily visit all three eras of rocks in this 185 million-year ‘geological walk through time’.
The Chalk cliffs of Beer date from the Cretaceous period with the rock strata changing at Seaton to the red cliffs of the Triassic age.
This Triassic rock stratum stretches from Axmouth to Pinhay Bay, west of Lyme Regis when the exposed rock strata changes again the grey clays of the Jurassic period.
The adjacent Axmouth Harbour was once one of Devon’s most important trading ports, and the Axe Estuary today is an area of important bird and wildlife, with the surrounding area designated part of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
There is so much to discover in Seaton Bay.
For the active, Seaton Bay’s sports facilities include windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving, and fishing.
Seaton Marshes and wetlands teem with birdlife throughout the year. The famous Seaton Trams run alongside the estuary and marshes on their journey to Colyton, and from one of the Seaton Tramways open top trams it is possible to see 30 to 50 different varieties of birds.
There are walking and cycle paths to explore throughout the Axe Valleys scenic countryside. And for those who wish to relax and see the sights, Devon’s many attractions are just a short drive away.
The Jurassic Coast is world-class and is a great place for holidays, no matter what the time of year and in Seaton and Axe Valley you will find a variety of holiday accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.
Click on the Google Logo for a large version Map of Seaton and Beer.
The larger version will open in a new window.
Use the slider controls to zoom in or out
Seaton: Gateway to the Jurassic Coast.
Though the Jurassic Coast is a relatively new World Heritage Site, the status being awarded by UNESCO in 2001, the Jurassic Coast is visited by an estimated 22 million people every year.
In 2005 the Jurassic Coast was the winner of the 2005 Tourism for Tomorrow Award by the World Travel and Tourism Council as a leading example of best practice for sustainable tourism, and was recently a runner-up in the National Geographic and Conservation International World Legacy Awards.
The Jurassic Coast has a unique historical importance to the founding of geology and it remains at the forefront of modern earth science research. The geological formations of the Jurassic Coast are displayed within an unspoilt and accessible coastline of great beauty.
The 95 mile coast line displays a near continuous sequence of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous rock features representing almost the entire Mesozoic era, together with outstanding geographical features such as landslides, a barrier beach and lagoon, cliffs and raised fossil beaches.
In September of 2005, a report commissioned by East Devon District Council named Seaton and Exmouth as the two preferred locations for "World-Class Visitor Gateway Centres"
The intention is to create a "World-Class" Visitor Gateway Centre in Seaton adjacent to the Seaton Tramway Terminus and TIC with two core themes, the Jurassic Coast and the Axe Estuary.
The Seaton Visitor Gateway Centre is forecast to attract upwards of 250,000 visitors year and it is hoped that as the report recommends an "an iconic and ecologically cutting-edge building" is built which will further encourage the regeneration of the town.
Ministers act to protect Lyme Bay sea life
Defra Ministers have banned damaging types of fishing in 60 square nautical miles of sea off the Devon and Dorset coast to protect threatened sea life.
About ten per cent of Lyme Bay from West Bay to Beer Head which includes Seaton Bay will be permanently closed to scallop dredgers and bottom trawlers which drag nets along the seabed, to safeguard the area’s rich marine life and habitats.
Lyme Bay is home to around 300 recorded species of plants and animals, including dense populations of the nationally protected pink seafan and the extremely rare sunset coral. As well as a haven for sponges, starfish and coral, the reefs also support a range of seafood animals, including crab, lobster and scallops.
After public consultation and a full assessment of the impacts, the government has ordered that the area be closed from early July 2008.
Fishing using nets nearer the surface or static nets and lines will still be allowed, as will diving for scallops, scuba diving and sea angling.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said:
"Lyme Bay is one of Britain’s richest marine environments, and the measures we have announced today will protect the reefs and the wildlife that depends on them from the most damaging fishing methods.
The environmental benefits will be huge, and species under threat will be able to recover and thrive."
Marine and Fisheries Minister Jonathan Shaw said:
“A lot of work has gone into assessing the impacts, and this is just the kind of major decision about managing and protecting our seas that the government’s Marine Bill will help us take in future.
”The decision to protect Lyme Bay’s wildlife shows that we are committed to protecting the marine environment. I want to work with people all around our coast to establish a national network of marine conservation zones to help protect the richness and diversity of life in our seas.”
The recovery of species and habitats in the closed area, as well as social and economic impacts, will be monitored closely.
Banner Photo
To see the complete photograph that the banner was taken from, click on the thumbnail
16th November, looking along the beach from Seaton Hole towards the main beach and town
19th October, Anglers are fishing along the full length of the beach in a competition
The 2008 Seaton Carnival with its parade of brightly lit floats through the streets of the town took place on 30th August.
more photos of the 2008 Seaton Carnival
Seaton beach, Sunday 24th August 2008. Stuart Lines 'Pride of Exmouth' ran trips along the coast as part of Carnival week
Seaton Beach Sunday 27th July 2008
The Labyrinth and Cliff Top Gardens looking towards Seaton Hole, 20th July 2008
A summer evening on Beer beach, 10th June 2008
Easter 2008, on Beer Head looking towards Branscombe with heavy showers approaching
"10.30am on Seaton sea front, the start of the Grizzly Run"
"The fishermen have landed their catch on Beer Beach and the Gulls are after the leftovers"
Just after sun set 9th February 5.14pm from Seaton beach looking towards Beer Head"
9th December 2007, A storm overnight has swept away the shingle leaving a sandy beach
2nd December 2007, high tide at the harbour mouth its a neap tide and the wind is 60mph
7.56am, 21st October 2007. Sunrise over the river mouth with a mist rising off the sea.
7.40am, 4th October 2007. Looking towards Axmouth Harbour from the Harbour Mouth
This picture was taken on the 18th March 2007 looking towards Seaton. The winter storms have moved the pebbles eastwards revealing a sandy beach and mudstone rocks
The 2008 Grizzly
Grizzly 2009 will be on Sunday March 8th with entries opening on Monday 22nd September.
ARMAGEDDON NOWhERE
Sunday 9th September, 2008
Twentyish muddy, hilly, boggy, beach miles of the multiest-terrain running experience you will find this side of the end of time.
The Seaton to Beer Land Train service will start on the 5th of April and run every day throughout the summer untill September. It will run from Seaton to Beer, starting at Lyme Bay Holiday Village stopping at the Coach Park and Fisherman's Gap before going on to Beer Cross. Passengers will be able to stop off in Beer or Seaton before returning on a later train. more
Seaton Marshes Nature Reserve stretches from the estuary at Axmouth to the village of Colyford. Its mud flats, scrapes, grazing marsh, ditches and ponds attract birdlife throughout the year, but especially in the winter months.more
The Undercliff National Nature Reserve is one of the most important wilderness areas in Britain. The walk between Axmouth and Lyme Regis following the South West Coast Path is an adventure not to be missed. more
The Dorset and East Devon Coast is England's first natural World Heritage Site and Seaton is an ideal base to explore this fascinating coastline. You can see 185 million years of geological history in its 95 mile landscape.more
At the foot of the Haven Cliffs and at the mouth of the River Axe Estuary is Axmouth Harbour. The harbour which was once one of the busiest ports in Devon is now used mainly by Axe Yacht Club and local inshore fishing boats. more
Beer is a working fishing village as well as a picturesque tourist attraction. Visitors can sit on the 'sun trap' beach at one of the beach cafés amongst the fishing boats and forget the world and its troubles.
Click on the link for more on Beer
Hill climbing first took place at Wiscombe House in 1958. Wiscombe has its own flourishing championship and in 2007 there will be 12 action packed days of hill climbing providing a varied selection of events featuring classes of vehicles from modern day production cars to historic vintage cars and motorcycles. more
Seaton Tramways operate narrow gauge heritage trams between Seaton, Colyford and Colyton in East Devon's Axe Valley and is one of Devon’s major tourist attractions carrying over 100,000 passengers a year. more
Seaton’s 2008 illuminated Carnival took place on Saturday 30th August.Thousands of people came to see the evening event, featuring bands, Majorettes and over 50 colourful floats. more