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.
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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.
MSC Napoli
On the 19th January 2007 the container ship MSC Napoli was grounded off Branscombe beach in an effort to prevent the vessel from sinking after being virtually split in two during the storms of the week before.
The Napoli was carrying nearly 2,400 containers and during the operation to beach the ship 103 were lost overboard. Of these 57 were washed ashore and 46 were lost in the sea.
To date all but nine containers have been located and dealt with. The nine missing containers do not contain any hazardous materials or cargo.
The clean up operation is ongoing, all of the beached containers have been removed from Branscombe beach and the debris has been picked up. Branscombe beach is open to visitors and in Branscombe Village it is business as normal with all the village roads and businesses open.
The Napoli was broken in two on the 20th July and on the 9th August the bow section was towed by Coast Guard Tugs to Belfast for recycling.
The remaining part of the stern section of the vessel remains aground off Branscombe where she sits a few hundred metres off the low water line with a list of 40° to starboard.
Preparatory work to break up key parts of the stern through use of controlled cutting charges is continuing. Previous detonations within the engine casing have been successful, and weather allowing work has continued this week with the aim to complete removal of the propeller, rudder and to split the main propeller shaft.
The Temporary Exclusion Zone has been increased to 1500 metres until the work with cutting charges is completed.
There is no requirement to restrict access to the nearby beaches.
Aerial surveillance flights are patrolling the area on a regular basis.
The ship owners have in place a range of counter response measures including personnel and equipment, and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's Counter Pollution and Salvage Office is remaining in situ as routine, during this preparatory work.
Preparatory work is essential before the actual cutting and removal process can begin to remove the rest of the stern. Tugs, barges and cutting equipment will be mobilised at the beginning of May.
Scrap from the vessel will be removed from the site by barge and transported to Rotterdam for re-cycling.
Work to keep the beaches clear is continuing, with material being removed on a daily basis.
On completion of the removal of the stern section, a full underwater inspection will be carried out to ensure that the seabed has been cleared of debris from the MSC Napoli.
Banner Photo
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30th March 2008 on Beer beach looking up Sea Hill
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
The 2007 Seaton Carnival with its parade of brightly lit floats through the streets of the town took place on 1st September.
29th April 2007, the bluebells are out in Blackbury Fort
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
This picture was taken on the 4th February 2007 looking towards Seaton Hole 2 weeks after the Napoli was beached off Branscombe
The 2008 Grizzly
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.
Seaton’s illuminated Carnival takes place on the Saturday at the end of August Bank Holiday. Thousands of people see the evening event, featuring bands, Majorettes and colourful floats. more
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.
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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