Attractions around Seaton and East Devon.
Art, theatre, crafts and traditional skills are thriving in East Devon and Seaton is the perfect location from which you can explore the many and varied attractions of the area as well as neighbouring Dorset.
Wherever you go on the Jurassic Coast you will see evidence of a fascinating past, going back to the time of the dinosaurs.
Along the coast at Lyme Regis and Charmouth the beaches are a rich source of fossils which have been buried in the cliffs for millions of years before being exposed by landslips and storms.
There are the remains of Iron Age forts at Blackbury Camp and Hawkesdown, a medieval manor house at Shute Barton and the Old Bakery, Manor Mill & Forge at Branscombe, both National Trust properties
At Branscombe, is the world famous Donkey Sanctuary, home to over 500 donkeys. Set in scenic surroundings there are 5 nature walks, visitor centre, restaurant and picnic area and of course the donkeys. For more details visit their web site on www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk
At Farway Countryside Park, visitors can walk along a nature trail with breathtaking views of the Axe Valley as well as passing sheep and rare breed cattle fields. Feed the baby lambs, calves and goats, before visiting the nursery to hold the baby rabbits, guinea pigs and many other animals. For more details visit their web site on www.countrysideparkfarway.co.uk
Crealy Adventure Park, near Exeter on the A3052 is 17 miles from Seaton and offers a great day out for children. There are 6 realms of guaranteed fun, Action, Animal, Farming, Magic, Natural and Adventure. There is also over 75,000 sq ft of indoor play including toddler-only areas where children can cuddle the friendliest animals. This year this year there are seven new features in the Park: Dina's Climbing Wall, Dina's Spring Theatre Show, the Crealy Construction Co site in Littleland, Playtime Farm in the Magical Kingdom, the Round the World Play Zone featuring Roundabout Play Pumps, Dino Blasters ride and in the summer holidays the Summer Sunflower Maze will open. For more details visit their web site on www.crealy.co.uk
Bicton Park's magnificent gardens are set in East Devon's picturesque Otter Valley between Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton. The gardens span nearly 300 years of horticultural history and the superbly landscaped 18th century park is registered in the Grade 1 conservation category by English Heritage. Children can play in the superbly equipped indoor and outdoor play areas which include the bigfoot maze, climbing camp, giant tube-slides, swings, a sit-or-stand seesaw, wooden train, pedal-powered roundabout, little thatched cottages and an all-weather football pitch. For more details visit their web site on www.bictongardens.co.uk
Stuart Line Cruises run boat trips along the Jurassic Coast on their open topped boats. Most of their trips start from Exmouth with trips ranging from river cruises up the river Exe to Topsham to coastal day trips along the Jurassic coast to Sidmouth and beyond. For more details visit their web site on www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk
Attractions
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
Above Fisherman’s Gap are Jubilee Gardens, Jubilee House Clock and Seafield Gardens with a Cactus House containing a display of Cactuses. Other attractions are Seaton Bowling Club, small putting green, two tennis courts and an excellent children’s playground.
At the end of April and the beginning of May before the surrounding trees come out in full leaf, the magnificent sight of carpets of Bluebells in flower can be seen in the woods of the Axe Valley.
Hollyford Woods Local Nature Reserve and the National Trust owned Blackbury Camp are both well worth a visit to see Bluebells in flower.
Click on the link for more on bluebells
2005 was the Millennium anniversary of the granting of a royal charter establishing Seaton as a community. To celebrate Seaton’s 1000th anniversary a Labyrinth Walk in the Cliff field has been constructed forming a walk through time more
Pecorama,
Pecorama in its beautiful gardens overlooking Seaton and Lyme Bay to Portland
Bill is home to the Beer Heights Light Railway, Peco model railway exhibition,
Top Spot Garden Theatre, Children’s Activity area and the Garden Room
Restaurant. more
Beer Quarry Caves
Beer Quarry Caves have been worked from Roman times up until the early years of
the 20th centaury. Beer stone was used in the construction St Paul’s
Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. 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
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
Axe Cliff Golf Club is on the cliffs to the east of Seaton and enjoys spectacular views across Seaton Bay and the Axe valley. Axe Cliff is a testing undulating links course with many taxing holes and tricky approach shots to well guarded greens. more