Town and Village Profiles

Seaton

With the ancient harbour of Axmouth to the east and the white cliffs of Beer to the west, Seaton occupies a flat site at the mouth of the River Axe.  Its mile long beach opens onto the waters of Seaton Bay, and offers opportunities for water sports of all kinds, from sailing and swimming, to diving and windsurfing.

The South West Coastal Path passes along the seafront. Walkers can either head westwards to Beer, or eastwards through the unique 'Undercliff Nature Reserve' to Lyme Regis.  In December 2001 the coastline was awarded World Heritage Site status.  Further information on the Dorset and East Devon World Heritage Coastline visit JurassicCoast.com

Seaton Tramway, operates electric trams on the former British Rail line along the beautiful Axe Estuary.  The journey runs for three miles inland beside the rivers Axe and Coly to the medieval market town of Colyton.  Perfect for birdwatchers, transport enthusiasts or those who simply want to watch the beautiful riverside scenery glide gently by.  The trams run between the Victorian-style terminus at Seaton and the former railway station at Colyton.  The tramway is one of the unique attractions of the whole area.  'Birdwatching Specials' run throughout the season.  In 2002 the Tramway was awarded "Best Small Attraction" (under 100,000 visitors per year) by South West Tourism.

Adjacent to the Tramway and Information Centre Car Park is the newly created Seaton Marshes Nature Reserve (with public access including a Bird Watching Hide), a children's playground and skateboard park.

The town itself has many the small shops - greengrocer, fishmonger, butcher, art gallery and florist - which have disappeared from so many other high streets.  The main shopping area is largely traffic-free.  The town participates enthusiastically each year in the Britain in Bloom competition.

The Jubilee Gardens adjoining the sea front lead to the Clock Tower, bowling green, putting green, tennis courts, large children's playground and nearby Cactus House, while the Cliff Field Gardens a short distance away give fine views over the bay.

From August Bank Holiday weekend to the first Saturday in September is Seaton Carnival Week.  On the final Saturday evening, there is a procession of illuminated floats that passes through the centre of the town.  Large crowds view the tableaux designed by a wide variety of local organisations, ranging from pubs and youth groups to carnival clubs created specially for the annual cycle of East Devon carnivals, of which this is the first of the season.

The Axe Valley Heritage Museum is sited in the Town Hall in Fore Street, and houses a fine collection of photographs of the area, together with archaeological finds and a display of period costume.  The museum is open from the end of May to October.  You can visit their website SeatonMuseum.co.uk

Seaton has been a resort town for over a century, and still offers a warm welcome to its many visitors.

Beer

Beer is a fishing village nestling in a small valley which opens into a sheltered bay fringed with white chalk cliffs.  A brook flows down each side of the main street. There are shops, restaurants, tea rooms, guesthouses and three pubs.

The history of the village revolves around fishing, stone quarrying, lace making and smuggling.  There is still a small but very active fishing fleet, whose boats are launched directly from the shingle beach, as they have been for centuries.  These boats share the bay and surrounding waters with pleasure craft of all kinds.  The village has its own Sailing Club which hosted the International 14's World Championships in 2000.  There are self-drive motor boats available for hire or take a fishing trip with one of the local fishermen.  The fishermen land their catches on the beach, and fresh fish and shellfish are sold in a small shop literally yards from the water's edge.  Breakfast at one of the beach cafes is a must.

In mid August, Beer Regatta Week involves a range of events that include sailing, swimming and raft races off the beach.

In the 18th and 19th centuries Beer was a haven for smugglers, the most notorious of whom was Jack Rattenbury, whose exploits are remembered on Rattenbury Day in early September.  On this day, 'passports' to the village go on sale (the proceeds go to national and local charities).  Visitors can view traditional crafts, watch demonstrations by the Coastguards and other organisations, and join in the fun by coming in fancy dress and maybe win a prize for the best 'smuggler' costume.

Beer stone was first quarried by the Romans, and was later used in 24 English cathedrals, including St. Paul's in London and Winchester, Wells, Exeter, and Canterbury, together with Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court and Buckingham Palace.  The huge caverns from which the stone was cut by hand are now open to the public.  Beer Quarry Caves lie about a mile inland from the village and offer one-hour guided tours from Easter to the end of October.

On the hill overlooking the village is Pecorama, a delight for railway enthusiasts of all ages.  Indoors, there is a shop and extensive model railway exhibition, while the outdoor attractions include rides on the Beer Heights Light Railway, on which miniature steam locomotives pull carriages over almost a mile of track through the attractive gardens, providing beautiful views over the village and Lyme Bay. The spectacular Millennium Garden was opened in July 2000.  There is also crazy golf and an adventure playground for children.

Set in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and part of the World Heritage Site, Beer has plenty to offer the visitor, whether you choose to relax on the beach, take a boat trip, walk amid the stunning coastal scenery, or explore the village itself.