The Axe Valley is in a dedicated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with towns, villages, hamlets, beaches & countryside for everyone. The River Axe estuary is very popular for fishing, and where the river meets the sea at Lyme Bay it becomes part of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast.
SEATON TRAMWAY operates a three-mile route through the glorious Axe Valley, between the coastal resort of Seaton, the small village of Colyford and the ancient town of Colyton. The journey takes half an hour from end to end. There are special events and themed journeys, kids clubs, train driving, and gift shops on the stations (or online). For more information please see advertisement.
It is not possible to mention all of the towns, village and hamlets etc. in this magazine but we will highlight a few. Beer has a brook in the centre of the village that runs the along the line of the pavement. The bay is very sheltered and has therefore become a sun trap for visiting tourists, there are boats to hire and organised fishing trips etc. This village is home to the Beer Quarry Caves where during the season walks through the caves start at 10am.
The YOUTH HOSTEL ASSOCIATION on the edge of the fishing village of Beer is a light and airy country house with a large manicured lawn garden. This relaxing hostel with child-friendly facilities has nearby fishing with trips available, the Beer Quarry Caves, the steam train at Pecorama. The South West Coast Path or head a little further to hunt for fossils on Charmouth Beach. To book accommodation please see advertisement.
In the hills above Beer is PECORAMA, where you can visit the famous Model Railway Exhibition, or enjoy the Beer Heights Light Railway, a miniature railway with its own station, with a mile-long ride through flower filled gardens with breathtaking views of Lyme bay. Then try the Orion Pullman Carriage serving morning coffee, lunchtime snacks and afternoon teas with homemade cakes, including delicious cream teas.
Seaton welcomes visitors from the UK and far afield to take part in scuba diving, fishing and yachting or simply to sun themselves on the beach. The promenade has acted as a focal point for generations of strolling holiday makers.
Seaton is popular with the older generation but it retains enough sparkle to attract families and even younger visitors looking to enjoy a quiet seaside holiday or romantic weekend. This attractive seaside town has a shingle beach and an unusual cliff formation either side of the harbour with red cliffs on one side and white on the other.
Things to do in Seaton consist of a wide range of activities, attractions and events notably the Seaton Carnival encompassing a food festival, a parade and many other activities which takes place in late summer. Additionally there are arcades, a bowling green, miniature golf or tennis, a holiday camp and much more for all age groups. For the very active the Grizzly Run is an annual cross country run commencing in Seaton and going through Beer and Branscombe, plus there are many scenic walks to and from the town. This is Fossil country where hunters can often be found digging through the white chalky cliffs to the east of the town, but please be careful as the cliffs can be treacherous.
THE KINGS ARMS is only a five minute stroll from the beach. This perfect classic 18th Century Devon pub for locals and holiday makers alike is an ideal place to eat, drink and be merry on Devon’s stunning Jurassic Coast. The award winning restaurant offers an exciting and varied menu in a relaxed family friendly atmosphere. Entertainment includes a skittle alley, darts board and live music on Wednesday evening.
Colyton is where the many architectural wonders are delightful; a visit here is a step back in history. The winding streets, pretty walks, enticing shops and amiable pubs typify Colyton’s unspoilt charm. Notable sights include the 12th century St Andrew’s Church, with its unusual lantern tower.
Colyford has its own Mayor and holds a Goose Fair in September each year. TE Lawrence “of Arabia” was a regular customer at the old filling station prior to his fatal motorcycle crash in 1935, and the building now houses a motor museum.
To stay in the area on a farm try BONEHAYNE FARM this is a two hundred and fifty acre working farm with spectacular views, a south facing luxury caravan or cottage with a four poster bed. There are spacious lawns and gardens, good trout fishing, woodlands, walks and the nearest beach in only four miles. To book please see advertisment.
Hawkchurch set in a superb position in beautiful rolling countryside; it has been described as a ‘village of roses’.
Axminster takes its name from the river Axe and the town’s Minster. There is a surprisingly wide variety of things to do here, with plenty of historical sites, outdoor activities and family attractions. The Minster stands in its oasis of green at the heart of the town, nearby is the museum in the Old Courthouse where you can find out more about the town’s carpet industry.
The town has a thriving artistic community and this is reflected in the Art Trail which includes sculptures like Roger Dean’s ‘Farmer and Cow’. The town also hosts the Axe Vale Festival of Gardening and Crafts in June, the largest festival of this type in the Southwest. The East Devon Way footpath and Buzzard Route cycle track pass close to the town, while the mudflats of the Axe estuary are superb for bird watching, and being fairly central it is also a base for the fossil beaches at Charmouth, Seaton, Beer and Sidmouth.
Axmouth has lots of things to see and do and offers perhaps a quieter alternative to the busier more popular places along the coast. With its trams, beautiful busy harbour with many moorings, shops and great sea front it has plenty of room for all the family to sunbathe. From the harbour there are water sports, boats to hire etc. People visit here for the sheer beauty of the area, its river activities and for the nearby attractions.
The Axe Estuary is a favoured haunt for bird-watchers throughout the year, and provides a well protected mooring for small boats. The river at high tide also provides an excellent venue for windsurfing, and there are always fishing opportunities in the river as well as at sea from Axmouth Harbour. The old bridge over the Estuary is one of the oldest in the country constructed in concrete.
Budleigh Salterton 46
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