GuideMeTo Axmouth, attractions, activities & things to do in Axmouth, Devon


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The sheltered coastal area around Axmouth is of great scientific and educational importance, with remarkable coastal geology and a varied and complex marine topography, including reefs.

The stretch of coast between Axmouth and the tourist resort of Lyme Regis - known to locals as the Landslip or Undercliff - has an 'uncomfortable' geological structure almost unique in the British Isles, if not in Europe. Violent landslipping over the centuries has formed a series of sheltered undercliff, and set the stage for what is now a forbidding frontier between the sea and mainland.

The land & marine environments are also home to an amazing range of plant and animal life. The Estuary is a favoured haunt for twitchers where Curlew, Oyster Catcher, Lapwing, Redshank, Kingfisher, Egret and Osprey have been spotted.

These noteworthy features have resulted in this coastline being designated Heritage Coast, Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a National Nature Reserve and various Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The area has also been included in a World Heritage Site proposal.

Anglers and sea fishers are well catered for, fishing one of the few privately owned estuaries in the country. Permits are available from the Harbour Filling Station with easy access to the estuary, and with a Chandlery and tackle shop on the harbour. Bass, mullet, flounders, etc can be caught. Local fishermen offer sea fishing trips. There is excellent shore fishing from the beach.

The adjoining Seaton beach is one of the cleanest in the area, which makes it ideal for lazing, bathing and a number of water sports, including canoeing, dinghy sailing, windsurfing, water skiing and yachting. Scuba diving is also popular, launching from the estuary slipways.

Lyme Bay is lucky in that it has some of the best wrecks in the South West within its waters. The bay is very large, stretching from Portland Bill in the East to Berry Head in the West. Most of the bay is gently shelving and less than 40 metres deep. This makes the diving suitable for most grades of diver where good sites at any required depth can be found. If you go 10 miles or more out there are plenty of deeper wrecks to appeal to the Teckies amongst you, while closer inshore there are several shallower reefs and wrecks for the less experienced diver.

Axmouth offers a range of accommodation, self catering, camping, Bed & Breakfast, Timber Cabins or Caravans, a place to stay that will suit every need.

Axmouth is an excellent base from where to visit other local towns and attractions. Seaton has a wide range of interesting shops which are great for browsing and shopping. There are also cafes, bars & licensed restaurants, and all types of accommodation.

Seaton museum can be found on the top floor of the Town Hall in Fore Street and is open Monday to Friday from 10.30a.m. to 12.30p.m. and 2.15p.m. to 5p.m., late May to October inclusive. Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted.

Britain's unique narrow gauge Seaton Tramway. The Tramway has served the communities of Seaton, Colyford and Colyton since 1970, although it's history stretches back to the 1940s.

The Donkey Sanctuary,Sidmouth

The Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth aims to prevent the suffering of donkeys worldwide through the provision of high quality, professional advice, training and support on donkey welfare. In the UK and Ireland permanent sanctuary is provided for any donkey in need of refuge.

Pecorama in Beer is a fascinating Indoor Exhibition of modelling in various popular scales, whilst the Gardens are home to the famous Beer Heights Light Railway. This 7¼-inch narrow gauge passenger-carrying line, powered by miniature steam and diesel locomotives, winds its mile-long way through tunnels, loops and cuttings giving wonderful views of Beer and Lyme Bay enroute.

Dinosaurland at Lyme Regis is broken down into four main parts. The FOSSIL MUSEUM displays a wonderful collection of the local Jurassic marine fossils. The GUIDED FOSSIL HUNTING WALKS take you out on to the beach with an expert to help you find your own fossils. The FOSSIL CLINIC will give you advice on your rocks and fossils. The FOSSIL SHOP sells fossils, minerals, books, jewellery and dinosaurs.
 


Local Towns:


Seaton  1 mile
Axminster  6 miles
Lyme Regis  6 miles
Budleigh Salterton  19 miles
Exeter  25 miles



Editor : Paul Chapman