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Narrow-gauge tramway
Seaton Tramway
Three-mile electric tramway between Seaton, Colyford and Colyton alongside the Axe estuary and River Coly.
A mini guide to
Seaton, Beer & Sidmouth
Chalk cliffs, a fishing cove, a seaside tramway and a Regency-era resort
Photos
1 / 6Welcome to the area
Chalk cliffs, a fishing cove, a seaside tramway and a Regency-era resort
The East Devon end of the Jurassic Coast begins with Seaton, a seaside town and fishing harbour between Axmouth and Beer, facing Lyme Bay. Seaton Tramway runs along the Axe estuary, and Wikipedia says Seaton lies on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Beer is a seaside village a little over a mile west of Seaton, with a pebble beach and cliffs that form part of the South West Coast Path; Beer Quarry Caves are about a mile to the west. Branscombe is a village in the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Further west, Sidmouth is a town and resort described by Wikipedia as a gateway to the Jurassic Coast.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Beach
Seaton Beach
Mile of mostly shingle beach backed by a sea wall at Seaton on Lyme Bay.
Nature reserve
Seaton Wetlands
Nature reserve on the Axe estuary behind Seaton.
Underground quarries
Beer Quarry Caves
Man-made limestone caves where Beer stone has been quarried for about 2,000 years.
Beach
Beer Beach
Pebble beach in a cove below chalk cliffs at Beer, where fishing boats are drawn up on the shingle.
Headland
Beer Head
Headland west of Beer on the South West Coast Path, with cliffs above Lyme Bay.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Seaton, Beer & Sidmouth and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Check the season
Beer Quarry Caves say on their site that they are open every day until Saturday 31 October 2026, and its tours are limited, so booking is advised. Other attractions also shorten their season; check each website.
2
Beer’s beach is shingle
Take care on steep shingle and near the sea, and follow the general advice from Visit Dorset: avoid cliff bases and watch the weather. Check current advice before fossil hunting or walking below cliffs.
3
Take the tram
Seaton Tramway runs along the Axe estuary and the River Coly to Colyton, according to Wikipedia, so you can see the wetlands without a car.
4
Walk between villages
Beer, Branscombe and Seaton are all on the South West Coast Path, so you can walk a section and return by bus. Check the bus timetable before you set off.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Seaton, Beer & Sidmouth (area photo): michael cooper, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Seaton Tramway: Wusel007, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Seaton Beach: Lewis Clarke, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Seaton Wetlands: Christine Johnstone, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Beer Quarry Caves: Lewis Clarke, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Beer Beach: don cload, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Beer Head: Chris Andrews, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Branscombe Beach: grumpylumixuser, CC BY 3.0, source
- Branscombe Old Bakery and Manor Mill: Chris Gunns, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Axmouth Harbour: David Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Sidmouth Museum: Simon Cobb, CC0, source
- Connaught Gardens: Mr Eugene Birchall, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Sidmouth Beach: David Dixon, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Swanage, Studland & Purbeck: Bob Harvey, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door & Wareham: Brian Deegan, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Weymouth & Portland: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 4.0, source
- Bridport & West Bay: Martinvl, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Lyme Regis & Charmouth: Martinvl, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring the Jurassic Coast