Seaton, Devon

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Map sources for Seaton, Devon at grid reference SY2490

Seaton is a seaside resort in Devon on the south coast of England. The town faces into Seaton Bay, and is to the west of the mouth of the River Axe. Nearby places include Axmouth and Beer.

It has a shingle beach stretching for about a mile and harbour, but is best known for its tramway, running inland to Colyton.

It stands at a unique point on the 95-mile Jurassic Coast of the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Coastline. From Seaton it is possible to see, walk to, or easily visit all three eras of rocks in this 185 million-year ‘geological walk through time’.A particularly spectacular and adventurous walk is eastwards through the landslip to Lyme Regis

1 History
2 Present
3 Gallery
4 External links

[edit] History

A farming community existed here 4000 years before the Romans arrived and there were iron age forts in the vicinity. During Roman times this was an important port although the town's roman remains have been reburied to preserve them. In Saxon times Seaton was know as Fluta or Fleet, the Saxon word for Creek. The town of Fleet was founded by Saxon Charter 1005 AD. The first mention of Seaton was in a Papal Bull by Pope Eugenius in 1146.

Seaton was an important port for several centuries, supplying ships and sailors for Edward I's wars against Scotland and France. In the 14th century heavy storms caused a landslip which partially blocked the estuary, and the shingle bank started to build up. In 1868 the arrival of the railway reduced the use of the harbour.Seaton was served by a branch line from Seaton Junction some 6 miles to the north on the London and South Western Railway main line from London Waterloo and Salisbury to Exeter For many years coaches were taken off the Exeter services and then taken down the branch line,giving a through service to London.The line closed in 1967,and part of the trackbed was used to construct the Seaton Tramway to Colyton which has become a major tourist attraction.

In the 19th century Seaton developed as a holiday resort and many of the town buildings are Victorian.

[edit] Present

It's resident population was 6,817 in 1996 but continues to grow. Politically, Seaton is a civil parish and town, in the district of East Devon.

Recently, the excellent bird-watching and wildlife areas of the Axe Vale have been enhanced by the establishment of the Seaton Marshes Local Nature Reserve with important work being carried out by the Axe Vale & District Conservation Society and it's 800 plus members.

It is twinned with Thury-Harcourt in France.