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
- 2.1 Night Life
3 Industry
4 Gallery
5 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 7,111 in 2004 with 3,304 homes within the parish of which approximately one third are of single person occupancy the majority of those are of pensionable age. Politically, Seaton is a civil parish and town, in the district of East Devon.

The area around Seaton is rich in wildlife. The agricultural landscape supports areas of ancient woodland (often with impressive displays of bluebells), important networks of hedges, unimproved grassland and springline mires. Around Beer there are still remnants of flower-rich chalk grassland, a rare habitat in Devon. The Axe Estuary dominates the centre of the area, with its associated areas of grazing marsh, and the River Axe itself is of international importance for its aquatic communities. To the east lies the Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs National Nature Reserve. This large area of coastal landslides and cliffs supports important woodland and grassland habitats and is of considerable significance for its geology, as witnessed by its inclusion in the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

These habitats support a wide range of species. For example, otters are present on the River Axe, and dormice are present throughout the area. To the west, near Beer, are man-made caves of importance for a diversity of hibernating bats, including the very rare Bechstein’s bat. The Axe Estuary and its marshes are important for wintering wildfowl and waders, such as curlew and redshank, while in the summer butterflies and dragonflies abound.

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.

The area to the east of the retail area to the River Axe (mainly floodplain) has been the subject of a comprehensive regeneration plan formulated in 2003. As of late 2006 only one of the developers involved has submitted a plan for the development of this area. This submission, which would result in the destruction of overnight tourism amongst other problems for the town, has indirectly led to the formation of an active campaign group of concerned Seaton residents under the banner of "Stand Up for Seaton" (see links). The group has taken to working with other voluntary resident groups to achieve a better deal for Seaton, given its surrounding habitat, location and real requirements regarding the community.

It is twinned with Thury-Harcourt in France.

[edit] Night Life

There are many pubs in seaton, these include Winstons, The Hook and Parrot, The Vault, and The Famous George. Seatons only nite club is the The Grove Niteclub but the smugglers bar is also popular with younger residents. Seaton has a lively night life, albeit mainly restricted to weekends. There is also The Seaton Town Social Club an operating CIU member.

[edit] Industry

Traditionally a tourist town, Seaton has been unable to develop a strong business identity and its position next to floodplains and hemmed in by hills on either side means expansion is difficult and has hampered growth of local employment opportunities. The Main Employers are tourism-based and to a large extent, seasonal.

Like many seaside areas around the UK the Town sports a host of shops catering to the tourist and whilst these have fared well in the past, the changing patterns of holidaymakers and visitors means the make-up of the retail zone is in the process of adapting to meet the local needs.