Real, curated ideas for Seaton — the tramway, the wetlands, the Jurassic Coast beach and where to eat, filtered by who's actually with you.
Seaton's attraction is a narrow-gauge electric tramway running open-topped Victorian-style trams three miles up the Axe valley to Colyton. It is the best-reviewed attraction in east Devon by a distance, dogs travel, and the hop-on hop-off ticket turns it into a whole day rather than a ride.
Get off halfway at Seaton Wetlands. It is free, the parking is a £1 donation, the paths are level and wheelchair accessible, and there are bird hides and a sand martin bank that is genuinely something in late spring. They hire out all-terrain mobility scooters too.
The town itself has had a hard time — shop closures and not much investment, and reviewers say so plainly. The seafront, the tramway and the wetlands are what work here. Beer is five minutes west and Lyme Regis just over the border east.
Listings last checked: September 2026
Open-topped narrow-gauge trams running three miles up the Axe estuary to Colyton, every twenty minutes, with volunteer drivers giving a commentary. A round trip is under an hour; a day ticket lets you hop off at the wetlands and Colyford. Dogs travel for £2 each way, downstairs only.
The inland terminus, with free parking, a good café doing home-made cakes and scones, and clean facilities. Starting from this end and travelling into Seaton avoids the seafront parking charges entirely — worth knowing.
The depot where the trams are kept and restored, some of them over a century old, with depot tours and birdwatching specials on heritage days. A picnic spot right beside the Axe, where ospreys are occasionally seen fishing.
The pick of the seafront cafés — freshly cooked food, very good coffee, scones with jam and cream, and outdoor tables looking across the bay. Handles coeliac requirements properly. It is tight inside when busy, and the seagulls outside are bold.
At the far end of the esplanade towards Seaton Hole, with big views of the cliffs and a walk to get there that puts most people off — which is rather the point. Good breakfasts, milkshakes and a Baileys hot chocolate. Family friendly.
A converted cinema on Harbour Road doing breakfasts, a well-regarded Sunday lunch and live music, with apartments upstairs. Book for Sundays — it fills. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Historic pub on Queen Street with a genuinely friendly bar and a fair-value Sunday roast, though portions are on the small side. They will let you bring fish and chips in from up the road when the kitchen is off. Booking recommended.