Belinda’s guidebook

Belinda
Belinda’s guidebook

Sightseeing

The tram goes from Colyton's old station to Seaton, along the beautiful Axe Valley and via Colyford and the Seaton Wetlands Nature Reserve. Fun for all the family and great for bird and wildlife watchers.
74 locals recommend
Seaton Tramway
Harbour Road
74 locals recommend
The tram goes from Colyton's old station to Seaton, along the beautiful Axe Valley and via Colyford and the Seaton Wetlands Nature Reserve. Fun for all the family and great for bird and wildlife watchers.
Iron Age hillfort near Southleigh, Colyton, a popular spot for picnics and fabulous at bluebell time! Just down the road, is family run Blackbury Honey Farm, where you can buy their own bee's honey and enjoy a tea or coffee.
12 locals recommend
Blackbury Camp
12 locals recommend
Iron Age hillfort near Southleigh, Colyton, a popular spot for picnics and fabulous at bluebell time! Just down the road, is family run Blackbury Honey Farm, where you can buy their own bee's honey and enjoy a tea or coffee.
Sir David Attenborough said, "A remarkable museum, a gem". Built on the site of Mary Anning's home, Lyme Regis Museum stands in the heart of the town, with stunning sea views from the new Mary Anning Wing. Displays showcase a world class fossil collection as well as featuring the towns colourful history.
40 locals recommend
Lyme Regis Philpot Museum
Bridge Street
40 locals recommend
Sir David Attenborough said, "A remarkable museum, a gem". Built on the site of Mary Anning's home, Lyme Regis Museum stands in the heart of the town, with stunning sea views from the new Mary Anning Wing. Displays showcase a world class fossil collection as well as featuring the towns colourful history.
Explore Seaton Wetlands and enjoy beautiful marshland and reedbeds alongside the River Axe. Birdwatch from any of the five bird hides. New tram stop at the wetlands this year.
36 locals recommend
Seaton Wetlands Nature Reserve
Colyford Road
36 locals recommend
Explore Seaton Wetlands and enjoy beautiful marshland and reedbeds alongside the River Axe. Birdwatch from any of the five bird hides. New tram stop at the wetlands this year.

Gardens

Dalwood, near Axminster. Beautifully landscaped gardens extending to nearly 13 acres with superb views of the surrounding countryside. Enjoy morning coffee, light refreshments and homemade cream teas from the tea room.
12 locals recommend
Burrow Farm Gardens
Old Taunton Road
12 locals recommend
Dalwood, near Axminster. Beautifully landscaped gardens extending to nearly 13 acres with superb views of the surrounding countryside. Enjoy morning coffee, light refreshments and homemade cream teas from the tea room.
Once described as "...the most perfect monastery in England", Forde Abbey, near Chard, was built almost 900 years ago by Cistercian monks. The beautiful 30 acre gardens have something of interest all year round.
60 locals recommend
Forde Abbey House and Gardens
60 locals recommend
Once described as "...the most perfect monastery in England", Forde Abbey, near Chard, was built almost 900 years ago by Cistercian monks. The beautiful 30 acre gardens have something of interest all year round.
Near Budleigh Salterton. Wonderful gardens and hothouses, Woodland Railway, miniature village and adventure playground, so, fun for adults and children alike!
60 locals recommend
Bicton Park Botanical Gardens
60 locals recommend
Near Budleigh Salterton. Wonderful gardens and hothouses, Woodland Railway, miniature village and adventure playground, so, fun for adults and children alike!
Glorious sandstone manor house and romantic valley garden, deep in a lost Dorset combe, among tumbling hills and unspoiled countryside. 5 minutes east of Beaminster
37 locals recommend
Mapperton House & Gardens
37 locals recommend
Glorious sandstone manor house and romantic valley garden, deep in a lost Dorset combe, among tumbling hills and unspoiled countryside. 5 minutes east of Beaminster
A unique combination of three centuries of garden design: Coplestone Warre Bampfylde's Georgian landscape garden, the Victorian terrace and shrubbery and the stunning Edwardian formal garden design by Sir Edward Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll. Near Taunton.
87 locals recommend
Hestercombe Gardens
87 locals recommend
A unique combination of three centuries of garden design: Coplestone Warre Bampfylde's Georgian landscape garden, the Victorian terrace and shrubbery and the stunning Edwardian formal garden design by Sir Edward Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll. Near Taunton.

Food scene

Cafe on the western end of Seaton Esplanade, Enjoy sitting by the sea and watching the world go by!
15 locals recommend
The Hideaway
West Walk
15 locals recommend
Cafe on the western end of Seaton Esplanade, Enjoy sitting by the sea and watching the world go by!
Is in Lyme Regis, as well as selling proper bread you can sit at trestle tables in the bakery and order a delicious home made lunch, very friendly and informal.
15 locals recommend
Town Mill Bakery
Coombe Street
15 locals recommend
Is in Lyme Regis, as well as selling proper bread you can sit at trestle tables in the bakery and order a delicious home made lunch, very friendly and informal.
Beautiful setting near Gittisham, lunch in the Orangery is a fun experience and you don't have to book.
60 locals recommend
The Pig - at Combe
60 locals recommend
Beautiful setting near Gittisham, lunch in the Orangery is a fun experience and you don't have to book.
At the bottom of the hill in Lyme Regis, sea views, relaxed, locally sourced menu, child and dog friendly.
23 locals recommend
The Lyme Bay
8-10 Bridge St
23 locals recommend
At the bottom of the hill in Lyme Regis, sea views, relaxed, locally sourced menu, child and dog friendly.
On the road between Axminster and Chard. Delicious food, lovely ambience.
29 locals recommend
The Tytherleigh Arms
29 locals recommend
On the road between Axminster and Chard. Delicious food, lovely ambience.
Favourite pub near Branscombe, especially out of season and with the fire going! Cosy and old fashioned.
28 locals recommend
The Fountain Head
28 locals recommend
Favourite pub near Branscombe, especially out of season and with the fire going! Cosy and old fashioned.
Lovely thatched pub and restaurant in Branscombe.
25 locals recommend
Masons Arms, Branscombe
3 Myrtle Cottages
25 locals recommend
Lovely thatched pub and restaurant in Branscombe.
Lively pub in Colyton, good pub grub!
The Kingfisher
Dolphin Street
Lively pub in Colyton, good pub grub!
Charming cafe in Honiton with small rear garden.
11 locals recommend
Toast
155 High St
11 locals recommend
Charming cafe in Honiton with small rear garden.
Great place for coffee by the river in Colyton!
Finn Coffee
Station Road
Great place for coffee by the river in Colyton!
Recently opened in Colyton, run by Tristan and Henry. Bar and tapas, weekends after 5.30
1 Silver St
1 Silver Street
Recently opened in Colyton, run by Tristan and Henry. Bar and tapas, weekends after 5.30
Highly rated local restaurant, visit their website for bookings.
Glebe House
Highly rated local restaurant, visit their website for bookings.
Delicious sourdough toasties on the seafront in Lyme
Kiosk
Delicious sourdough toasties on the seafront in Lyme
River Cottage Kitchen & Store on Trinity Hill overlooking the Axe Valley is a lovely place to drop in for breakfast, lunch, drinks and cakes
68 locals recommend
River Cottage
Trinity Hill Road
68 locals recommend
River Cottage Kitchen & Store on Trinity Hill overlooking the Axe Valley is a lovely place to drop in for breakfast, lunch, drinks and cakes

Neighbourhood

Bustling seaside town famous for the Cobb and great for fossil hunting.
326 locals recommend
Lyme Regis
326 locals recommend
Bustling seaside town famous for the Cobb and great for fossil hunting.
Elegant Regency seaside town with many independent shops, pubs and cafes. Sandy beach at the western end at Jacob's ladder by Connought Gardens.
105 locals recommend
Sidmouth
105 locals recommend
Elegant Regency seaside town with many independent shops, pubs and cafes. Sandy beach at the western end at Jacob's ladder by Connought Gardens.
Pretty fishing village, deckchairs and cafes on the beach. Buy fish straight from the sea in the fishermans hut on the slipway. Relax with a pint overlooking the sea.
93 locals recommend
Beer
93 locals recommend
Pretty fishing village, deckchairs and cafes on the beach. Buy fish straight from the sea in the fishermans hut on the slipway. Relax with a pint overlooking the sea.
Known as the longest village in England it has a very long pebbly unspoilt beach with lovely cafe next to the car park. Masons Arms and Fountains Head also for food and drink. Good bracing walks on the Coast Path to Beer or Salcombe Regis
44 locals recommend
Branscombe
44 locals recommend
Known as the longest village in England it has a very long pebbly unspoilt beach with lovely cafe next to the car park. Masons Arms and Fountains Head also for food and drink. Good bracing walks on the Coast Path to Beer or Salcombe Regis
Bustling market town set in glorious Dorset countryside. Many lovely independent shops including the famous Snooks hat shop. Antiquarian bookshops and lots of pubs, restaurants and cafes. Symondsbury Estate just outside Bridport, also well worth a visit.
154 locals recommend
Bridport
154 locals recommend
Bustling market town set in glorious Dorset countryside. Many lovely independent shops including the famous Snooks hat shop. Antiquarian bookshops and lots of pubs, restaurants and cafes. Symondsbury Estate just outside Bridport, also well worth a visit.
Devon and Somerset's fabulous moor with it's deep valleys and hidden villages. Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway on the north coast, Valley of the Rocks, Doone Valley, Tarr Steps and Exmoor ponies only a small selection of things to see there!
69 locals recommend
Exmoor
69 locals recommend
Devon and Somerset's fabulous moor with it's deep valleys and hidden villages. Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway on the north coast, Valley of the Rocks, Doone Valley, Tarr Steps and Exmoor ponies only a small selection of things to see there!
Wild mid-Devon moorland, Dartmoor is famous for it's Tors, wild ponies and Dartmoor Prison!
18 locals recommend
Dartmeet
18 locals recommend
Wild mid-Devon moorland, Dartmoor is famous for it's Tors, wild ponies and Dartmoor Prison!
Excellent for fossiling, sandy beach and fossil shop.
61 locals recommend
Charmouth
61 locals recommend
Excellent for fossiling, sandy beach and fossil shop.

Good for Children

Open every day, free entry and parking. A great day out, good cafe, gardens, playgrounds and above all, lots of donkeys!
80 locals recommend
The Donkey Sanctuary
80 locals recommend
Open every day, free entry and parking. A great day out, good cafe, gardens, playgrounds and above all, lots of donkeys!
Family run wildlife park just outside Axminster, many different and exotic animals, reptiles and birds. Playgrounds and snacks.
40 locals recommend
Axe Valley Wildlife Park
40 locals recommend
Family run wildlife park just outside Axminster, many different and exotic animals, reptiles and birds. Playgrounds and snacks.
Highly recommended day out. Miniature steam railway, glorious gardens, playgrounds and cafe, all with stunning views over the sea.
68 locals recommend
Pecorama
Underleys
68 locals recommend
Highly recommended day out. Miniature steam railway, glorious gardens, playgrounds and cafe, all with stunning views over the sea.
On the coast road (A3052) to Exeter. Fun whatever the weather.
175 locals recommend
Crealy Theme Park & Resort
Sidmouth Road
175 locals recommend
On the coast road (A3052) to Exeter. Fun whatever the weather.
Fun family day out, animals and birds of prey, Saxon Village, maze, zipline amongst other things.
23 locals recommend
Wildwood Escot
23 locals recommend
Fun family day out, animals and birds of prey, Saxon Village, maze, zipline amongst other things.
Awesome muddy fun for all the family! Assault course and obstacles, wear old clothes and bring a towel! Bear Cave cafe serving wood-fired pizzas, drinks etc
26 locals recommend
The Bear Trail
26 locals recommend
Awesome muddy fun for all the family! Assault course and obstacles, wear old clothes and bring a towel! Bear Cave cafe serving wood-fired pizzas, drinks etc