Between Dorchester And Exmouth Is A Laid-Back Coastal Town With Wetland Trails, Beaches, And Tasty Eats

England's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jurassic Coast is a place of prehistoric natural remnants over 185 million years old. One of the best ways to experience this dramatic coastal area is by basing yourself in one of its seaside towns. Seaton, renowned for its scenery and nearby nature reserves, is an inviting option only 20 miles east of Exmouth and 33 miles west of Dorchester. Seaton has been inhabited for over 6,000 years and retains remnants from the various periods leading up to its establishment as a seaside vacation destination in the 1930s. While it remains a small town with around 7,500 residents, it hasn't lost its vacation appeal.

Beach days progress relatively slowly here, where the pebble shorelines and calm Lyme Bay waters complement the lack of crowds. For some, this relaxed atmosphere can become a bore. As one visitor on the r/DevonUK subreddit claimed, "It's perhaps a little tired and probably relies on retirees too much." However, that same person insisted Seaton "is always friendly and has things going on that really ought to attract more people to visit" while also raving about its "beautiful countryside." No place has everything, so it's best to visit Seaton if you're willing to embrace what it does have.

Of that, there seems to be plenty. The nearby Seaton Wetlands provide three different nature reserves to explore. The town's main beach is also a picturesque spot with dramatic white Jurassic Coast cliffs, a wide promenade, and good water for swimming and paddling. And what would an English seaside town be without its esplanade and adjacent cafes, restaurants, and ice cream parlors? Seaton has all this and more for vacationers.

Seaton Wetlands are a five-minute drive from the town's seafront, located beside the River Axe. Its three nature reserves are accessible via 2.5 miles of trails. The wetlands have earned multiple Green Flag Awards, highlighting their high standard of recreational outdoor areas. The wildlife haven provides homes for various birds, easily spotted from five bird hides or along the wheelchair-accessible paths and boardwalk. Black Hole Marsh attracts ducks, kingfishers, and oystercatchers. Colyford Common, meanwhile, often has egrets, shelducks, and wheatears. You can follow different walking routes around the wetlands, including a circular route around reedbeds and a viewing area. Pack lunch and picnic in Stafford Marsh or grab snacks and drinks at the Discovery Hut.

Going from the wetlands to the beach, you trade reeds and estuaries for pebbles, serene water, and white, forested cliffs. Seaton Beach is a highly rated spot known for its stunning coastal scenery and range of activities. Visitors can enjoy the usual beach fun, including swimming, sunbathing, reading, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. You can also mix it up with some more unique experiences, such as fossil hunting in the nearby cliffs and hiking part of the South West Coast Path for views across the English Channel.

The coast path also leads you to other nearby beaches. The smaller Seaton Hole Beach is about a 20-minute walk away. This is a rockier and more intimate beach, where people enjoy searching for small sea creatures and shells in tidal rock pools. If you fancy going further afield, drive one hour to Teignmouth for fresh seafood and more beaches.

You'll find a varied collection of dining and drinking establishments in Seaton. Seafood is a given here, but it's more the takeaway fish-and-chips variety than fine dining. Seaton's Fish Bar has 4.5 stars on Google Maps. One diner recommended getting "there earlier to avoid the queue" in a review. If you want finer seafood dishes, book a table at Le Pisani. The Mediterranean restaurant uses fresh ingredients to create specials like red prawn ravioli, monkfish cheeks, and pan-fried scallops. You can also branch out to other cuisines, such as Bangladeshi at Ragini. The family-run restaurant serves authentic dishes, including signature curries.

If you're looking for somewhere to drink before or after dinner, head to The Malt House, which claims to be the oldest pub in town. It has a decent selection of cask ales, plus international wines and liquor. The inside is also cozy with low ceilings, exposed timber beams, and lounge seating tucked away in corners. Pop inside for bingo, live music, and karaoke on different nights during the week.

You can drive to Seaton in under an hour from Exeter, or the bus takes about 90 minutes. It's also about a two-hour drive south of the vibrant, artsy city of Bristol. Accommodation in Seaton ranges from luxury beachfront hotels along the Esplanade to more budget-friendly options one street back along Harbour Road. If you fancy staying right on the water, expect to pay upwards of $200 a night. Those wanting to combine English seaside and countryside might want to also visit Taunton. This charming Devon town has markets and nature getaways within an hour's drive of Seaton.