DIRECTIONS
From The Crown public house roundabout at Bridport on A35 trunk road, take B3157 towards Burton Bradstock and Abbotsbury. Follow for 2m. On entering Burton Bradstock village take first right turn into site
Places to Visit
Bridport a historic market town is only 9 miles from the site. The street markets run on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and the Farmer’s market is held monthly in the Arts Centre.
Nearby is the market town of Axminster, which gave its name to a type of carpet, which is now manufactured all over the world. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, a British celebrity chef and television personality has his River Cottage HQ nearby and one of his River cottage canteen/shops is located in the town. (EX13 5AN)
Lyme Regis, a local seaside town where many of the great fossil discoveries from the age of dinosaurs have been made.
Lyme Regis Museum (DT7 3QA) - Discover more at: www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk or telephone: 01297 443370.
High on the hill overlooking Beer and Lyme Bay is the celebrated Pecorama gardens, Beer Heights Light Railway and indoor model railway exhibition.
These beautiful gardens are landscaped in various themes including a ruined tower upon which is set the Roof Garden. The Moat Garden waters drop down over granite boulders before flowing into the multi-coloured flowerbeds of the Rainbow Garden. The Moon Garden is planted with silvery foliage and blue flowers contrasting with the neighbouring golden yellow, flower-filled Sun Garden
At Seaton, like all of the coastal towns on this section of the Jurassic Coast east of Exmouth, the beach is shingle, a mile long arc of pebbles the shape of which changes with every tide. Sometimes piled high with pebbles sometimes flat and sandy the pebbles having disappeared eastward swept away by the tide.
At the top of the beach is the 1100 metre long Esplanade walk, flat and easily accessed. The two main shopping streets of the Town Centre can be seen from the sea front and are reached by crossing over at Fisherman's Gap in the centre of the Esplanade.
There are three Local Nature Reserves, Seaton Marshes, Colyford Common and Black Hole Marsh all of which are owned and managed by East Devon District Council. These are on the west side of the estuary and are a rich mosaic of saltmarsh and freshwater grazing marsh, ponds, reed bed, ditches and saline lagoons that are important for wintering wildfowl and waders, such as curlew and redshank, while in the summer butterflies and dragonflies abound.
The wildlife can be observed from purpose built bird watching or, for those who prefer it, a ride on one of Seaton Tramways open top narrow gauge heritage trams. The 3 mile long track runs alongside the River Axe estuary through the Seaton Marsh and Colyford Common Local Nature Reserves.
Palmers Brewery – the only thatched brewery in the UK - Bridport (DT6 4JA)
Guided tours start at 11.00 am on every weekday (excluding bank holidays) and last for two hours. These specialist tours are very popular and pre-booking is essential.
They take you behind the scenes in the historic brewery buildings, to watch every stage of the centuries-old brewing process. The tour ends with a beer tasting (or a soft drink) in Palmers Wine Store, where you will receive a commemorative glass tankard.
Tours are £8.50 per person when booked in advance through palmerswinestore.com (or call 01308 427500) and £10 if you just turn up on the day. By booking four or more adult tickets you will receive a discounted rate of £8 per person. (13-17 year olds are £7, sorry no under 13 year olds)
To find out more: http://www.palmerswinestore.com/brewery-tours/
Donkey Sanctuary Near Sidmouth (EX10 0NU)
There are no commercial attractions - just gently rolling countryside with walks around the fields where you can meet the donkeys, who adore the fuss and attention received from visitors
The Sanctuary is open 365 days a year from 9.00 am to dusk with free admission and parking.
For more info: http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/
National Trust
Loughwood Meeting House – a 17th-century thatched Baptist meeting house. One of the earliest surviving Baptist churches in the country. Founded in secret during a time of great persecution towards non-conformists, this beautiful chapel is set into the hillside and looks out over the rolling east Devon countryside with views of the Axe Valley.
Step through the front door to travel back in time and explore this place of worship which has remained virtually unchanged since the 18th century.
Musbury Hill Fort - A mysterious hill fort overlooking the beautiful village of Musbury. Explore the ancient ramparts or take the nearby footpaths that criss-cross the whole area (EX13)
Shute Barton - a medieval house with royal connections. A building of battlements and is only open to members of the public four times a year for guided tours. (One of those is 17th & 18th May 2014 11:00 – 15:45) You can discover the great kitchen containing what is believed to be the largest fireplace in England and take a look at the attic room with its medieval roof structure. (EX13 7PT)
