The demise of the tram has always seemed a crying shame to me, what with all that ripping up of infrastructure that went on into the mid-1950’s, until Blackpool was ‘last mans standing’, and then more as a tourist attraction than a serious attempt at running public transport. It seems even ... Read review
The New England Button Down casual shirt has an unstructured non-fused collar with ... more
button-down detail and a centre back box pleat with locker loop. With its casual fit and single breast pocket this shirt looks great worn with our chinos for the weekend.
This wild and woolly region has more than pasties and pitchfork-wielding farmers. There's ... more
sensual hot-stone therapy to be had in the spas of Bath sharks to be spotted off the Cornish coast and magnificent cheeses such as the Dorset Blue Vinny to mull over. Comprehensive coverage of outdoor activities Practical info on travelling sustainably throughout the region Get on the inside track with local interviews Accommodation recommendations and weekend breaks
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: Good half-day out Disadvantages: Open-top trams require fine weather
The demise of the tram has always seemed a crying shame to me, what with all that ripping up of infrastructure that went on into the mid-1950’s, until Blackpool was ‘last mans standing’, and then more as a tourist attraction than a serious attempt at running public transport. It seems even more ironic that we are now discovering the ‘green credentials’ of trams, and re-stuffing all that infrastructure back into the ground; well, in Manchester, Sheffield, ... ...pencilled in by Ken L too)!
The Seaton Tramway of which I write owes a lot to Eastbourne – yes I know it’s 100 miles along the coast in a different county, but the point is this. Eastbourne used to have a miniature tramway as a tourist attraction until pressures from road and housing developments caused its owners to look for another site. Enter the branch line closures of British Rail, in this case, the Seaton Junction to Seaton line ... more
The demise of the tram has always seemed a crying shame to me, what with all that ripping up of infrastructure that went on into the mid-1950’s, until Blackpool was ‘last mans standing’, and then more as a tourist attraction than a serious attempt at running public transport. It seems even more ironic that we are now discovering the ‘green credentials’ of trams, and re-stuffing all that infrastructure back into the ground; well, in Manchester, Sheffield, West Midlands and Croydon we have (more London routes are pencilled in by Ken L too)!
The Seaton Tramway of which I write owes a lot to Eastbourne – yes I know it’s 100 miles along the coast in a different county, but the point is this. Eastbourne used to have a miniature tramway as a tourist attraction until pressures from road and housing developments caused its owners to look for another site. Enter the branch line closures of British Rail, in this case, the Seaton Junction to Seaton line via Colyton and Colyford. I should point out that Seaton Junction is NOWHERE near Seaton, it was just the junction from the main line; in fact if it wasn’t the name of the village too, it would no doubt now be known as Seaton Parkway by now!
Please note: Nothing I write here is an endorsement for staying IN Seaton. I went there on a fine sunny day last Spring, and even then it managed to look extremely down-at-heel (sorry if you live there!). God knows what it'd look like when it's raining! It's Lyme Regis "sans hills, sans 'Cob', sans everything" to my mind.
Negotiations were made, and the Eastbourne Tramway ‘upped-sticks’, or in this case, 'upped sleepers', and moved in thirty lorry-loads to Seaton. They didn’t use the whole length of the branch line’s track-bed, choosing to start 3 miles to the north of Seaton in Colyton, and slightly deviating from the well-trodden path at the Seaton end in a ‘dog-leg’ skirting a very unprepossessing caravan site, that brings the main terminus into easier reach of the town-centre, right next to the main shopper’s car-park. Incidentally, if you park here to make a round-trip on the trams, make sure that you put enough into the meter for AT LEAST two hours.
The 1970 holiday season saw the first tram run on the ‘new’ track bed, albeit towing a battery truck behind it as they hadn’t got as far as erecting the overhead wires at that point*. To be fair, it had taken them only about a year in total to lay three miles of track at a newer gauge of 2’9” (9” inches wider than at Eastbourne), and get the first trams with widened axles up and running.
*Imagine the frustration of getting a tram for Christmas and then finding you need to wait till Boxing Day for Halfords to open so you can buy 50 car-batteries to run it!
THE ROUTE
As I said before, this runs south from Colyton to Seaton, in a more or less straight line. This does not mean that it’s boring. From Colyton through Colyford, you pass through green rolling pasture-land, wait at un-gated level crossings whilst the driver switches the warnings signs on, and, if you’re on the top deck of one of the double-deckers, you get to ‘sticky-beak’ into a lot of back gardens too! From here to the coast, you ride alongside the tidal Axe estuary with all its reed beds and mud-flats. Bird-watchers love it, and the Tramway Company even organise conducted tours with a bird expert on board. The open-top double-deckers are superb platforms for those with binoculars and telephoto lenses and the tram makes several extra stops at strategic viewing points. The line is mostly single track with plenty of passing places. Not all of these cause a tram to wait – it really depends on how frequent a schedule is running. The denser the traffic, the more passing places get waited in.
We rented a cottage on the edge of Colyton, and so rode the route south on a fresh Spring morning on the top-deck. It can get a ‘bit’ breezy up there, so take a pullover. Colyton is fairly easy to find once you locate the correct left turn off the A303 if coming from London. Access from the M5 would require you to turn off at the Taunton exit, and pick your way south through Chard and Axminster. Approaching from Exeter is easier, as you can travel the road to Axminster, subsequently following local signs to Axmouth or Seaton.
Note: The Tramway Company insist that you get off at the distant end, even if you are only going for the round trip. There’s nothing more annoying than have a top-deck load of smug bas****s up from Seaton, looking down on the ever-hopeful assembled populous queuing to get on at Colyton. This way, everyone gets a fair chance of sitting up top, which, let’s face it, is what you’ll most likely want to do on a fine day.
FARES
These are up to date for the 2004 holiday season.
Let’s just talk about return tickets shall we?
Adults £5.50, (Pension Concession £5.00) and Children £3.85
Unlimited day tickets for the enthusiast that wants to ride more than one kind of tram are also available. Adults Rover £8.25, (Pension Concession £7.45) and Children £5.80.
Family discounts of 10% apply to groups with a ‘two adults to one child ratio’.
The under-4s travel free as long as you are prepared to have them on your lap as the tram fills up with paying passengers. Some of the window sills are pretty high, so they'd probably need to be on your lap to see anything anyway.
Remember, some of these trams are replicas of old ones, so wheel-chair access is not marvellous. However, they actually have one tram equipped to take no less than 12 wheelchairs.
THE TRAMS
These are an eclectic bunch, some having been roughly half scale replicas of famous trams, like the open top single-deck Blackpool ‘Boat’, and the London ‘Feltham’. Then they also have trams from real standard gauge lines (but only single deckers for height reasons). These have been subject to a significant amount of butche......errrr....re-engineering. The ex-London single decker, for example had to be narrowed to make it stable enough to run on track 2 feet narrower than normal, and was subjected to having its whole top deck removed! It now has one row of seats where it previously had two. However, I guess most families will wait for an open-top ‘miniature’ double-decker. Tall adults will instinctively feel the need to duck as they walk along the top deck. That overhead wire seems rather close (Bigbaz please note) although, to be fair, it’s still out of reach.
The Seaton Terminus is probably your best bet for photographing trams, as the loop at the end of the line can frequently be seen with a clutch of trams standing on it, waiting their turn to go back out. The Colyton end is a much quieter affair, usually with only the one tram in the throes of being reversed, although it’s a better spot to snap a tram coming towards you. Best of all would be from one of the level crossings along the line, but that would involve using a car, which rather defeats the object of the exercise!
MORE INFORMATION
The Seaton & District Tramway Company, to give it its full name must have been a bit nifty with their web-site; they actually managed to secure www.tram.co.uk for their URL, which is a bit like the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch miniature line snaffling www.trains.co.uk.
From their web-site, you may book non-standard items, like half and whole day tram driving courses, bird watching trips and other group bookings possibly for ‘No.17’ which can carry wheelchairs and then of course the inevitable ‘Santa Specials’ that all ‘novelty’ lines seem obliged to run, (although any kid knows that the REAL Thomas wasn’t electric!).
Altogether now, in your best Ringo Starr voice – “Oh dear”, said Thomas, “whatever is ‘appeningere? The Fat Controller has plugged me into the mains!”
OTHER STUFF
A round trip on the Seaton Tramway would only really account for a half day. If you’re not actually staying in Seaton (and I'm pushed to think of a reason why you should!) and have detoured to travel this line, then there’s a fighting chance that you like most things that run on rails. Why not travel the short hop along the coast to Beer to visit the headquarters of Peco, the well-known model railway manufacturer. Their ‘Pecorama’ site is almost a theme park in a modest way, but just don’t expect any white knuckle rides (except for your wallet). In these landscaped gardens you’ll find all kinds of railway stuff, like a full sized Pullman car, many model railway layouts, some outdoors, and plenty of those ‘retail moments’ that us lads never seem to get elsewhere whilst on a family holiday, although the principle of waiting patiently outside gift shops and jewellers I’m well acquainted with!
That’s probably why I associate with dogs, even though we haven’t got one. I look down at the dog tied to the ice-cream placard and think, “you too, eh, mate?”
Advantages: Endless variety of things to do Disadvantages: Uncertain weather
...my mini break in Devon and not Skegness or Rhyl.
The Packing:
Make sure that you take clothing suitable for every type of weather. Unfortunately in England you are never sure what will happen. If you are staying in one of the holiday parks check first if they provide bed linen and if so do they charge. If you are travelling by car its easy to take your own. In self catering its a good idea to take a basics box with tea, coffee, sugar, milk, bread, ... ...the way. A30 for North Devon Other A roads lead all over the county. After this as long as you stick to major routes there are no difficulties, but beware of taking scenic routes among the numerous country lanes as there, signposting can be non existant and they can become very very narrow. I am not sure about public transport to get here but once here buses seem to be infrequent and expensive.
Accomodation;
Well you pay your money and you take ...
baeswoman 30.01.2005 (16.06.2005)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Devon (England)
Advantages: excellent accomodation, super food and beer, lovely location Disadvantages: none
...you would expect, the ubiquitous Devon clotted cream.
We both chose scampi and had very large glasses of an exceedingly tasty and aromatic red wine. We finished off with coffee. The meal was superb and cost us £20 including the drinks. The portions were very generous, too.
The restaurant was lovely. There were many paintings on the wall, which John was itching to go and look at, but there were people eating in front of most of them, so he couldn't. ... ...be accessed from the A38 Devon Expressway, from where it is signposted. If you want to combine it with a bit of shopping, Plymouth anmd Exeter are both about half an hour away.
I would thoroughly recommend this hotel for a night away or romantic weekend. Our total bill for one nights dinner, bed and breakfast, all drinks and a moring paper was £90. For a slightly more special night away we thought it was good value for money. After all, this was ...
water-witch 11.01.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Devon (England)
...half from Bideford in North Devon EX39. From London it is just 4hrs, M4 to Bristol then M5 south bound to junction 27,then follow the A361 all the way to the A39 (40 miles or so) then its just 9 miles to Westward Ho! My Dad has has lived there in this mostly quiet town for eight years, the air is clear (I have asthma and didnt once need my inhaler during our seven day stay) and the views are spectacular. The people are friendly, always aknowledging ... ...Park and the Royal North Devon Golf Course. Minature golf, Hockings Ice Cream Vans (the tastiest ice cream I have ever tasted).
Shopping in the small parades of shops, mostly tourist orientated as this is a very busy tourist town during the high season, a surf shop, Co-Op, restaurants such as Country Cousins, a Fish & Chip shop (can't remember the name)and a few pubs that serve food and smaller cafe's where you can buy burgers, fish n chips, pizza ...
chezbabe101 25.08.2008
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Devon (England)
Advantages: So much to see and do Disadvantages: Very crowded roads
...always wanted to go to Devon when I was little. I had seen pictures of thatched cottages with hay wagons passing along dusty country lanes. I had seen golden sands lapped by crystal clear water and fringed by palm trees. It seemed an awful long way to go though so it was some years before we ventured to pack our car with all required for a week's camping. Sure enough, it was a long way to go and the trip wasn't made any easier by roadworks on the ... ...An unusual tourist attraction in Devon is Dartmoor Prison. Actually it's a heritage centre a bit further up the road but was crammed full of the history of the jail. It showed some of the drugs and home made weapons found by officers over the years. There was a huge selection of goods made by the prisoners and for sale to anyone who wanted a different garden ornament. A good talking point with friends at your annual barbie. The scenery over Dartmoor ...
stitch99 27.07.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Devon (England)
Advantages: LOCATION Disadvantages: ACCOMODATION AND POOR VALUE FOR MONEY
Riviera Bay Holiday Camp, Brixham
We had a 3 night weekend break at this site last month, and I wish to warn anyone tempted to book a holiday there - the accomodation is just the pits and it really does spoil what should be a relaxing stay in a beautiful part of the country.
On the positive - The site overlooks St Mary's Bay, which is beautiful. The entertainment laid on, like bowling and a night club, looks reasonable. The staff at reception are ... ...variety of drinks and food, which looks eatable but relies very heavily on pork/bacon, so we didn't sample it. On the negative - apart from the chalets - the take away was expensive and staffed by very disinterested youngsters, and the resulting food was tastless and poor value. The shop is scruffy and very very hot in warm weather, so I am sure the 'fresh' food soon isn't.
It is the chalets that beggar belief. They are in long rows and make Hi ...
Zimmo 23.09.2008 (22.09.2008)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Devon (England)
Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Devon (England)"
Dartmoor located in DevonEngland is one of the most spectacular of the British national parks. It is easy to get to, as it is located just 30 minutes from the end of the M5 motorway. Accommodation can be in the form of small guesthouses and hotels to camping on and off campsites all around the moor.
The countryside is very baron but very scenic, the terrain is slightly hilly so can be hard going when walking distances on the moor but the scenery makes up for it. You can see natural Pete bogs on the moor as well as a vast array of wild flowers. Wildlife is extremely common on the moor; I have seen various birds of prey including the kestrel, lots of deer and wild horses.
Activities on the moor include walking, pony trekking, birdwatching, watersports and a whole host more. My particular visit included 1 week of hiking right ...
Advantages: Price, Modern, No Fuss Disadvantages: Limited dining options for sole traveller, limited reception support
Innkeeper's Lodge are a fairly large chain of lodge accommodation style hotels the length and breadth of Britain, from Perth in Scotland down to Plymouth in Devon, England.
Until last week, I have never stayed in the chain, but have now made two separate stays at the Slough/Windsor Inn during the last week or so. This Inn is located conveniently just off the M4 J5 and across London Road from the less attractive and undoubtedly more expensive Marriott Slough/Windsor.
Innkeeper's Lodge do not compete with full service three and four star hotels, and nor do they attempt to do. However they do line up nicely against the much larger Travelodge Chain, and other similar brands such as Holiday Inn Express, Premier Inn etc. In fact it was the fact that the Travelodge in Slough was fully booked that I was pointed to Innkeeper's in ...
Advantages: Unspoilt. Traditional. A Microcosm of England. Compact Disadvantages: Very few.
Dorset is I think one of the greatly under-rated counties of England. A lot of people going to the South West for their holidays target Devon and Cornwall - and both are delightful-but at best hurry through Dorset. Yet this county has a great deal to offer the visitor ranging from typically English,rustic,villages, to the sophistication of Bournemouth, the elegance of Poole, the delights of Georgian Weymouth,the beauty of the coastline and the joys of small towns such as Bridport, Dorchester and Lyme Regis.It is not only very compact but in many ways an almost perfect microcosm of England.
Literary buffs will find Dorset is no backwater for this is Hardy country and it was the home for part of his life of T.E.Lawrence.Dorset also has its place in agrarian history as the Tolpuddle Martyrs serve to remind us.
Celebrities are ...
ashford 21.10.2000 (16.08.2001)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Dorset (England)
