The historic market town of Axminster is famous for its carpets, first made in 1755.
A Town Trail leaflet is available from the Heritage Centre.
Axminster is a convenient transport hub with buses from the station forecourt to places on the nearby Jurassic Coast
including Seaton, Lyme Regis and Charmouth.
TI Heritage Centre, tel. 01297 34386.
Axminster Heritage Centre tells the story of the town including the local carpet and brush industries.
Temporary exhibitions programme.
Open TTh 1000-1600, Sat 1000-1300.
www.axminsterheritage.org
A small and child-friendly zoo mostly aimed at children under 12 years old.
Café and picnic area.
Open TWThFSSu from 1000, closing time varies.
www.axevalleypark.co.uk
The narrow-gauge electric tramway from Colyton to Seaton (see below) follows the route of the
original railway to Seaton which closed in 1966. The 25 minute journey passes beside the River Axe for much of the way.
Restaurant at Colyton.
Open Apr-Oct, trams daily, see website for times and other dates.
www.tram.co.uk
Bus 885 from Axminster station forecourt to near Colyton Tramway Station (¼ mile walk).
Beware the tramway is poorly signposted and there are no bus stops - after Whitford watch for a Victorian lamp post at the
road junction. 13 minutes journey, M-S every 1-2 hours.
Operated by Axe Valley Mini Travel.
Seaton is a seaside town and fishing harbour with a shingle beach.
It is at the heart of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site which stretches from Exmouth to Swanage.
Bus 885 from Axminster station forecourt to Seaton Marine Place, 29 minutes journey, M-S every 1-2 hours.
Operated by Axe Valley Mini Travel.
You can also travel on the Seaton Tramway from Colyton.
Visitors to Seaton Jurassic take a journey through 4.6 billion years of Seaton's history. Café.
Open closed until further notice.
www.seatonjurassic.org
Bus see Seaton above.
Displays cover the history, archaeology, geology and natural history of the lower Axe Valley. Admission free.
Open Jun-Sep, M-F 1030-1230, 1415-1700.
www.devonmuseums.net
Bus see Seaton above.
A freshwater grazing marsh with a bird watching hide. The reserve attracts wildfowl and wading birds,
plus dragonflies and butterflies in summer. Admission free.
Open at all times.
Bus see Seaton above, then ¾ mile walk.
Home of PECO the manufacturer of model railway track and accessories, the site includes the Beer Heights Light Railway
with miniature steam locomotives, gardens and play areas. Model Railway Exhibition with detailed layouts in various gauges.
Restaurant and café.
Open Apr-Oct, TWThFS 1000-1600.
www.pecorama.co.uk
Bus 885 from Axminster station forecourt to opposite entrance turning (on right),
watch for the Pecorama signpost shortly after Beer village centre, there's no marked stop.
44 minutes journey, M-S infrequent but suitable for visiting, extra journeys return from Beer village centre (½ mile downhill).
Operated by Axe Valley Mini Travel.
Lyme Regis has been popular as a seaside resort since the 18th century. Georgian houses line the steep main
street down to the harbour. The old harbour ½ mile to the west of the town is known as the Cobb.
The Lifeboat Station is on the Cobb and usually open to visit daily.
The area is rich in fossils and Lyme Regis is at the heart of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site
which stretches from Exmouth to Swanage.
TI Church Street, tel. 01297 442138.
www.visit-dorset.com/lyme-regis
Bus X51/X53 from Axminster station forecourt to Lyme Regis Post Office, about 25 minutes journey.
M-S hourly, Sun & BH infrequent. Operated by First.
Buses also operate from Dorchester and Weymouth.
Guided tours of the restored working watermill. Other buildings house craft studios and galleries.
Garden. Café.
Open Daily, see website for times.
www.townmill.org.uk
Bus see Lyme Regis above.
Lyme Regis Museum is built on the site the home of Mary Anning who made some of the most significant
geological finds of all time. The museum displays a spectacular collection of fossils and it is a good place to learn about them.
Displays also cover Lyme's history, geology and literary associations. Great sea views.
Open Apr-Oct, TWThFSSu 1000-1700 (1600 Sun).
www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk
Bus see Lyme Regis above.
A traditional museum with a collection of local Jurassic marine fossils housed in a converted church.
Also shells and skeletons.
Open Mar-Oct, Daily 1000-1600.
www.dinosaurland.co.uk
Bus see Lyme Regis above.
A variety of local fish and other marine life on display. Nautical items. History of the Cobb.
Open Mar-Oct, Daily 1000-1630. Please see website for winter opening.
www.lymeregismarineaquarium.co.uk
Bus see Lyme Regis above.
Charmouth is a traditional seaside village with a large shingle beach (½ mile from bus stop).
Charmouth is at the heart of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and a great place to look for fossils.
www.charmouth.org
Bus X51/X53 from Axminster station forecourt to Charmouth, opposite Church, 35-40 minutes journey.
M-S hourly, Sun & BH infrequent. Operated by First.
Buses also operate from Dorchester and Weymouth.
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre has impressive fossil collections and you can find out how to discover
your own fossils on the beach. Guided fossil hunting and rockpool exploring walks are available. Admission free.
Open please see website.
www.charmouth.org
Bus see Charmouth above.
Golden Cap is a high flat-topped hill of orange sandstone on the Dorset coast. Its summit at 627 feet (191 m)
is the highest point on the south coast with spectacular views east to Portland Bill, west to Start Point (in Devon) and inland to Dartmoor -
well worth the effort of the uphill walk!
Nearby Langdon Hill woodland is part of the extensive Golden Cap estate, there's a 1½ miles circular walk around
the wood with great views of the surrounding countryside including Golden Cap. Bluebells can be seen in spring.
Open at all times.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/golden-cap
Bus X51/X53 from Axminster station forecourt to Chideock, Bridge, then 1½ miles walk.
45-55 minutes journey. M-S hourly, Sun & BH infrequent. Operated by First.
Buses also operate from Dorchester and Weymouth.
Bridport is a historic rope and net making town, it's port is at West Bay, 1½ miles south at the mouth of the River Brit.
TI South Street, tel. 01308 424901.
www.bridportandwestbay.co.uk
Bus X51/X53 from Axminster station forecourt to Bridport Bus Station, 55-65 minutes journey.
M-S hourly, Sun & BH infrequent. Operated by First.
Buses also operate from Dorchester and Weymouth.
Housed in one of Bridport's oldest buildings the Museum covers the history of the town and local area including
the Jurassic Coast. Rope and netting collection with working machinery. Fossils. Events and exhibitions programme. Admission free.
Open Apr-Oct, M-S 1000-1600. Nov-Mar, see website.
www.bridportmuseum.co.uk
Bus see Bridport above.
Abbotsbury is a very old village with picturesque stone buildings including thatched cottages. Little remains of the ancient Abbotsbury Abbey except an archway which can be seen just south of the church. Abbotsbury is a 1¼ miles inland from Chesil Beach which can be reached by following the South West Coast Path.
Bus X53 from Axminster station forecourt to Abbotsbury, Ilchester Arms. 90-115 minutes journey. M-S 2-hourly, Sun & BH infrequent. In summer also X51 to Bridport then change to X52. Operated by First. Buses also operate from Weymouth.
On a hill overlooking Abbotsbury and its Abbey, St Catherine's Chapel was built by monks in
the 14th century as a place of pilgrimage and retreat. There are spectacular views of Chesil Beach below. Admission free.
Open any reasonable time.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Bus to Abbotsbury, Ilchester Arms (see above) then ½ mile (uphill).
Abbotsbury Swannery is home to the only managed colony of free-flying mute swans in the world.
Nesting and hatching take place from late May into June and this is a particularly good time to visit.
Visitors can help hand feed the swans. Café.
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1700
www.abbotsburyswannery.co.uk
Bus to Abbotsbury, Ilchester Arms (see above) then ¾ mile.
A magnificent Victorian walled garden in a woodland valley with a micro climate that allows rare
and exotic plants to thrive. Nature trail and adventure play area. Teahouse.
Open Daily 1000-1700 (1600 Nov-Mar).
www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk
Bus to Abbotsbury, West Street (just beyond village), then ½ mile.
The Subtropical Gardens are 1 mile from the Ilchester Arms at the centre of Abbotsbury.
