East Devon offers residents a wealth of beautiful areas to explore. So why not follow this route to see what you can find at Seaton Wetlands?
Walk: Approx 2.5 miles.
Time: Take a picnic and binoculars and allow two to three hours to get the most out of your visit.
Terrain: Flat, mostly paved and boardwalk, one muddy section so walking boots/ wellies recommended.
What to take: Some cash for the Discovery Hut, open 10am to 4pm, Saturday to Monday, when hot drinks can be purchased, binoculars for bird watching. Seaton Wetlands is a no dog site (expect assistance dogs).
Car park: Seaton Wetlands car park can be accessed through Seaton Cemetery, Seaton Road. The nearest postcode is EX12 2SP. There is a donation post for car parking.
The walk: Explore Seaton Wetlands and enjoy beautiful marshland and reedbeds alongside the River Axe. The majority of Seaton Wetlands is accessible via wheelchair or pushchair, plan your visit at wildeastdevon.co.uk or contact the Countryside team to find out more about accessibility or hiring the off-road mobility scooter (Tramper).
Enter Seaton Wetlands from the car park and walk along the surfaced path. You will pass the Tower Hide, which looks over the River Axe, and the Island Hide on your right-hand-side, pop into these hides for up-close views of the birds.
At low tide, you can often spot a kingfisher from the Tower Hide (steps to access this hide). At night the resident barn owl takes its prey into the Island hide, look out for feeding remains and owl pellets in the hide!
Follow the main path along, passing the Sand Martin cliff and Discovery Hut on your right, and the Wildlife garden and Pond dipping shelter on your left.
Cross over the wooden bridge (still following the surfaced path) and follow the path until it splits. Take the right-hand turn and head towards Colyford Common. At the gate take the boardwalk path on your left. Follow the boardwalk as far as you can, to a viewing platform with views over the Tram line.
The Tram is a great way to see more of the area, why not book a ‘Bird Hide on Wheels’ trip and learn more about the birds found at Seaton Wetlands from the comfort of the Tram? Visit their website to find out more.
From the Colyford Common viewing platform, you can follow the signed ‘reedbed loop’ around the field and reedbed – this circular loop can be muddy, so wear your wellies!
Head back towards the centre of the wetlands using the same boardwalk you used to arrive. At the gate, rather than turning right (the way you came in) take the boardwalk to your left. Follow this path and head across the field to a gate. At the gate turn left and follow the boardwalk through the trees and over the Stafford Brook stream. You will come out by the Sand Martin cliff and the Discovery Hut.
The Discovery Hut is open from 10am to 4pm, Saturday to Monday, where you can learn more about Seaton Wetlands from the volunteers, hire pond dipping equipment and purchase refreshments (cash only).
Follow the East Devon District Council countryside team on social media @wildeastdevon
Visit wildeastdevon.co.uk or contact the team via email: countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk or phone: 01395 517557.
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