The coastal town is a hidden gem (Image: Getty Images)
The Jurassic Coast is a haven for sun-seekers, but amid its seaside splendours is a gem often missed by holiday-goers. Sandwiched between the busier beaches of Sidmouth and Lyme Regis and jostling with the quaintness of Beer, Seaton in Devon, holds its own quietly captivating charm.
Coastal Craft Collective is one of the town’s beloved independent shops, where Victoria Moorey says: “People bypass us because they don’t know that we’re even here. “Sidmouth’s on the map, Lyme’s on the map and nobody knows about little Seaton in the middle. It is a hidden gem. We’re all independent businesses, we’ve got so much that goes on.”
READ MORE: Huge boost to famous UK seaside resort as iconic venue to reopen ‘by summer’
Seaton beach is popular on a hot day (Image: Mary Stenson/DevonLive)
Victoria continued: “We get accused of being a tiny town but that’s the thing, we are a small town with a huge beach, a great community and a big heart.”
On a hot day, despite its peddle-lined shore, the beach is thrummed with sunseekers as well as paddleboarders and other enjoying the weather, reports Devon Live.
In Victoria’s opinion, Seaton’s relatively low profile as a seaside town has turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Although she welcomes further investment, she says the town has largely avoided the influx of second-home owners, resulting in a more stable local economy throughout the year.
Victoria said: “It’s a working town with visitors. It’s nice and quiet but gets busier in the summer. We’re not a town that closes down. We stay open all year round. We’re not subject to loads of second homeowners like a lot of Devon towns are so it stays the same all year round.”
Beyond its picturesque beach, Seaton has a lot more to offer, as evident from the enthusiasm of local traders.
Lindsey Macdougall, an employee at Paperchain gift shop, shared her fondness for the town: “It’s a very friendly town, everybody knows everybody. It takes a while to come to work in the morning when you have a little gossip here and there.
“We’re a bit like Marmite; you either love us or you hate us. There’s not the big shops, it’s a very quiet town but it’s a very sociable town.”
Lyka Rowlands, owner of Yummy! oriental food store in Seaton (Image: Mary Stenson/DevonLive)
A resident since 1991, Lindsey has witnessed significant changes in the town. While there are still numerous independent businesses, she says the arrival of larger chains, including the Tesco Superstore, has shifted the balance of trade over the years.
Lindsey lamented the change in local business, explaining: “With bigger shops coming in, the trade has gone towards one side so it’s had a little bit of an impact because there used to be all the banks, dry cleaners, fruit and veg shops, butchers. But there are a lot of shops opening up.”
Just around the corner, Matt Bowker continues to uphold traditional trades at Taste of Devon Butchers, noting their popularity among locals and visitors alike.
Despite some neighbouring establishments feeling the financial strain, saying: “It’s a lovely place to live, people are friendly, there’s a good community spirit. We get a nice local trade throughout the whole year and then when the tourists and holidaymakers come down, it does pick up for us. It’s amazing footfall, especially when the sun’s shining.”
Matt also acknowledged the challenges facing the high street: “There are a few shops around that are vacant at the moment and they keep swapping and changing but generally we’re keeping things open. It is hard times.”
Nevertheless, Seaton has seen the arrival of new ventures recently, including Yummy!, a novel oriental food shop opened by Lyka Rowlands, who expressed her astonishment at the warm welcome.
“I was surprised because it’s an oriental store and you don’t really find them in small towns so opening here, we’ve had people welcome us,” she said.
“Even if they don’t buy anything, they just say things like ‘we’re so happy you opened here’. It’s so sweet. It’s a close-knit community.”
Amid concerns that Seaton often goes unnoticed, one local said: “We need to encourage more people to come here, advertising Seaton. We need to push more on that. The street needs flowers and things like that to make it more vibrant.”
Lindsey Macdougall is a shop assisstant at Paperchain gift shop and has been a resident of Seaton since 1991 (Image: Mary Stenson/DevonLive)
You’re never far from the comforting aroma of fish and chips by the seaside, and Frydays stands out as a firm favourite for those visiting Seaton, located a mere pebble’s throw from the shore.
Manager George Anghel remarked: “When you drive to the town, it’s like you are entering the sea. It’s a beautiful view. I like being on the coast because I like to walk, I like to cycle.”
George also noted that Seaton might play second fiddle to other Jurassic Coast destinations when it comes to drawing in the crowds.
He observed: “In my opinion, in Sidmouth, Lyme Regis, Exmouth, there’s more people than here because they have more facilities there. More hotels, more restaurants, more everything. This is a quieter town but the beach is amazing.”
