Seaton Tramway - Review for families

Best for:

Babies / 9 –12 / 12

OK for:

Toddlers & Preschool / 5 - 8

Cost

££ - The best ticket deal is £5 per child and £10 per adult. This gets you unlimited rides on the date of issue. You can buy singles and returns to and from any of the terminals at various prices and loyalty card holders get cheaper fares. Please consult the fares page for more information.

What’s on offer

A variety of colourful, old school trams take visitors on a half-hour long journey from Seaton to Colyford to Colyton. In addition to pretty and peaceful views for parents to enjoy, young children can get involved by playing a few classic games or puzzles during the trip. There are some suggestions on the Seaton Tramway website.

On the tram itself, keen birdwatchers or nature loving children will enjoy spotting the different species of birds and enjoying the beautiful plant life along the tram journey.

At Colyton station, there is the Tramstop Café and Liddon Dairy (who do a lovely cream tea), along with a small park that TripAdvisor users say young children will enjoy. You should find toilets at the café. If you want to explore Colyford town further, walk just a ¾ mile to get there. The town centre has a beautiful old church and church tower, along with a few shops and pubs,

If you fancy, you can walk along the river at Colyton to Colyford, the latter of which is an adjacent village to the main town. Colyford has two pubs – perhaps for lunch – and a lovely chapel to visit.

At Seaton station, there’s a Tesco/Co-Op right by the car park, which is ideal if you need to stock up on snacks or supplies. Seaton is a coastal resort, at the mouth of the River Axe and as a result, the station is not far from the beach! They have a cinema and plenty of fast-paced, adventurous outdoor activities like horseback riding, sailing and fishing to try.

Each tram can hold a buggy, though you may be asked to fold it down and store it. There’s a special Dinosaur train available for children aged 2 – 5 years on selected dates, but it’s very rare. Check the website if you want to know more.

Highlights

It’s old-fashioned fun - which is great for something different to do with the kids. You won’t quite find another transportation system as lovely as these trams. There are stunning views of the Axe Valley.

What to watch out for

- It is quite expensive, so bear this in mind.

- Dogs cost £1 per ride, each way and must ride on the lower deck.

- Sometimes the tram driver’s are entertaining, like tour guides, and sometimes they are not. Every tourist and visitor will have a different preference about which of these is negative. If you don’t want a chatty tram driver, perhaps ask staff if they can give you tips on which tram to wait for.

- The tramway has a free car park at Colyton station, but the car part at Seaton is pay and display, run by the East Devon Council.

- At Colyton, it’s a bit of a walk into the main village, so be prepared for the amenities listed above and that’s it – if you aren’t prepared to walk.

- While it’s handy to buy snacks from the big Tesco at Seaton station, it’s also a bit of an eye sore!

- Make sure little ones have a wee before getting on the tram, as there are no bathrooms on the actual tram itself (only in the stations/villages).

MFM tips:

- It’s definitely an experience made for the summer sunshine! Get an upstairs seat for the best views of the valley.

- If you book online to travel on a Friday, their “Fare Friendly” Friday offers a 50% discount. This is perfect for big families!

- Why read more of our handy guides to East Devon’s best family attractions?

The Donkey Sanctuary
Escot Park
World of Country Life
Seaton Tramway
Pecorama

What the owners say

“Seaton Tramway operates narrow gauge heritage trams between Seaton, Colyford and Colyton in East Devon's glorious Axe Valley, travelling alongside the River Axe estuary through two nature reserves and giving an unrivalled view of the abundant wading bird life.

The coastal resort of Seaton is now a gateway town to the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whilst the historic town of Colyton is described as "Devon's Most Rebellious Town" for its part in the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685!”

Visit the official Seaton Tramway website