Local Area

Island hide on Seaton wetlands nature reserve

Lyme Regis cob viewed from Langmoor gardens

Bluebells in May at blackberry camp iron age fort

Orchid Cottage is located in Axmouth between Lyme Regis and Seaton on the Devon/Dorset county border. Axmouth is a picturesque Devon village, full of quaint old thatched cottages, lying next to the River Axe which is rich in wildlife and offers opportunities for sailing, fishing and canoeing. Ancient Axmouth harbour is just a mile away from Orchid Cottage and has a marina and access eastward to an isolated beach below Haven Cliff and westward to the seafont at Seaton. There are extensive walking paths in the immediate vicinity of Orchid Cottage including the south west coastal path extending west to Branscombe and on to Sidmouth and east through the Undercliffe national nature reserve to Lyme Regis. Beautiful and atmospheric Lyme Regis, known as a Pearl of Dorset, is only six miles away. Slightly further into Dorset there are fantastic yellow cliffs of Burton Bradstock, West Bay and Fresh Water and full of fossil beaches and the unforgettable sub-tropical gardens and Swannery in Abbotsbury. Devon has lots to offer too, beautiful Axmouth harbour, a tramline leading through the Axe and Coly valleys, Burrow Farm gardens, Beer with its caves and Pecorama, Sidmouth with great town gardens, red cliffs, Jacob's ladder and walks towards Ladram bay.

The close proximity to major trunk roads and central location in the West Country means that day trips throughout Devon, Dorset, Somerset and even into Cornwall are possible. The two national parks Dartmoor and Exmoor are within easy reach, as are the Blackdown Hills, providing innumerable places to visit and fantastic walks and scenic views. The Devon South Hams with the seaside towns of Dartmouth, Salcombe, Paignton, Brixham and Torquay can also easily be visited as a day trip. Travel throughout Dorset to Weymouth and beyond is also within easy using Orchid Cottage as a base. The catherdral city of Exeter is just 25 miles away for more serious shopping expeditions, or just to visit the historic sites such as the quayside or the cathedral itself.

Branscombe village

Jacob's Ladder on Sidmouth seafront

Sea stacks at Ladram Bay

Within 10 minute drive from Orchid Cottage:
* Axmouth Harbour (1 mile)
* Seaton (1 mile)  (Wetlands Nature Reserve and Seaton tramway – EX12 2TB)
* Beer - A lovely fishing village (3 miles)
* Pecorama – Miniature trains and other attractions, Beer, EX12 3NA (3 miles)
* Beer Quarry Caves - EX12 3AT (3 miles)
* Lyme Regis – Regency resort town and world famous fossil beaches (6 miles).
* Axminster - Interesting market town and home of River cottage canteen (6 miles)

Within 30 minute drive from Orchid Cottage:
* Shute Barton – National Trust medieval manor house, Shute, EX13 7PT (5 miles)
* Branscombe - Picturesque village with National Trust Old bakery, Manor Mill and Forge, EX12 3DB (5 miles)
* The Donkey Sanctuary. Sidmouth, EX10 0NU (9 miles)
* Charmouth – Resort and fossil beaches (10 miles)
* Sidmouth – Resort town (12 miles)
* Golden Cap – Scenic headland belonging to National Trust (13 miles)
* Burton Bradstock and Hive Beach – National Trust beach and cliffs famous for their fossils, DT6 4RF. (13 miles)
* Forde Abbey - Historic house and gardens. Chard, TA20 4LU (13 miles)

Within 1 hour drive from Orchid Cottage:
* Lower Severalls – Garden and nursery. Crewkerne, TA18 7NX (20 miles)
* Bicton Park Botanic Gardens – East Budleigh, EX9 7BJ (16 miles)
* A la Ronde – Quirky 18th century, 16 sided National Trust house, Exmouth, EX8 5BD (22 miles)
* Barrington Court – National Trust property. Ilminster, TA19 0NQ (23 miles)
* Abbotsbury – Swannery, DT3 4JG, Subtropical Gardens, DT3 4LA and Children’s Farm, DT3 4LA (26 miles)
* East Lambrook Manor Gardens – Famous cottage garden. South Petherton, TA13 5HH (26 miles)
* Montacute House – National Trust. Montacute, TA15 6XP (29 miles)
* Tintinhull Garden – National Trust. Tintinhull, BA22 8PZ (29 miles)
* Weymouth (40 miles)
* Dartmoor National Park (46 miles)
* Buckfast Abbey – Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0EE (53 miles)