The Beacon

The Beacon sits high above Seaton, and on a clear day you can see why locals bother with the climb. It's essentially a raised vantage point where the Devon coast sprawls out in front of you, east towards the Axe Estuary and west along the cliffs. Nothing fancy, mind you - just a proper viewpoint that rewards a bit of effort.

The walk up from town takes about twenty minutes depending on your fitness. It's steep in places, so not one for very small children or anyone with mobility issues, but perfectly manageable for most. Once you're up there, the views justify the huff and puff. On a grey November afternoon I visited, even the muted colours of the coastline had their appeal.

Give yourself an hour all in - twenty up, twenty wandering about taking photos and staring out to sea, twenty back down. It's free, obviously. No facilities at the top, so don't expect a cafe. If you're staying at Beer Head Holiday Park nearby, this makes a decent morning outing, though it's short enough that you'd want to combine it with other bits of Seaton itself.

Worth it? Yes, if you're in the area and fancy some fresh air and decent views without the tourist crowds. It's not dramatic or famous, but it's exactly what a local viewpoint should be.