National Lottery Heritage Funded

In June 2017 Seaton Tramway was very pleased to receive the news of a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Heritage Grants, Round 1 pass for a project to work with partners and undertake in-depth engagement with visitors, staff, volunteers and new audiences through an ambitious programme of new interpretation, facilities, training, learning, events and long-term activities.

With the development of the new station at Seaton, this was the ideal time to undertake the project. HLF have provided development funding and an in-principle delivery grant of £420,000 as part of an overall project cost of £682,300.

Pink Tram 11 Drone Shot across Seaton Wetlands

Ben Kapur/Seaton Tramway

The aim of the project is to tell the fascinating story of the Tramway and to celebrate the nature and wildlife of the Axe Estuary through an exciting new programme of capital works, activities, training, formal learning and interpretation. We will work with a wide range of new partners and undertake in-depth engagement with visitors, staff, volunteers and new audiences including schools and colleges, young people, families with young children, people with dementia, people with autism and special interest groups.

As a result of the project there will be:

Greater opportunities for visitors to find out and learn more about the Tramway, the heritage of the line and the natural heritage, with new interpretation in Seaton station, at Colyton station and at other points along the route
Opportunities for visitors to participate in new activities including Story Tram for parents and toddlers, Memory Tram for people with dementia and their carers, Quiet Tram for people with hidden disabilities and a Young Carers Club
Participation activities and creative projects for the local community including exhibitions, performances and screenings

Seaton Tramway

Greater access to the Tramway and its environs via new halts at Seaton Wetlands and Riverside Depot
Extended training, apprenticeships and work experience opportunities
New volunteering opportunities
A new formal learning programme, working closely with local schools and colleges in STEM subjects and local history
The development of new and existing partnerships, in particular with Seaton Wetlands, the Jurassic Coast Trust, Colyton Heritage Centre, local schools, Age UK Devon, Autism Wessex and Devon Young Carers
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the launch of many of our new activities, the construction of the new halts and the installation of new interpretation was delayed. The timeline for the project has therefore been adjusted and it is anticipated that the end date will now be summer 2023.