Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton & Honiton, visited the famous Seaton Tramway in East Devon on Friday, joining Chief Executive, Jenny Nunn, and Engineering Manager, Lee Taylor for a trip through the Axe Valley.
The visit comes after a successful start of the year for the Tramway, which saw the unique transport attraction awarded the Visit England Welcome Accolade recognising the outstanding customer service the charity delivers. The Tramway is the only tourist attraction to win the accolade in Devon for 2018.
The accolade isn’t the only award presented to the attraction this year. Seaton Tramway were also given the prestigious Heritage Railway Association’s award for Outstanding Achievement for its new Seaton Station.
The new station, which opened in June last year, has seen a huge investment by the Tramway in the town costing upward of £3 million. The station houses four platforms and a new Gift Shop & Café, ‘Claudes’, named after its founder Claude Lane. Offering new interpretation and closer access to the trams the investment allows for a greater number of visitors, welcoming local people and visitors to Seaton for a trip on the Tramway.
Neil Parish, MP said “It was fantastic to learn that your hard work has been noticed by Visit England. Your work really is putting Seaton on the map and highlighting what a great town Seaton is to visit and live in. The new Station is wonderful, and your investment has paid off. It is great to see this attraction bringing in business for the local area and East Devon and to see your partnerships growing with local businesses, especially with Devon sourced food.”
Seaton Station is currently home to the world-renowned Natural History Museum’s, ‘The Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition’ which displays 100 stunning images of wildlife and nature. Seaton Tramway is its home until the 10th May and brings the exhibition to Devon and the farthest south it will go during 2019, outside of London.
Seaton Tramway is a Charity, operating electric trams on a 3-mile route through two nature reserves along the River Axe & Axe Valley. As a charity it aims to ensure the maintenance and preservation of the industrial and natural heritage for the benefit of future generations.
You can find out more and book tickets at http://www.tram.co.uk