Seaton Labyrinth: A walk through time

The Spiral Centre’s contribution to celebrating Seaton town’s 1000th anniversary in 2005 was to construct this labyrinth in the Cliff Field.

It has an eleven circuit form based on a combination of the designs at Chartres Cathedral in France and the labyrinth at Saffron Walden in Essex.

The pathways are grass and the divides are made of stone from quarries all along the Jurassic Coast. Ammonites are set into the lobes and a slab of polished Portland stone marks the centre. The entrance stones are from the local quarry at Beer.

Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has no false turns or dead ends but we hope it will provide you with an a-mazing experience! Close by there is also a finger labyrinth carved in a piece of local oak.

The purpose of the project is to combine an ancient idea with a modern method of self-teaching.

Walking the labyrinth intuitively relates the twists and turns of one’s life journey to our personal, cultural and environmental heritage and to the unique evolutionary story exposed in the geological sequences of the local coast- so famous for its spiral ammonite fossils.

Within a 60 foot diameter circle the half mile walk in and out connects one with the way in which the 95 mile coastline reveals 185 million years of geological evolution.

We expect many interpretation, educational, artistic and research studies to flow from our labyrinth project and look forward to guiding people in its use.

Labyrinths have a universal appeal and are found all around the world - from all cultures and ages. They are renowned for their recuperative properties.

Walking a labyrinth can be a meaningful experience connecting one more closely with the processes and purposes of life.

Sharing the experience with other walkers can reveal instructive patterns of relationship.

Whether you can see the White Cliff of Beer or the Haven Cliff at Axmouth the coastal views are stunning. Whether you are shrouded in sea-mist, bathed in sunshine or walking under the twinkling stars the weather will make a big difference to your experience.

No two walks are the same. You can probably hear the sound of the waves on the shingle below. From the entrance stones to the circular centre stone the walk is just over a quarter of a mile.

The main sponsors were The Local Heritage Initiative which is a partnership between the Heritage Lottery Fund, Nationwide Building Society and the Countryside Agency and Devon County Council.

Other grants and assistance for its construction, use and interpretation were received from Seaton Town Council, Seaton Phoenix, Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team, The Conservation Foundation and the British Geological Survey. Special thanks are due to Tony Benger Landscaping Ltd who constructed the labyrinth with help from Devon Community Service and local volunteers.

This project has also received support from the Right Reverend Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter, Michael Fairfax, sculptor of the Exmouth Geo-needle, Jane (Tchenka) Sunderland designer of the Norwich Cathedral labyrinth and photographer Joy White. The opening ceremony, performed by David Shreeve, director of The Conservation Foundation, was on Sunday 24 July 2005.