About the Exe Estuary Trail
The Exe Estuary Trail is a 26-mile circular walking and cycling route that follows both banks of the River Exe from the city of Exeter south to Exmouth and the sea. The route is entirely flat — unusual in Devon — and can be walked in sections using the excellent public transport connections along the eastern bank, where the Avocet railway line (Exeter to Exmouth, running every 30 minutes) allows walkers to dip in and out of any section and return by train. The western bank is more rural and remote, passing through the RSPB reserves at Exminster Marshes and Powderham, and can only be reached by car, ferry or bicycle.
The estuary itself is designated a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance, a Special Protection Area under EU birds regulations, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest — reflecting its extraordinary ecological significance as a wintering ground for waders and wildfowl, and as a year-round estuary supporting nationally important populations of avocet, black-tailed godwit and other wading birds. Even in summer, when the birding interest is lower, the trail is beautiful for its waterside views, the ancient port town of Topsham, and the mix of saltmarsh, mudflat and grassland habitats along the route.
🦅 Exe Estuary Wildlife — What to Expect
- Avocet: Up to 2,000 winter on the estuary — one of the largest concentrations in the UK. The estuary is named the Avocet Line for a reason. Best seen at Dawlish Warren and Topsham Bowling Green Marsh
- Black-tailed godwit: Large, rust-orange waders in breeding plumage by February — hundreds winter on the estuary mudflats
- Dunlin, knot & grey plover: The most numerous waders in winter — thousands sweep across the mudflats in synchronised flocks
- Brent goose: Dark-bellied brent geese arrive from Siberia in October — hundreds feed on the zostera beds at low tide
- Little egret: Now year-round residents — pure white, elegant birds stalking the shallows. A genuine rarity 30 years ago
- Kingfisher: Year-round on the Exeter Quay stretch and Topsham — listen for the high-pitched whistle
The East Bank — Exeter to Exmouth
The eastern bank of the Exe Estuary is the more accessible of the two — the Avocet railway line runs its full length, stopping at Topsham, Exton, Lympstone Commando (restricted), Lympstone Village, Starcross (actually on the west bank via ferry), and Dawlish Warren before reaching Exmouth. The walking trail follows a combination of riverside paths, the railway-side Exe Estuary Trail, and short road sections through the villages.
Topsham is the jewel of the eastern bank — an ancient port town where wealthy 17th-century merchants built Dutch-gabled houses with the profits of the wool and cloth trade with the Low Countries. The town has excellent pubs, cafés and independent shops, and the Topsham Museum tells the story of the port's heyday. The waterfront path from Topsham south passes through Bowling Green Marsh (an RSPB reserve with a hide overlooking the estuary — excellent for avocets) and the Lympstone villages before reaching Dawlish Warren.
Dawlish Warren is a sand spit at the mouth of the estuary — a National Nature Reserve with a visitor centre, the warren of dunes and grassland behind the beach, and a position at the estuary mouth that makes it superb for watching wildfowl flighting in and out. The Exmouth seafront marks the end of the eastern bank walk.
The West Bank — Exmouth to Exeter
The western bank is quieter, less served by public transport, and passes through some of the finest wildlife habitat on the estuary. Starting from Exmouth (or crossing from Topsham or Exmouth by seasonal ferry), the route heads north through the RSPB Exminster Marshes reserve — a complex of wet grasslands and reedbeds maintained for breeding and wintering birds. The reserve has hides, a viewing platform and a circular walk of about 2 miles. Immediately north of Exminster Marshes, the remote Turf Lock pub sits at the junction of the Exeter Canal and the Exe Estuary — accessible only on foot, by bike or by boat. It is one of the most characterful pubs in Devon, serving simple food and well-kept ales to walkers and boaters.
The route continues through Powderham Castle — the family seat of the Earl of Devon, open to the public in summer, with deer grazing in the parkland alongside the estuary path. The Countess Wear and Topsham Lock sections complete the western bank as you return to Exeter Quay and the city.
Best Short Sections of the Exe Estuary Walk
Topsham to Powderham
The finest single section of the Exe Estuary Trail — walking south from Topsham's quayside through Bowling Green Marsh (avocets!), then crossing the Countess Wear and following the western bank through Powderham deer park. Return by the Starcross ferry (seasonal) to Starcross station and the train back to Exeter.
RSPB Exminster Marshes Loop
A short circular walk through the RSPB reserve at Exminster Marshes — hides overlooking the estuary, wet grassland habitats teeming with birds in winter, and the chance of seeing marsh harrier, peregrine, and hundreds of avocets from the viewing platform. The best birdwatching walk in Devon for beginners and experts alike.
Lympstone to Dawlish Warren
A perfect half-day walk using the Avocet Line — train to Lympstone Village, walk south along the estuary path through Lympstone and the coast path to Dawlish Warren NNR, then train back from Dawlish Warren to Exeter. Good at any season but exceptional in winter for waders and wildfowl on the estuary mudflats alongside the path.
Topsham Town Walk
A gentle exploration of Topsham's Dutch-influenced architecture, waterfront and quayside — finishing at one of the town's excellent pubs (the Passage House or the Steam Inn are both excellent). Topsham is one of the finest small towns in Devon and rewards unhurried exploration.
Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton
Not strictly part of the Exe Estuary Trail but a natural extension — the South West Coast Path from Exmouth beach eastward along the Jurassic Coast to Budleigh Salterton. Flat clifftop walking above red Devon sandstone, with sea views to the Jurassic Coast. Return by bus (X53 Jurassic Coaster) or arrange a taxi from Budleigh.
⛵ Ferries on the Exe Estuary
The Topsham Ferry (The Passage Ferry) runs seasonally between Topsham and the western bank at Turf Lock — making circuit walks possible without completing the full 26-mile loop. The Exmouth–Starcross Ferry crosses the estuary mouth, connecting the two banks at the southern end of the estuary. Both ferries are seasonal (typically April–October) and passenger-only — check current timetables on the operators' websites before planning walks that depend on them. The ferries don't operate in strong winds.
Birdwatching on the Exe Estuary
🐦 Avocet
Oct – Mar · Best siteUp to 2,000 winter here — the UK's most important wintering site. Elegant black-and-white waders with upturned bills. Best from Bowling Green Marsh hide (Topsham) or Dawlish Warren.
🐦 Black-tailed Godwit
Aug – Apr · MudflatsLarge, elegant waders that turn russet-orange by February as breeding plumage develops. Hundreds winter on the estuary mudflats, especially near Topsham.
🐦 Brent Goose
Oct – Feb · Zostera bedsSmall, dark geese from Siberia. Feed on zostera (sea grass) beds at low tide — best seen at Dawlish Warren and Topsham as they flight in to roost at dusk.
🦅 Peregrine
Year-round · Cliffs & pylonsResident peregrines hunt the estuary year-round, often perching on the electricity pylons. Spectacular stoops at the wader flocks in winter.
🐦 Little Egret
Year-round · ShallowsPure white herons now resident year-round on the estuary — stalking shallows and saltmarsh edges. Numbers peak in late summer as post-breeding birds disperse.
🐦 Kingfisher
Year-round · River & canalYear-round on the Exeter Canal and Topsham waterfront. Listen for the high whistle before you see the iridescent blue flash along the water.
Getting There & Parking
The Exe Estuary is uniquely accessible by public transport — the Avocet Line (Exeter St David's/Central to Exmouth) runs every 30 minutes throughout the day and makes the eastern bank walkable without a car, with easy return by train from any station on the line. Parking is available at Topsham (park-and-ride or village car park), Lympstone Village, Dawlish Warren (large pay car park), and Exmouth (multiple car parks on the seafront). For the western bank, parking is available at Exminster village (for the RSPB marshes walk) or the Turf Lock pub car park (for the western bank walk south). Cycling is excellent throughout on the largely flat terrain — National Cycle Route 2 follows much of the Exe Estuary Trail.