River Exe, Exford, Exmoor National Park
[Main photo: the River Exe in public art at Winsford in Exmoor National Park]
Rising on the high moors of Exmoor National Park
Rising on the high moors of Exmoor National Park north west of Simonsbath in Somerset, the River Exe arcs south east towards the Dulverton area on the fringe of the national park before flowing into Devon and south through Tiverton to Exeter. From there, the river runs into the Exe Estuary and the English Channel at Exmouth.
This listing provides information on the River Exe from source to sea.
The River Exe in Exmoor National Park
The B3223 cuts across Exmoor’s high moor between Simonsbath and Cheriton before meeting the A39 and dropping down to the Lynton/Lynmouth area.
Exe Head is located to the west of this road where the Two Moors Way and Tarka Trail meet.
From these headwaters, the River Exe flows east through a stunning valley above Simonsbath on its way to Exford. It then winds its way down to the pretty village Winsford before turning south to the Dulverton area where it leaves Exmoor National Park and then Somerset at Exebridge.
The River Exe in Mid Devon
The River Exe runs alongside the A396 in the Exe Valley to the Knightshayes (National Trust) area just north of Tiverton.
A beautiful stretch of the river flows under Tiverton Castle.
The river heads to Bickleigh and then Exeter.
The River Exe at Exter and the Exe Estuary
The River Exe flows through the centre of Exeter on its way from the Exe Valley towards the English Channel at Exmouth. Lining the river in the centre of Exeter are Exeter's Historic Quayside and the Exeter Ship Canal Basin. The latter connects with the Exeter Ship Canal which runs down the side of the river to the coast.
Exeter Ship Canal location
The Exeter Ship Canal runs from the Exeter Ship Canal Basin in Exeter down the western side of the River Exe and Estuary towards the sea. Where the canal meets the estuary are The Turf and Turf Lock.
One of the oldest canals in the UK
The Exeter Ship Canal is one of the oldest canals in the UK. Built to provide access by water to the heart of the city, the canal enabled ships to bypass the river which had silted up in the medieval period and was no longer navigable. Work on the canal began in 1564. At this time, the Trews Weir was built downstream of Exeter's Historic Quayside.
'Early trade consisted of woollen cloth, tobacco, wine, glassware, fish and fruit. More recently, the majority of trade was coal for the city's gas and electricity works, timber and petroleum products.' (Source: information board at the Exeter Ship Canal Basin)
'By the 1960s only a handful of commercial ships were using the canal. The last commercial vessel to leave Exeter Basin was the ESSO JERSEY [sic] in 1975, having imported a cargo of fuel oil.' (Source: information board at the Exeter Ship Canal Basin)
Exeter Ship Canal Basin
'The basin was the last extension on the Exeter Ship Canal. Constructed in 1830 it provided reliable deep berths in the heart of the city for large sea going vessels. This helped to encourage trade and increase Exeter's wealth.' (Source: information board on site at the Exeter Ship Canal Basin)
To visit, we'd recommend parking in the car park just by the basin to the west of the river. This way, you avoid much of the city centre traffic. If you're exploring on foot, head down to Exeter's Historic Quayside and wander across the bridge to see the basin. We've positioned all these points of interest on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see their exact locations.
Nature Reserves
As mentioned above, the River Exe rises on the high moors of Exmoor National Park north west of Simonsbath and arcs south east towards the Dulverton area on the fringe of the Park before flowing south through Tiverton to Exeter. From there, the river runs into the Exe Estuary and the English Channel at Exmouth. The wetland system of the Exe Estuary is an exceptionally important wildlife site.
'The estuary is particularly important for birds in winter, when the mild climate and suitable feeding areas attract tens of thousands of wetland birds - some of them from the UK but many travelling from northern and eastern Europe. Up to 20,000 wading birds and ducks, geese and swans can be present mid-winter, making the area important on an international scale. The estuary also provides a vital feeding and resting area for many thousands of birds migrating to and from their northern breeding territories.' (RSPB Exe Estuary Nature Reserves leaflet)
RSPB Nature Reserves
Bowling Green Marsh RSPB Nature Reserve
Bowling Green Marsh is located on the east side of the Exe Estuary by Topsham.
'Bowling Green Marsh is the main high tide roost for the north of the [Exe Estuary] and one of the premier birdwatching sites in south-west England.' (RSPB Exe Estuary Nature Reserves leaflet)
Exminster Marshes RSPB Nature Reserve
Exminster Marshes is located on the west side of Exe Estuary between Exminster and The Turf and Turf Locks.
'The wetland bird spectacle is at its best in winter, when hundreds of ducks and flocks of lapwings, curlews and black-tailed godwits can be seen on the marshes. In spring, the marshes are particularly important for regionally scarce nesting lapwings and redshanks.' (Information board at Exminster Marshes RSPB Nature Reserve)
Powderham Marshes RSPB Nature Reserve
Powederham Marshes sits below Exminster Marshes.
Matford Marsh RSPB Nature Reserve
Matford Marsh is located by Exeter Canal on the edge of Exeter.
The Old Sludge Beds Nature Reserve
Situated between Exeter Canal and the River Exe below the M5 spanning the wetland.
'The Old Sludge Beds are an important wetland nature reserve. There should be lots to see and hear whatever time of year you visit.' Highlights include warbler, Pipistrelle bats, peacock butterfly, grass snakes and slow worms. (Information board on site)
Exmouth Local Nature Reserve
Exmouth sits on the mouth of the Exe Estuary. Exmouth Local Nature Reserve covers the estuary by the town.
'Designated due to the highly productive mudflats and eelgrass beds, which provide a rich food source for birds.' (Information board at Exmouth)
The Maer Local Nature Reserve
Located in Exmouth behind Exmouth Beach.
Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve
A sand spit pushes out into the mouth of the Exe Estuary from the popular holiday destination Dawlish Warren.
Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve 'is one of the most important wildlife sites in Europe'. 'Up to 23,000 wildfowl and wading birds travel to the estuary from the far north to escape the cold each winter. They start arriving in August and stay to late March. Some travel from as far away as Siberia! The mudflats and sand spit at Dawlish Warren are vital to the survival of these birds.' Highlights include dunlin, turnstone, grey plover, ringed plover and oystercatcher. (Information board at Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve)
Cricklepit Mill Nature Reserve
Situated by Exeter Quayside.
Exeter Valley Parks
Follow Exeter Canal or the River Exe from Exeter Quayside and you come to Exeter Valley Parks.
Stuart Line Cruises
Stuart Line Cruises run a number of trips in the Exe Estuary and along the coastline. A great way to see the local wildlife.
RSPB Avocet Cruises
Learn about the wildlife on the Exe Estuary with RSPB guides on an Avocet Cruise.
Site of Special Scientific Interest
The Exe Estuary is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. 'The mudflats, sandbanks and marshland of the Estuary are of international importance and provide valuable habitats for thousands of birds and other wildlife.' (Source: information board on site)
Locations around the Exe Estuary
Locations around the estuary include Topsham, Powderham and Exmouth.
Exe Valley Way
The Exe Valley Way is over 50 miles long and follows the River Exe/Exe Valley from Exmoor down to Starcross.
Exe Estuary Trail
The Exe Estuary Trail runs around the edge of the Exe Estuary between Exeter and the South Devon/East Devon coast. Roughly 18 miles (8 miles Exeter to Starcross and its foot ferry. 10 miles from Exmouth to Exeter via Topsham. Measured using Ordnance Survey mapping app). Cycle, walk or run a section or all of the trail.
Hire bikes from Saddles & Paddles on Exeter's Historic Quayside.
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