This route from the Exe Estuary to the steeply wooded valleys on Exmoor follows, for the most part, quiet country lanes and footpaths along the Exe valley through Bickleigh, Tiverton and Bampton, Exebridge, Dulverton, Hawkridge and Withypool, then leaving the Exe Valley to reach Exford to which the Exe flows from its source at Exe Head. Mostly valley scenery, ranging from the broad estuary through pastoral landscapes and narrower, heavily-wooded valleys to open moorland landscapes.
An additional described section links Withypool to the source of the Exe to make a 'source to sea' route using the Two Moors Way (TMW), north, to Simonsbath, then following the TMW waymarkers for about another 3km/2miles high up on to the moor to Exe Head. Exe Head is the source of the River Exe, an area of marshy ground high up on Dure Down.
https://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Exe+Valley+Way
Walking the Exe Valley Way using Public Transport
It is easy to walk sections of the Exe Valley Way from Starcross to Tiverton with one bus or one train from Exeter. Leave your car behind; you won't have to find a car park, you won't have to find a circular route or retrace your steps. Just take one bus to Tiverton or Stoke Canon or take one train to Starcross and walk a small part of this 52 mile footpath then return to Exeter on a different bus.
Starcross
Starcross is situated on the west shore of the Exe Estuary. The village is popular in summer with leisure craft, and is home to one of the United Kingdom's oldest sailing clubs. Starcross is on the Exe Estuary Trail and the village is the starting point of the Exe Valley Way.
You can get the 2 or 2B services from Exeter to start this walk to Turf Lock
Starcross Rail Station (Stop A) – bustimes.org from Exeter
Starcross Opposite Rail Station (Stop B) – bustimes.org to Exeter
Starcross Railway Station is on the Riviera Line between Exeter and Torquay
The Exmouth - Starcross Ferry operates from May 1st - October 31st
https://www.facebook.com/StarcrossExmouthFerry (5k)
The South West Coast Path goes through the village from Dawlish to Exmouth.
Starcross to Turf Locks 3 miles (4.75 km)
From Starcross, walk or cycle north along the path to join the Powderham Road near Exeleigh House. Carefully follow the road as far as Powderham Church. Turn right by the church to join the shared-use path along the Estuary to Turf Locks
Turf Locks are located at the south end of the Exeter Ship Canal. There is a hotel and pub that is inaccessible by car. You can only visit on foot, by bike or by boat. From Turf Locks you can continue along the Exe Valley Way, you can take the ferry to Topsham, or you can walk to Exminster.
The Turf Hotel
https://www.facebook.com/turflockspub
Topsham to Turf Locks Ferry
The ferry runs from Trout’s Boatyard, Topsham EX3 0JJ. Please wait outside the gate, preferably by benches, to be collected nearer departure time. In Turf you can find us at the very end of the garden. Please wait on the top of the pontoon, by the information board. Booking in advance is strongly recommended. Looking forward to welcoming you on board! http://topshamturfferry.com/
Topsham
Topsham is a town on the east side of the River Exe, immediately north of its confluence with the River Clyst and the former's estuary, between Exeter and Exmouth.
https://lovetopsham.co.uk/how-to-get-to-topsham/
You can take the train to Topsham Railway Station and then catch a ferry to either Turf Locks or Topsham Lock. Check the ferry times before catching the train.
You can take the T service from Exeter to Topsham Quay and then catch a ferry to either Turf Locks or Topsham Lock.
Topsham Quay (NE-bound) – bustimes.org to and From Exeter
You can hire an electric bicycle from one of the many Co-Bikes locations in Exeter and cycle to Topsham
Turf Locks to Topsham Lock 1.2 miles (2 km)
Walk along the side of the Exeter Ship Canal. The RSBP nature reserve Exminster and Powderham Marshes is on the landward side on the canal.
https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/50.6742/-3.4721
From Topsham Lock it is a short ferry trip across the River Exe to Topsham. or you can walk down Station Road to Exminster or catch a bus at Swans Nest roundabout.
Topsham to Topsham Lock Ferry
Exeter City Council Topsham Ferry (by Passage House, Ferry Road). Our ferry runs across the river Exe, between the landing in Ferry Road at Topsham, and Topsham Lock on the western bank of the river. The weather forecast may lead to postponement or cancellation of ferry service. If in doubt please ring the ferry phone during the advertised times: Topsham Ferry - Exeter City Council
Exminster
Exminster Swans Nest Roundabout (S-bound) – bustimes.org from Exeter
Exminster Swans Nest Roundabout (N-bound) – bustimes.org to Exeter
Topsham Lock to Countess Wear Bridge 1.8 miles (3 km)
Walk along the side of the Exeter Ship Canal. The Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserves of Exe Reed Beds and the Old Sludge Beds are on the riverward side on the canal.
Countess Wear Bridge
From Countess Wear Bridge you can walk to the RSPB nature reserve of Matford Marshes.
You can get a bus to Bridge Road from Exeter to start this walk to Topsham Lock or Exeter Quay.
Countess Wear Bridge Road (SW-bound) – bustimes.org from Exeter
There are bus stops near the shops on Glasshouse Lane, and also on Lakeside Avenue and Wear Barton Road
Countess Wear Shops (NE-bound) – bustimes.org
Countess Wear Lakeside Avenue (SE-bound) – bustimes.org
There are more bus stops in both directions on Topsham Road
Countess Wear Roundabout (NW-bound) – bustimes.org
Countess Wear Roundabout (SE-bound) – bustimes.org
Countess Wear InFocus (NW-bound) – bustimes.org
Countess Wear InFocus (SE-bound) – bustimes.org
Countess Wear Bridge to Salmonpool Bridge 1.2 miles (1.9 km)
Walk along the side of the Exeter Ship Canal. The Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserve of Riverside Valley Park is on the riverward side on the canal.
Marsh Barton
Turn west from Salmonpool Bridge and walk along Clapperbrook Lane East to reach bus stops in Marsh Barton.
There are bus stops in both directions by Westerly Exeter Mini at the junction of Matford Park Road with Hemyock Road.
Marsh Barton Bentley West Country (E-bound) – bustimes.org
Marsh Barton, opposite Bentley West Country – bustimes.org
There are also bus stops in both directions on Hemyock Road by the Mercedes Benz showroom.
Marsh Barton Hennock Road Central (N-bound) – bustimes.org
Marsh Barton Hennock Road Central (S-bound) – bustimes.org
Marsh Barton Railway Station is being constructed on the Riviera Line between Exeter and Torquay. It is due to open in 2022
Salmonpool Bridge to Exeter Quay 1 mile (1.6 km)
Walk along the side of the Exeter Ship Canal.
Exeter Quay
You can hire a bicycle or kayak from Saddles and Paddles to cycle the Exe Estuary Trail or paddle on the River Exe.
Exeter Quay to St Thomas 0.4 miles (0.6 km)
Walk along the west side of the river Exe.
St Thomas
St Thomas Railway Station is on the Riviera Line between Exeter and Torquay
You can hire an electric bicycle from one of the many Co-Bikes locations in Exeter and cycle to Exeter St Thomas Railway Station
St Thomas to St David's 1.4 miles (2.3 km)
Walk along the west side of the river Exe to Station Road Bridge. Turn east and cross Red Cow level crossing.
St Davids
Exeter St David's Railway Station is the busiest mainline railway station in Exeter. From here you can catch trains and buses to most parts of the city.
You can hire an electric bicycle from one of the many Co-Bikes locations in Exeter and cycle to Exeter St David's Railway Station
St David's to Cowley Bridge 1.5 miles (2.4 km)
Cowley Bridge
You can get the bus to Cowley Bridge on the 55,155 or 369 services from Exeter to start this walk to Exeter or Stoke Canon
Duryard Cowley Bridge (N-bound) – bustimes.org from Exeter
Duryard Cowley Bridge (S-bound) – bustimes.org to Exeter
You can get the bus to Cowley on the 5, 5A, 5B, 5C, or 369 services from Exeter to start this walk to Stoke Canon and avoid walking the A377
Cowley, adjacent to Chapel – bustimes.org from Exeter
Cowley, opposite Chapel – bustimes.org to Exeter
Cowley Bridge to Stoke Canon 3.75 miles (6 km)
PLEASE NOTE – THIS SECTION INCLUDES CROSSING COWLEY BRIDGE WHERE THERE IS A SHORT SECTION WITH NO FOOTPATH. CARE MUST BE TAKEN. You can avoid this section by getting the bus to Cowley Chapel a rejoining the Exe Valley Way
Stoke Canon
You can get the bus to Stoke Canon on the 55 or 155 Exeter to Tiverton services to start this walk to Exeter, Thorverton or Silverton
Stoke Canon Post Office (NE-bound) – bustimes.org from Exeter
Stoke Canon, opposite Post Office opp – bustimes.org to Exeter
Stoke Canon to Latchmoor Green 2.5 miles (4 km)
Photo: Derek Harper https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1980990
Latchmoor Green
Latchmoor Green is halfway between Silverton and Thorverton
Silverton Ruffwell Hotel (N-bound) – bustimes.org from Exeter
Silverton, opposite Ruffwell Hotel – bustimes.org to Exeter
Latchmoor Green to Bickleigh Bridge 5.25 miles (8.5 km)
Bickleigh Bridge
Bickleigh Bridge (NE-bound) – bustimes.org from Exeter
Bickleigh Bridge (SW-bound) – bustimes.org to Exeter
Bickleigh Bridge to Tiverton 3.75 miles (6 km)
Tiverton
Tiverton Bus Station (Departures) – bustimes.org to and from Exeter
The Exe Valley Way north of Tiverton cannot be walked using One Bus From Exeter. You may need to use two or even three buses to get to Dulverton or beyond.
Tiverton to Cove Bridge 5.3 miles (8.5 km)
Cove
398 Tiverton - Bampton - Dulverton
Cove Bus Shelter (SW-bound) – bustimes.org to Tiverton
Cove, opposite Bus Shelter – bustimes.org from Tiverton
Cove Bridge to Bampton 2.6 miles (4.2 km)
Bampton
398 Tiverton - Bampton - Dulverton
Bampton War Memorial (E-bound) – bustimes.org
Bampton War Memorial (SW-bound) – bustimes.org
Bampton to Exebridge 2.1 miles (3.4 km)
Exebridge
398 Tiverton - Bampton - Dulverton
Exebridge Toll House Corner (NW-bound) – bustimes.org from Tiverton
Exebridge Toll House Corner (E-bound) – bustimes.org to Tiverton
Exebridge to Brushford 1.7 miles (2.7 km)
Brushford
398 Tiverton - Bampton - Dulverton
Brushford (N-bound) – bustimes.org from Tiverton
Brushford (S-bound) – bustimes.org to Tiverton
Brushford to Dulverton 1.7 miles (2.7 km)
Dulverton
398 Tiverton - Bampton - Dulverton
Dulverton Pickwicks (E-bound) – bustimes.org from Tiverton
Dulverton Castlemoor (W-bound) – bustimes.org to Tiverton
Dulverton to Hawkridge 5 miles (8 km)
Hawkridge
There is no public transport to Withypool
Hawkridge to Withypool 3.75 miles (6 km)
Withypool
There is no public transport to Withypool
Hawkridge to Withypool 3 miles (5 km)
Exford
198 Minehead - Dulverton
Exford Park Street Bus Shelter (NW-bound) – bustimes.org to Minehead or Dulverton
Walks From Exeter
Keep healthy in Exeter by using walking and cycling. Get buses to find new walks when it is safe to do so. Exeter is full of relaxing or energetic walks.
- Stroll by the River Exe and the Exeter Ship Canal
- Train for a marathon by walking or running the Exeter Cosy Routes
- Visit the green lungs of Exeter by walking Exeter's Green Circle
- Look for wildlife on the River Exe Wild Walk
- Go farther by cycling the Exe Estuary Trail or walking the Exe Valley Way and the Devonshire Heartland Way
Use this site to plan your walks, look at the Covid19 data on the Devon Dashboard, listen to the science and exercise your personal responsibility as well as our body and mind.
One Bus From Exeter
How far can you travel on One Bus From Exeter? In about an hour you can get to Honiton, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Bovey Tracey, Moretenhampstead, Chagford, Okehampton, North Tawton, Chulmleigh, Witheridge, Tiverton, or Willand. You won't need to find a parking space - and you won't have to return to your car. You can walk along the East Devon Way, or the South West Coast Path, or the Exe Valley Way and return by another bus. Find the quiet places. Avoid the traffic congestion of last year. Step more lightly on the Earth.
Back in the early 2000s, I walked the Tarka Trail and the North Devon part of the South West Coast Path in sections. I would get a bus to a town or village on the Tarka Trail, walk 5 to 10 miles and then return on another bus. One Bus from Exeter is a return to that idea.
One Bus From Exeter was to going to start with step 4 out of national lockdown, however infection rates are still high. Use this site to plan your walks, look at the Covid19 data on the Devon Dashboard, listen to the science and exercise your personal responsibility.
