Guest Blog: A cycle tour along the Exe

Exeter has a lot to offer to every visitor. Its beautiful surroundings definitely contribute to the city’s attractiveness, as well. Besides going somewhere by bus or train, you can also enjoy the beauty of South Devon on a wonderful cycle tour alongside the River Exe. There are various destinations, suitable for every taste.

If you want to hire a bicycle for one day, the best point to start is probably Exeter’s quayside. Saddles & Paddles offers various kinds of bikes, the fee for one day is £18. You can also hire an electric bike from Co Bikes from different spots in Exeter, bookable after registering on their website. They cost £24 for 8 – 24 hours. Or you can bring your own bike, of course.

Starting from the quay, your tour will first take you through the amazing river scenery of the Exe. Wide meadows pair up with the river and emerge into a quiet, nature-rich part of Devon, just around the corner from Exeter. The section of the Exe Estuary Trail between Exeter and Topsham is easy to navigate, as it is purpose-built for cyclists, and you only have to cross roads very seldom.

After about 5 miles, your tour will take you to the maritime town of Topsham. Situated on the Exe estuary, Topsham invites you to take a break with its many restaurants and pubs and admire the beauty of its historic houses. It feels as if everything in Topsham contains a very strong maritime flair. If you don’t want to sit in a restaurant or a pub, just sit yourself down on a bench near the water and enjoy the fantastic scenery.

For those who’d like to cycle a little further, I would recommend going to Exmouth. It is located another 5 miles from Topsham. And again, the Exe Estuary Trail compensates for the hard work: with the sea on your right and places such as the Royal marine camp along the way, the journey never gets boring.

Arriving in Exmouth, you will realize that all the effort was worth it. For me, the oldest seaside town in Devon is one of the most beautiful places I have seen during my stay here. Just lock your bike somewhere and take a walk on Exmouth’s beautiful beaches.

If you have enough time, walk along the beach to the start of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast. The unique formations of rocks here are stunning, and you can see evidence of the different ages of the stone. It is like a book showing the history of the earth. After your walk on the beach, many restaurants near the seaside invite you to recharge your batteries before making your way back to Exeter. Exmouth’s town centre is also always worth a visit.

Being a little tired on my way back, I decided to have a short break at Double Locks. This waterside pub is located ten minutes from Exeter by bike. After a long day, you can enjoy a cold drink there, sit near the water and admire the unbelievable beauty of this landscape.

Cycling along the Exe Estuary Trail is a wonderful idea for a day out near Exeter. The tour is quite flat most of the time and is suitable for everyone. Whether you cycle to Topsham, or even further to Exmouth, both will show you the wonderful nature along the Exe.