We are very fortunate, not only to live in Exmouth but also to have the Exe Estuary cycle path right on our doorstep. The big advantage of following a river, is that the terrain is flat, so for unfit bike riders like me it's ideal! If you start at Exmouth and head towards topsham, it's about 5 miles of the most amazing unspoilt scenery you can see anywhere. The other delight of the estuary is the bird life, which is often broadcast on wildlife programmes. Many people take their binoculars to get an even better sighting. As you progress along the track, you ride through the village of Lympstone which is a conservation area, with numerous listed buildings, and a total of four pubs! Two of these, The Swan, and The Globe are great for meals or a drink and are located just off the cycle track. You cycle past the Royal Marines commando site which is interesting seeing some of their training course, and later on reach the village of Exton. Again The Puffing Billy pub is lovely for a snack. The next bit does involve joining a country lane for a mile, but very quickly you join up to the cycle path again, and soon you are heading towards Topsham. The council have recently added a new bridge, which makes the route even more interesting. There are small holes to look through to admire the wildlife. It's a super ride, well worth doing, if you're staying in the Exmouth area.
