Lympstone: The walk to Lympstone along the River Exe from Exmouth

There are two walks to Lympstone along the River Exe.

NEW CYCLE PATH/WALKWAY

The new wide cycle/walkway starting by the Railway Station a few yards by the road, then along the tarmac path to Lympstone, a safe and easy access. The new section of the Exe Estuary Trail between Exmouth and Lympstone was opened on Saturday, March 1 2008.

OLD PATH (details and photos below the new cycle way)

There is of course the old path starting by the River (behind the Train Bus stations. But please note this can be a bit muddy and narrow, not al all easy fro wheelchair/ buggies etc. but can offer access down to the River bed nearer Lympstone and can be quieter, but be warned very narrow in parts and is right next to the railway line in parts, so please take care with animals and children.

Both are very pleasant walks. Enjoy!

Directions
Exmouth to Lympstone Station, From the combined Exmouth Bus and Railway Station.

Walking info: NEW CYCLE PATH/WALKWAY
The cycle route is now a very popular attraction for walkers and cyclists.

ABOVEThe start is near the railway Station. Only the first few yards are by the road

ABOVE100 yards after previous photo. Go left here, railway line left behind bushes, lots of rabbits. to the right Exmouth Town Football pitch

ABOVE50 yards after previous photo, railway line left behind bushes, lots of rabbits. to the right Exmouth Town Football pitch

ABOVEAfter the Football Club/Carter Avenue shown here by the houses, go though the next wooden gate on the road. Follow the bend next to the river and the water escape. Continue straight on next to the river 200 meters on the tarmac path towards the farm. (photo RIGHT)

ABOVEGo left here, the path just after here spilt's up , (left for the old narrow path) and straight on for the new path (you can just about see the two people on the top of the path in the far distance).

ABOVEGo straight on for the new path

ABOVEThe path has great vantage points as it goes up and down a little.

ABOVE20 yards after previous photo

ABOVE VIEW TOWARDS EXMOUTH: a few yards before the road and Carter Ave. playing fields.

ABOVERiver view and the old path

ABOVEthe view towards Lympstone, with a couple coming back to Exmouth, these trees are particular nice to look at. just before Courtlands lodge and the raised wooden part of the walk.

ABOVEOver lovely new wooden walkways, here near Courtlands lodge, a small house to the right not shown)

ABOVE300 yards after previous photo, VIEW TOWARDS EXMOUTH: the part that sticks out in the photo, (before Exmouth in the far background) is the grassy area on the old pathway.

ABOVEThe view from walking along the river bed. When the walkway finishes, Turn left onto the road, TAKE CARE!, under the railway bridge. A FEW YARDS ON THE TIGHT CORNER TO THE RIGHT OF THIS PHOTO, be aware of oncoming traffic on this corner. Then rest or walk up the small hill towards Lympstone. or at low tide along the river bed, with its lovely views. (one has access with a little difficulty from the old path to the river bed on the old path)

ABOVEGo left here, the path just after here spilt's up , (left for the old narrow path) and straight on for the new path (you can just about see the two people on the top of the path in the far distance).

Walking info: OLD PATH

The old path starting by the River (behind the Train Bus stations). But please note this can be a bit muddy and narrow, not at all easy for wheelchair/ buggies etc. but can offer access down to the River bed nearer Lympstone and can be quieter, but be warned its very narrow in parts and part of it is right next to the railway line, so please take care with animals and children. Enjoy!

Walk past the station through the car park and then a lorry park, with the railway station to the right. The path follows to the left of the railway line before crossing over it at a pedestrian crossing and joins a road. Turn left down this road and when it curves to the right continue straight on down another footpath. This follows to the right of the railway line before crossing over onto the left-hand side and heading northwards before descending down to meet a road on the southern side of Lympstone. Turn left along this road and follow it as it heads through the village and curves around to the right to the railway station, where this walk ends.

Walking info: The start is near the back of the railway Station. Walk past the station through the car park and then a lorry park, with the railway station to the right. The path follows to the left of the railway line before crossing over it at a pedestrian crossing and joins a road. OR YOU CAN START ON THE MAIN ROAD and after the houses and the farm turn off on the new path.

After the Football Club/Carter Avenue direction. the path towards the farm. Turn left down this road and when it curves to the right continue straight on down another footpath.

ABOVE VIEW TOWARDS EXMOUTH

Left Path: This follows to the right of the railway line before crossing over onto the left-hand side and heading northwards.

600 yards after: the path crosses the railway line to the half circular grassy field area, with a gate to the other side of the track, (NO Wheelchair access from here), Children & dogs, take care.

ABOVE, VIEW TOWARDS EXMOUTH: about to cross over railway line

ABOVE, VIEW TOWARDS EXMOUTH: about to cross over railway line

ABOVE, VIEW TOWARDS EXMOUTH

View heading northwards to Lympstone.

ABOVE, VIEW TOWARDS EXMOUTH: about to get to the grassy area.

After the open grass area, the path narrows. It is possible to walk this part without meeting a train if you want for one to pass first and walk fast. From here it is possible for the fitter to walk along the river bed at low tide to Lympstone, although slightly wet in patches.

There is access for the fitter here to the river bed at low tide. Please note that I take no responsibility for anything that may happen when following these directions. If you intend to follow this route take care, its a concrete slope.

ABOVEThe view from walking along the river bed. When the walkway finishes, Turn left onto the road, TAKE CARE!, under the railway bridge. A FEW YARDS ON THE TIGHT CORNER TO THE RIGHT OF THIS PHOTO, be aware of oncoming traffic on this corner.

Then rest or walk up the small hill towards Lympstone. and heading northwards before descending down to meet a road on the southern side of Lympstone. Turn left along this road and follow it as it heads through the village and curves around to the right to the railway station.

or at low tide along the river bed, with its lovely views at low tide to Lympstone. Around the corner is the small red cliffs before Lympstone. (one has access with a little difficulty from the old path to the river bed on the old path, before this point)

Continue up the road into the village or walk around the headland at low tide.

Walking info: The start is near the railway Station
After the Football Club/Carter Avenue direction. the path towards the farm
600 yards after: the path crosses the railway line to the half circular grassy field area, with a gate and a wooden stay on the other side of the track, (NO Wheelchair access from here), Children & dogs, take care.
After the open grass area, the path narrows. Small children's buggies will get though. It is unfenced to the river, there is a wire fence next to the railway, control dogs, hold them if possible, Please take care. (it is possible to walk this part without meeting a train if you want for one to pass first and walk fast.) From here it is possible for the fitter to walk along the river bed at low tide to Lympstone, although slightly wet in patches.
The view a little further on, (OPPOSITE DIRECTION, looking back towards Exmouth). The path on the top goes away from the rivers edge at the Lympstone end, coming out on the small road next to the railway bridge (when wet it can be muddy in places).
The view where one meets the road, OPPOSITE DIRECTION, looking back towards Exmouth. Walk along the river at low tide to Lympstone, Around the corner is the small red cliffs before Lympstone. Continue up the road into the village or walk around the headland at low tide. (OPPOSITE DIRECTION to the photo.)
Allow a good 40 minutes from the Exmouth railway Station to Lympstone walking very quickly. To take it easy and see the view then allow over twice as long or of course as long as you want.

Lympstone village
(see Lympstone page) is a real picture, many small cottage's and its Marina (boats at high tide only) nested in the middle of its sandstone cliffs.

There are shops including the post Office and of course 3 public houses serving food and music nights. The Globe and The Swan (by the Railway Station) and under the railway bridge The Redwing Inn.

After more lovely cottages and houses is the large Lympstone Church. Behind it are the Tennis Courts, Village Hall and the village School.

Walkers and Keen cyclists can also ride the cycle route from Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton along Buzzard Way. Starting near Phear Park, then over the road at Littleham Cross, then again on the old railway line towards Budleigh. about 5 miles

History Read about Exmouth's History and see many old photos and paintings of old Exmouth.