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Ranked 1 of 3 facilties in ranked in Devon
Wow factor
Accessibility
Photo potential
Exe estuary
| Directions: |
Park up at the RSPB Shop located at Darts Farm, off the A376 Exmouth road, just five minutes from Junction 30 (Exeter Services) on the M5. Stagecoach Bus Service 57 (Exeter to Exmouth) stops at Darts Farm. Topsham railway station is 1/4 of a mile away, with regular services between Exeter Central and Exmouth stations. Exminster Marshes and Powderham Marshes lie east of Exminster Village, and are accessible off the A379 Dawlish road. Bowling Green Marsh is on the outskirts of Topsham, and is signposted from the Holman Way car park. Both are five miles south of Exeter on either side of the Exe Estuary. There’s also an RSPB car park at Exminster Marshes, on Station Road immediately on the right past the railway bridge, and a public car park by the canal. |
| Accessibility: |
Open daily. Access to the public hide at Bowling Green Marsh is along a paved road. With paved ramp to the door. The viewing platform is down a short (100m) path with no wheelchair access. Exminster and Powderham Marshes are natural sites with unimproved paths and trails. |
| Costs: |
Free |
| Best time to visit: |
Spring and winter |
Venue information
This reserve comprises different areas of coastal grazing marsh on opposite sides of the estuary – Exminster Marshes and Powderham Marshes on the western side, and Bowling Green Marsh on the east. In spring, look for breeding lapwings and redshanks, plus many other wetland birds. In winter, during floods and at high tide, you can see thousands of ducks, geese and wading birds roosting and feeding, such as curlews, lapwings, black-tailed godwits and wigeons. Hundreds of avocets can also be seen on the estuary in winter, with special boat cruises organised.
Venue verdict: A great spot for avid bird photographers.
Ratings (out of five): 3
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Excellent not just for the birds but the estuary gives some excellent landscapes. The whole coast of SE devon is a jewel that shouldn't be overlooked.
(Written by: ptolemyx)
09 June 2008 18:16
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Apart from the birds on the mudflats, Topsham is a very old and attractive village - once the main port for Exeter until the river silted up, it has numerous interesting old buildings and several quay-side areas - plenty of photo potential around the village and a reasonably sized car park only 5 minutes walk from the main quay. Also has a good selection of pubs (very pleasant on a summer's evening), eateries and individual shops.
(Written by: HangTen)
01 December 2007 20:43