Lympstone is situated on the east side of the River Exe, on National Cycle Route 2, between Exmouth in the south and Topsham to the north. The main part of the village lays between the Exe and the A376 – Exmouth to Exeter road. But to the east of the village the Parish stretches right up to Lympstone Common.
Lympstone is not just a great place to explore – visit the cobbled quays, the harbour or view fascinating architecture – from Grade listed buildings to contemporary dwellings. Visit the Parish Church or stroll along one of the many footpaths that criss-cross the village.
But Lympstone is also a great base for exploring this fantastic and varied area. If what you are looking for in not in Lympstone – it will be within a very short distance by foot, by cycle, by train or by car.
In Lympstone ……..
Walking
Cycling
Dining Out
The Train
Cruises & Ferries
RSPB Reserves
Located on the South West Coast Path, Budleigh Salterton has excellent local walks, both along the dramatic coastline, and in land through the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Visit The Otter estuary and the Fairlynch Museum
4.94 miles by road
Boasting one of the warmest climates in the UK, at the very beginning of the Jurassic Coast, Exmouth is one of the most picturesque holiday resorts on the south coast. Walk the South West Coastal Path, sail along the Jurassic coast or the Exe River and Exmouth’s stunning beach stretch for miles.
2 miles by road, less on the Exe Trail
Sidmouth is a beautiful coastal town with a regency feel, It lies on the Jurassic Coast and the coastline is dominated by the vivid red sandstone cliffs. Sidmouth Beach is a perfect family friendly beach, ideal for safe swimming and rock pooling at low tide with great on site facilities. You Well Sidmouth Guide
8.67 miles by road
Once a thriving port and shipbuilding centre, Topsham still retains a strong maritime flavour. This quaint historic town has a cosmopolitan atmosphere with an eclectic cluster of specialist shops and fine restaurants. Visit Topsham Museum and see the elegant 17c Dutch-style merchant houses along The Strand. Visit the Quay Antiques Centre.
4.21 miles by road, less on the Exe Trail
Walking around Lympstone
Exmouth to Lympstone
A gentle stroll mostly along the Exe Estuary cycle route following the eastern bank of the Exe Estuary, whose mudflats, sandbanks and marshes are of international importance for their wildlife, especially the tens of thousands of resident and migratory waterbirds. Look out for avocets, curlews and lapwings, and if you’ve lucky seals and otters, and buzzards wheeling overhead. Take time to explore Lympstone before catching the train back to Exmouth
Rating – Easy
Distance 2.3 miles
For full details and to download the guide
Walk information provided with help from Natural England.
Map reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.
© Crown copyright and database right 2018.
Ordnance Survey Licence number 100022021.
Lympstone to Topsham
A level stroll along the Exe Estuary Cycle Trail to Exeter’s one-time main port, with its fine Regency waterfront buildings reflecting Topsham’s Dutch connections, brought by William of Orange when he arrived to take up the throne. The route passes the elegant grounds and buildings of Nutwell Court and the Lympstone Commando Training Centre before leaving the riverbank to head into the town over the historic Clyst Bridge. Pause for lunch in Topsham before catching the train back to Lympstone.
Rating – Moderate
Distance 4.7 miles [7.6 Km]
For full details and to download the guide
Walk information provided with help from Natural England.
Map reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.
© Crown copyright and database right 2018.
Ordnance Survey Licence number 100022021.
Lympstone to Lympstone Common
A walk inland, heading up into the hills above the village for spectacular views over the Exe Estuary and beyond. The route passes the church and some of Lympstone’s many listed buildings before dropping down an ancient lane to the Wotton Brook, while the return route features the unique Point-in-View Church and the National Trust’s eighteenth-century 16-sided house at A La Ronde (open to visitors). There is some gentle ascent and descent, and paths around fields may be muddy after rain.
Rating – Moderate
Distance 7.5 miles [12 Km]
For full details and to download the guide
Walk information provided with help from Natural England.
Map reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.
© Crown copyright and database right 2018.
Ordnance Survey Licence number 100022021.
The East Devon Way
This 38 mile [60km] path takes you from Exmouth, in the west to Lyme Regis, Dorset in the east, and follows footpaths, bridleways and stretches of quiet lanes.
The route passes through the heart of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), linking to the South West Coast Path, the beautiful Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and the Exe Estuary.
The route is presented from west to east in six stages and you can pick up short sections of the trail from a number of easily accessible points.
OS Explorer Maps: No. 115 & No. 116
This walk can be done in stages:
Stage 1. Exmouth to Woodbury Castle via Lympstone
Stage 2. Woodbury Castle to Aylesbeare Common
Stage 3. Aylesbeare Common to Sidbury
Stage 4. Sidbury to Farway
Stage 5. Farway to Colyton
Stage 6. Colyton to Lyme Regis
For full details and to download the East Devon Way pdf guide
Map courtesy of Explore Devon
Cycling ….
The Exe Explorer is your guide to the Exe Estuary Trail – and much more ….
With miles of cyclepaths and footpaths and exceptional and ever-changing views, the Exe Estuary is a destination that can be explored again and again. It is one of the most important estuaries in Europe for wildlife, particularly birds, and has several international designations.
To download an Explorer leaflet and more information click here
Also South Devon – Official Guide to the Region: Exe Estuary Trail More information on Where to Stay, What’s On, Food and Drink and images of along the Trail. Click here for the Guide.
National Cycle Network – Sustrans. Exe Estuary Trail is part of the National Cycle Route No.2 Visit the NCN here.
Dining out ….
The Avocet Line
Some interesting facts about the line:
- The line was built in 1861 and celebrated its 150th anniversary on 1st May 2011 (see here for details and a gallery of this splendid event).
- For most of its history the line was part of the London & South Western Railway and BR’s Southern Region, but is now operated by Great Western Railway.
- The line is the busiest branch line in the west of England with about 1.7m travellers a year.
- The name ‘Avocet Line’ was introduced in 2003 by Wessex Trains, the then franchisee, as a marketing name and has been adopted by everyone.
For more information visit the Avocet Line
Cruises and Ferry Services
There are several ferry services operating on the Exe Estuary, many of which offer scenic cruises as well as foot ferries across the estuary.
Stuart Line Cruises
Sail from Exmouth throughout the year offering circular scenic cruises on the river, guided bird watching, summer coastal cruises and day trips to local towns: Topsham, Sidmouth and Torbay. All vessels have seating, refreshments and toilets on board.
Tel: 01395 222144
Exe to Sea Cruises
Starcross to Exmouth ferry, trips to Brixham, coastal cruises, fishing trips and bird watching cruises including winter RSPB Avocet Cruises.
Cruises Tel: 07974 772681 / 07812 729212
Fishing Trips Tel: 07974 022536
The Sea Dream II Ferry
Topsham to Turf Locks and RSPB bird watching cruises. The Turf Locks Hotel is a family run pub serving great food, local ales and wines.
Tel: 07778 370582
Topsham Ferry
The ferry runs across the river Exe, between the landing in Ferry Road, Topsham, and Topsham Lock on the western bank of the river.
There is no road access to Topsham Lock but it is on the Exe Valley Way walking route.
For Ferry Times click here
Bird Watching and Nature Reserves
There are several Nature Reserves in the area. Click on any of the links below for more information:
