DawlishExmouth

Dawexm two
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

By Tony Leigh on 04 Apr 2022


Distance

13km/8mi

Ascent

-

Descent

-

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Description

Route Description
While the walking is over some more demanding surfaces, there are more gradients and it is slightly less direct and longer, this route offers an infinitely more attractive, peaceful and rewarding walk than Dawexm 1. Instead of road noise, traffic pollution and cyclists you experience the glorious contrasts of the exposed coast, sheltered hinterland of South Devon, the river cruise and tourist Mecca of Dawlish Warren.
Food shops and toilets are available in Exmouth, Starcross, Dawlish Warren and Dawlish.

Stage 1. Exmouth and the River Exe. (4 K)
The route takes you directly to Exmouth Docks and the Starcross Ferry (seasonal: Apr-Oct; and also affected by low water spring tides. Updated information is available on line – search Starcross Ferry). You are advised to factor in the day’s operating times for the ferry when planning the walk. An alternative regular train service links Exmouth and Starcross via Exeter Central. If obliged to use the train you will need to make for Exmouth Station and pick up the walking route from Starcross Station.

Stage 2. Starcross to Dawlish Warren (6.5k) Links several paths with some stretches not suitable for wheels and several steep gradients.
a) (2.57k) From Starcross Station cross the road and turn right into Bonhay Road, sign-posted “Exe Estuary Trail”. The route threads its way to New Road which you follow to the junction with Staplake Lane. Staplake Lane climbs gently for 1k until an un-signposted mud tractor track off left which, initially, can be muddy after heavy rain. Follow this to the junction with unnamed Butts Lane (900m). Turn left and follow Butts Lane to the Toll House.
b) (1.25k) Cross a minor but quite busy road and enter the narrower path opposite. Vegetation here grows lusciously in the Spring and Summer and at first sight it may appear more overgrown than it will prove to be. Follow this path south until it merges with Green Lane by Higher Cofford Farm – a cattle farm as you will realise from the nature of the path’s surface at this point! From here the path becomes increasingly well-defined until it emerges by a mini industrial area at the A379.
c) (1.1k) Cross the A379 to the minor road which passes between the two halves of Cofton Holiday Park. Follow until you reach Cofton Church. A public footpath climbs from the railings to the right of the Church, a short but steep climb through magnificent pine forest. Climb almost to the ridge before branching right along a path bordering the private Eastdon Plantation and Eastdon Wood. Bench and picnic table. Exit onto a minor road (from Cockwood) which you follow, downhill, until Orchard Road. Turn right and follow for 50m before entering Dawlish Countyside Park where dogs are encouraged to run freely in the broad space.
d) (750m) Follow the east perimeter path, pausing at “The Lookout” to take-in the magnificent panorama from the English Channel and Berry Head to Ashcombe, Mamhead and the Monolith on the Haldon Hills.
e) (1.3k) Exit the Park to turn left on the minor road, Shutterton Lane, dropping down to the busier Dawlish Warren Road. Turn right and pass through the tourist resort of Dawlish Warren until the mini roundabout and bus stop. Cross to take the Bridle Path prominently signposted “Exe Estuary Trail Dawlish”. Follow the Bridle Path for a short distance, past St Mary’s Church Hall, before a left turn (signposted “Footpath”) leads to the railway footbridge. Cross the railway and take sea wall heading southwest.

[IMPORTANT NOTE: Stage 3 of the route should now follow the sea wall to Dawlish, passing under the Viaduct to finish at Dawlish Station. Ongoing construction associated with the Network Rail Resilience Project has re-opened the sea wall and beach between Rockstone Bridge and Dawlish Station. However, it is still necessary to cross the railway at Coastguard Cottages and approach the station via Lanhearne and Richmond Place. This review will be amended when the route is fully re-opened. The anticipated date is 23 July 2022.

Temporary Final Stretch (displayed in the associated GPX file) but note above amended text.

Stage 3. Seawall to Rockstone Bridge and Dawlish. 2.34k
Take the sea wall to the next footbridge (Rockstone). Cross the railway and climb the cliff path to the A379. Here the pavement is a shared cycle/pedestrian way. Follow until just past the Coastguard Cottages as it starts to drop down to Dawlish centre. Immediately beyond the arch take the smaller path left which passes by a sheltered housing complex before re-joining the wide, sloping steps of the cycle/pedestrian way to Richmond Place and flippers.grove.objective

Route Description
While the walking is over some more demanding surfaces, there are more gradients and it is slightly less direct and longer, this route offers an infinitely more attractive, peaceful and rewarding walk than Dawexm 1. Instead of road noise, traffic pollution and cyclists you experience the glorious contrasts of the exposed coast, sheltered hinterland of South Devon, the river cruise and tourist Mecca of Dawlish Warren.
Food shops and toilets are available in Exmouth, Starcross, Dawlish Warren and Dawlish.

Stage 1. Exmouth and the River Exe. (4 K)
The route takes you directly to Exmouth Docks and the Starcross Ferry (seasonal: Apr-Oct; and also affected by low water spring tides. Updated information is available on line – search Starcross Ferry). You are advised to factor in the day’s operating times for the ferry when planning the walk. An alternative regular train service links Exmouth and Starcross via Exeter Central. If obliged to use the train you will need to make for Exmouth Station and pick up the walking route from Starcross Station.

Stage 2. Starcross to Dawlish Warren (6.5k) Links several paths with some stretches not suitable for wheels and several steep gradients.
a) (2.57k) From Starcross Station cross the road and turn right into Bonhay Road, sign-posted “Exe Estuary Trail”. The route threads its way to New Road which you follow to the junction with Staplake Lane. Staplake Lane climbs gently for 1k until an un-signposted mud tractor track off left which, initially, can be muddy after heavy rain. Follow this to the junction with unnamed Butts Lane (900m). Turn left and follow Butts Lane to the Toll House.
b) (1.25k) Cross a minor but quite busy road and enter the narrower path opposite. Vegetation here grows lusciously in the Spring and Summer and at first sight it may appear more overgrown than it will prove to be. Follow this path south until it merges with Green Lane by Higher Cofford Farm – a cattle farm as you will realise from the nature of the path’s surface at this point! From here the path becomes increasingly well-defined until it emerges by a mini industrial area at the A379.
c) (1.1k) Cross the A379 to the minor road which passes between the two halves of Cofton Holiday Park. Follow until you reach Cofton Church. A public footpath climbs from the railings to the right of the Church, a short but steep climb through magnificent pine forest. Climb almost to the ridge before branching right along a path bordering the private Eastdon Plantation and Eastdon Wood. Bench and picnic table. Exit onto a minor road (from Cockwood) which you follow, downhill, until Orchard Road. Turn right and follow for 50m before entering Dawlish Countyside Park where dogs are encouraged to run freely in the broad space.
d) (750m) Follow the east perimeter path, pausing at “The Lookout” to take-in the magnificent panorama from the English Channel and Berry Head to Ashcombe, Mamhead and the Monolith on the Haldon Hills.
e) (1.3k) Exit the Park to turn left on the minor road, Shutterton Lane, dropping down to the busier Dawlish Warren Road. Turn right and pass through the tourist resort of Dawlish Warren until the mini roundabout and bus stop. Cross to take the Bridle Path prominently signposted “Exe Estuary Trail Dawlish”. Follow the Bridle Path for a short distance, past St Mary’s Church Hall, before a left turn (signposted “Footpath”) leads to the railway footbridge. Cross the railway and take sea wall heading southwest.

[IMPORTANT NOTE: Stage 3 of the route should now follow the sea wall to Dawlish, passing under the Viaduct to finish at Dawlish Station. Ongoing construction associated with the Network Rail Resilience Project has re-opened the sea wall and beach between Rockstone Bridge and Dawlish Station. However, it is still necessary to cross the railway at Coastguard Cottages and approach the station via Lanhearne and Richmond Place. This review will be amended when the route is fully re-opened. The anticipated date is 23 July 2022.

Temporary Final Stretch (displayed in the associated GPX file) but note above amended text.

Stage 3. Seawall to Rockstone Bridge and Dawlish. 2.34k
Take the sea wall to the next footbridge (Rockstone). Cross the railway and climb the cliff path to the A379. Here the pavement is a shared cycle/pedestrian way. Follow until just past the Coastguard Cottages as it starts to drop down to Dawlish centre. Immediately beyond the arch take the smaller path left which passes by a sheltered housing complex before re-joining the wide, sloping steps of the cycle/pedestrian way to Richmond Place and flippers.grove.objective

Status

This route has been reviewed by 3 people.

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Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 3

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (3)

There are currently no problems reported with this route.

Downloads - 7

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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Dawlish
Grid Ref SX9639076670
Lat / Lon 50.58053° / -3.46477°
Easting / Northing 296,390E / 76,670N
What3Words flippers.grove.objective
Exmouth
Grid Ref SY0008180960
Lat / Lon 50.61975° / -3.41381°
Easting / Northing 300,081E / 80,960N
What3Words stores.exist.public

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reviews


Dorleta Diego

12 Jun 2022 Spring

Lovely walk surrounded by nature in a quiet area near Dawlish. Some of the views behind Starcross were beautiful and I had no idea they existed! The toilets by Starcross were very handy.


James Leigh

11 May 2022 Spring

Lovely walk that includes around the back of Dawlish Warren and Starcross to the river and on to Exmouth by ferry. Some really beautiful views and a feeling you are walking along some paths that have history going back hundreds of years.


Tony Leigh

19 Jun 2021 Spring

I created this alternative route and made all relevant comments in the Route Description. I am submitting this review simply to record a rating.


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Dawlish—Exmouth

Dawexm one

Distance

10km/6mi

Ascent

70 m

Descent

67 m

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