River Exe

The River Exe rises on Exmoor in Somerset, near the village of Simonsbath, and flows south for 60 miles to reach the sea at the Exe Estuary in Devon. Its name comes from a Celtic word meaning ‘abounding in fish’, and many places along its course still carry the ‘Exe’ prefix. The river powered Exeter’s medieval growth, with Exe Island built in the 10th century to house watermills for paper and textiles. Tides are controlled at Trews Weir, and the Exeter Canal once allowed ships to reach the city’s quayside. The estuary supports water sports at high tide and exposes wide mud flats at low tide. The Exe Estuary is a key wintering site for wading birds, with Dawlish Warren a favoured spot for birdwatchers. The river holds wild brown trout and coarse fish such as dace, chub and pike, alongside runs of Atlantic salmon and sea trout. Black Pool, just below the Barle confluence, is one of the river’s best salmon pools. Smaller species like stone loach also live in the water, and the river’s low pH does not cause serious acid rain problems. The estuary mouth links Exmouth harbour to Starcross pier via a summer ferry. Railways run along both sides of the estuary, with the Avocet Line on the east and the South Devon main line on the west. The latter follows a sea wall from Powderham to Dawlish Warren. The estuary’s waters are used for sailing, windsurfing and water skiing when tides allow. At low tide, exposed mud flats provide feeding grounds for waders, while higher up the river supports healthy fish populations. The landscape around the estuary changes with the tides, offering varied views and wildlife encounters throughout the year.