Avocet Line: window card

About this journey

The Avocet Line joins Exeter with Exmouth through Topsham and the eastern shore of the Exe Estuary. Exeter St Davids is the main-line interchange, while Exeter Central provides another city boarding point. The suburban start precedes the waterside landscape: the route passes Topsham, Exton and Lympstone before reaching Exmouth. A train ticket buys a short estuary journey, with the sandy beach reached on foot from the terminus.

The railway runs on the estuary's eastern bank. Heading south towards Exmouth, the water lies to the right; heading back to Exeter, it lies to the left. Mudflats, channels and boats replace a fixed shoreline as the tide changes. The opposite bank contains the Powderham and Starcross landscape. The recommended side covers the estuary stretch, not every city cutting or station approach.

The line takes its name from the avocet, linking the railway with the estuary's birdlife. Topsham provides access to the RSPB reserves at Bowling Green and Goosemoor, near the meeting of the Exe and Clyst. The train gives a moving view; a reserve visit supplies time to watch birds from the designated paths or viewpoints. Exmouth then changes the setting from sheltered estuary to the sandy coast at its mouth.

A normal scheduled Great Western Railway service from Exeter to Exmouth. After crossing the city, the line reaches Topsham and then keeps close company with the Exe Estuary, passing waterside villages, mudflats and bird-rich shallows before finishing near Exmouth's seafront.

For an easy day trip, ride through to Exmouth, walk from the station towards the marina or seafront, and return from the same station after checking the current service. Topsham makes a useful optional stop for its estuary setting, but only build it into the day after confirming that your chosen trains call there. An overnight in Exeter offers the most flexibility; staying in Exmouth suits a slower coastal break.

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