Exeter Canoe & Kayak Loops

Home , Exeter Ship Canal, Exe Estuary, Lympstone

Watch Out For Exeter Canoe To make sure the site can be enjoyed by future Wildlife generations please:

& Kayak Loops Give wildlife a wide berth and pass quietly – The whole of the Exe Estuary is disturbance can affect their survival. an important site for wildlife, including Sites of Special Scientific Avoid areas where birds are feeding, resting or Interest (SSSI) and a Special breeding, keep to the main river channel and Route Guide linking Protection Area (SPA). During avoid entering the reed beds of the Nature Reserve. winter, tens of thousands of birds Avoid lingering in river pools or the River Exe and depend on the Exe to rest and feed below fish passes on weirs (where on their long migratory journeys migratory fish rest). the Historic Canal from areas as far away as Siberia. Kingfisher Although they are quiet, non-powered craft such as canoes, kayaks and The River Exe Canoe & Kayak There are a number of Nature paddleboards can cause & Canal Reserves along the river and disturbance. Enjoy Loops canal which provide feeding and watching the wildlife but Osprey resting areas for these keep at least 100m away. At the top of the Exe Estuary, the River Exe and The Canoe & Kayak Loops are a series of protected species. Exeter Ship Canal link the estuary to Exeter self-guided circular canoeing / kayaking trails Quayside. on the river and canal. This waterway is steeped in history and is a There are two loops which can be paddled Black-tailed Otter fantastic place to watch wildlife. from different access points and in different Godwit This guide is aimed at visitors using watercraft combinations. in the river and canal area, and outlines how to Head down the river and back up the canal make the most of your visit whilst undertaking and join up loops for longer trips. It takes activities safely and with respect to other most people 5-6 hours to paddle each loop visitors and wildlife. and the complete circuit from Exeter Quay to Turf Locks and back is 17km, which can take a Want To Know HARBOUR AUTHORITY (River & Canal Office) full day. More? Office hours 01392 265791 Out of hours emergency 0845 3511060 To cross between the river and canal and avoid weirs and lock gates, it is necessary Prevent litter: to carry craft overland. See map for EXE ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP WILDLIFE Bin it or take it home routes and locations of access points Exe Estuary Officer 01392 382236 Natural England – Devon Office 0300 060 3900 (look out for way marker posts SEDHRP Mitigation [email protected] with a canoe symbol). SAFETY Officers Coastguard Emergencies ONLY 999 or VHF Ch16 VISITOR INFORMATION Police (non emergencies) 101 Custom House Visitor Centre 01392 271611 • Carry a suitable means of communication for Plan A Safe Trip emergencies. • Carry the relevant safety equipment, e.g. For further information, Exe leaflets These codes have been produced by the Exe Estuary Activities undertaken at the river and canal can be personal flotation device. and other codes of conduct, visit the Management Partnership in collaboration with AS Watersports, Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre, Saddles and Paddles hazardous and are undertaken at your own risk. Exe Estuary Management Partnership • Be visible: make sure lights are used at night. and supported by local users and organisations. Follow the below code of conduct when visiting. website at www.exe-estuary.org or • Only use recognised public access points and contact the Exe Estuary Officer at • Check conditions beforehand via weather landing places, keeping access clear at all times. [email protected].

reports, river levels and tide tables. Issue 1 - April 2018 • Watercraft should keep well away from anglers • Make your own assessment of dangers based on – pass quietly by the opposite bank. your knowledge, experience and the conditions. • Let someone know your plans and expected Do not exceed the 10 knot speed limit return time. within the river and 5 knots within the canal.

Watch Out For Exeter Canoe To make sure the site can be enjoyed by future Wildlife generations please:

P Exeter Visitor Centre Exeter Exeter P Cathedral & Quay Quay Car Park River Exe & Canal: Quayside slipway South Section RB river Trews Weir Custom House Visitors Centre Saddles & P Exeter Paddles Quay Haven Key River Exe Banks Pontoon Outdoor P Riverside Canal BasinEducation Nature Reserves Landing stage RB canal Country Haven Road Centre St James AS Watersports Access & Portage Point NEW for 2018! off Water Lane Park Stand Up Paddle Weir boards to hire! Bike & paddlesports hire, Ramp LB - Left Bank Landing stage LB canal P plus bike sales and repairs P A377 from Exeter Quay Advance ! by low bridge Steps adjoin RB - Right Bank Open booking 9am –6pm essential! the river P Portage Point – involves everyday River Exe carrying craft overland to cross between river and canal or bypass LOOP 1 Clapperbrook When describing the river, left and right are Lane East a weir or lock gate. always whilst looking downstream. Pub car park only P Double Parking • Start at Exeter Quay/Canal Basin Locks Countess Wear P to Countess Wear. Pub Pub Cafe Exeter Canal Slipway RB river • Paddle down the canal Swing off road to (southwards) for 1.4km to head Bridge Sewage Works Bridge (limited access) height bridge with landing stage Road P & carpark on the left hand side. Landing stage LB canal at Countess Caution Weirs • Carry boat from landing stage to M5 Wear swingbridge River Exe Water at the base of weirs can be the river approx. 150m. Use Landing stage LB dangerous, particularly in high flows. steps to access the river. canal off road to River Exe & Canal: Sewage Works Hidden obstacles may be present under *Downstream of St James Weir, low Devon Wildlife the surface. North Section Exeter Canal Topsham M5 Trust Nature tides can make the river shallow Reserve and some access points unusable for canoes/kayaks. It’s safer to Ferryman’s slipway RB river (limited access) When describing the river, left and right are restrict tidal trips to fair conditions LOOP 2 always whilst looking downstream. N and 2 hours either side of high tide. Topsham Lock Cottage P Topsham church stone • Start at Countess Wear to Topsham Lock Cottage (shorter) or full causeway LB river • Paddle downstream under distance to Turf Locks. Landing stages LB canal by Topsham Lock Cottage footbridge continue on to • Access the river via the slipway on the sewage works access road. Countess Wear road bridge, Paddle downstream (southwards) under M5 bridge. 150m after bridge there is a *During lower tides, follow the main buoyed river channel in the estuary. This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of on behalf Controller Her Majes ty’s Stationery Office © Crown Copyright and database rights 2018. 100019783 Exminster Marshes steep slipway on the river right. Increased hazards on the estuary can include wind, waves, currents, boats and RSPB Nature their wakes. • Cross over the sewage works Reserve 200m road and use the landing stage • The shorter loop: 1.1km after paddling under the M5 bridge there is a Station Road P metal slipway on the river right, just beyond Topsham Lock Cottage this LIMIT to get back on the canal. While all reasonable care has been

can be used to access the canal, but the ferry takes priority and boats Landing stage RB by 1KNOTS0 taken to ensure the information • Paddle back up the canal must not be left unattended in the water or on the ramp. Paddle back up canal-side car park contained on this map is up to date and accurate, no warranty is given that (northwards) to the starting the canal (northwards) to the starting point. the information contained on this map point. A portage will be is free from error or omission. Any • For the full distance, head past Topsham, carry on down the Estuary Exe reliance placed on such information required at Double Locks, there until you see the Turf Locks on the right hand bank. Using the Canal Exeter shall be at the sole risk of the user. are pontoons opposite the pub pontoon here to exit the estuary, the ferry takes priority and boats Estuary Please verify the accuracy of the information prior to using it. Not to to access the canal either side must not be left unattended in the water or on the pontoon or ramp. be used for navigation: the channel is of the lock gates. Portage past the pub to access the canal. Paddle northwards on the Turf susceptible to change over time, for up canal back to the starting point. Hotel to date information on navigation Small slipway Turf Hotel contact the River and Canal Office. Pontoon 2 Turf Lock P Exeter Visitor Centre Exeter Exeter P Cathedral & Quay Quay Car Park River Exe & Canal: Quayside slipway South Section RB river Trews Weir Custom House Visitors Centre Saddles & P Exeter Paddles Quay Haven Key River Exe Banks Pontoon Outdoor ty’s Stationery Office P Riverside Canal BasinEducation Nature Reserves Landing stage RB canal Country Haven Road Centre St James AS Watersports Access & Portage Point NEW for 2018! off Water Lane Park Stand Up Paddle Weir boards to hire! Bike & paddlesports hire, Ramp LB - Left Bank Landing stage LB canal P plus bike sales and repairs P A377 from Exeter Quay Advance ! by low bridge Steps adjoin RB - Right Bank Open booking 9am –6pm essential! the river P Portage Point – involves everyday River Exe carrying craft overland to cross between river and canal or bypass LOOP 1 Clapperbrook When describing the river, left and right are Lane East a weir or lock gate. always whilst looking downstream. Pub car park only P Double Parking • Start at Exeter Quay/Canal Basin Locks Countess Wear P to Countess Wear. Pub Pub Cafe Exeter Canal Slipway RB river • Paddle down the canal Swing off road to (southwards) for 1.4km to head Bridge Sewage Works Bridge (limited access) height bridge with landing stage Road P & carpark on the left hand side. Landing stage LB canal at Countess Caution Weirs • Carry boat from landing stage to M5 Wear swingbridge River Exe Water at the base of weirs can be the river approx. 150m. Use Landing stage LB dangerous, particularly in high flows. steps to access the river. canal off road to River Exe & Canal: Sewage Works Hidden obstacles may be present under *Downstream of St James Weir, low Devon Wildlife the surface. North Section Exeter Canal Topsham M5 Trust Nature tides can make the river shallow Reserve and some access points unusable for canoes/kayaks. It’s safer to Ferryman’s slipway RB river (limited access) When describing the river, left and right are restrict tidal trips to fair conditions LOOP 2 always whilst looking downstream. N and 2 hours either side of high tide. Topsham Lock Cottage P Topsham church stone • Start at Countess Wear to Topsham Lock Cottage (shorter) or full causeway LB river • Paddle downstream under distance to Turf Locks. Landing stages LB canal by Topsham Lock Cottage footbridge continue on to • Access the river via the slipway on the sewage works access road. Countess Wear road bridge, Paddle downstream (southwards) under M5 bridge. This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of on behalf Controller Her Majes 150m after bridge there is a *During lower tides, follow the main buoyed river channel in the estuary. © Crown Copyright and database rights 2018. 100019783 Exminster Marshes steep slipway on the river right. Increased hazards on the estuary can include wind, waves, currents, boats and RSPB Nature their wakes. • Cross over the sewage works Reserve 200m road and use the landing stage • The shorter loop: 1.1km after paddling under the M5 bridge there is a Station Road P metal slipway on the river right, just beyond Topsham Lock Cottage this LIMIT to get back on the canal. While all reasonable care has been can be used to access the canal, but the ferry takes priority and boats Landing stage RB by 1KNOTS0 taken to ensure the information • Paddle back up the canal must not be left unattended in the water or on the ramp. Paddle back up canal-side car park contained on this map is up to date and accurate, no warranty is given that (northwards) to the starting the canal (northwards) to the starting point. the information contained on this map point. A portage will be is free from error or omission. Any • For the full distance, head past Topsham, carry on down the Estuary Exe reliance placed on such information required at Double Locks, there until you see the Turf Locks on the right hand bank. Using the Canal Exeter shall be at the sole risk of the user. are pontoons opposite the pub pontoon here to exit the estuary, the ferry takes priority and boats Estuary Please verify the accuracy of the information prior to using it. Not to to access the canal either side must not be left unattended in the water or on the pontoon or ramp. be used for navigation: the channel is of the lock gates. Portage past the pub to access the canal. Paddle northwards on the Turf susceptible to change over time, for up canal back to the starting point. Hotel to date information on navigation Small slipway Turf Hotel contact the River and Canal Office. Pontoon 2 Turf Lock