River Exe and Exeter Ship Canal Loop 2 Salmonpool to Countess Wear Easy Trail: Please be aware that the grading of this trail was set according to normal water levels and conditions. Weather and water level/conditions can change the nature of trail within a short space of time so please ensure you check both of these before heading out. Distance: 2.8 miles Approximate Time: 0.5-1 Hour The time has been estimated based on you travelling 3 – 5mph (a leisurely pace using a recreational type of boat). Waterways Travelled: River Exe and Exeter Ship Canal Type of Water: Urban River and Canal Portages and Locks: 2. 1 lock at Double Locks to portage. There is a portage of 5m only between the river and the canal Nearest Town: Exeter Start and Finish: Canal Banks Car Park Alphin Brook Road EX2 8QA Route Summary O.S. Sheets: 192 Exeter & Sidmouth Licence Information: A licence is not required to This is a pleasant trip just south of the centre of a major paddle this waterway. city, taking a circular route down the River Exe, and back up the Exeter Ship Canal, which was built to enable Local Facilities: Cafes and toilets back upstream at sailing ships to reach the city centre. It is 2.8 miles long, Exeter Quay. Exeter Quayside (both sides of the river), and gives great views of the city to the east side, and an have ample facilities and many eating places. There is increasingly rural view downstream, and is an easy the canoe shop also between the river and canal. paddle. There are two portages - one to lift over to the canal from the river, and another at a set of locks on the canal. There are Waymarker points at these locations with a canoe on them. Page 1 of 5 Exeter was an important wool trade exporter from centuries back, until a dispute arose with Topsham downriver, a weir being built to divert off trade. To enable ships to still reach the centre of Exeter, the canal was built in 1566. The main traffic today is recreational. Start and Finish Directions Canal Banks car park, reached from the west side of the river, via Alphin Brook Road, the B3123, Exeter Devon (EX2 8QA) The start is at a car park reached by crossing the canal from the west side, via Marsh Barton industrial (signposted). This area of Exeter is to the west of the city centre, and on the west bank of the Exe. From the city centre; cross the main bridge and turn left to follow the river, heading for the industrial estate. From the M5, approaching Exeter from the east, cross the river on the motorway, to the junction with the A30 to the north and west, and after 1.5 miles, turn right towards the city centre, turning off to the right before the river bridge. Cafes and toilets back upstream at Exeter Quay. Description The trip commences with a portage of 150m from the canal over to the river. The direction of the trip is to the right side, downriver. Please keep to the right side of the river, to avoid going too close to the houses on the east bank, and also often salmon anglers. To the right is the greenery of a Country Park. The river sweeps around a long bend to the left, and then a sharper bend to the right, and Countess Wear Bridge is reached. The Exe was tidal as far as the present position of Head Weir prior to 1282, and ships could dock as far upstream as our starting point. This was changed when Isabella de Fortibus built a barrier at Countess Wear, diverting shipping trade to Topsham, and a canal was built in 1563 to bypass this. At certain states of the tide there are strong eddies and standing waves downstream of the bridge. Below the bridge it is possible to portage along the old Exeter bypass to the canal, but our portage is an easier one 200 yards downstream over a narrow neck of land by the sewage works entrance. The canal narrows, and the paddler reaches the crossing point of the old A38, the Exeter by-pass. Here there are two bridges, the old swing bridge and a newer lifting bridge opened in 1971. At Double Locks there is another Inn, dating from 1701. The lock pond is very large, 312 ft by 25 ft. and the gate paddles which let water in and out are operated by wheels instead of hand windlasses. The gates nearest the Inn have wooden balance beams, which came from the mast of HMS Exeter following a re-fit at Devonport in 1940, after the action in the River Plate. Page 2 of 5 The canal now skirts the edge of the Marsh Barton Trading Estate and away in front is a magnificent view of the City and the Cathedral. Land back where you parked, on the right side of the canal by the road bridge. Useful Information The waterways on this trail don’t require you to have a licence to paddle on them. However if you paddle regularly you should consider becoming a member of British Canoeing. A British Canoeing membership gives you a whole range of benefits including a licence to paddle on 4500km of Britain's waterways and Civil Liability Insurance, worth up to £10 Million. Not only will membership help save you money, it will give you peace of mind when out on the waterways. For more information on British Canoeing membership please click here. On the Quay in Exeter is A/S Watersports - a canoe shop - and they are more than happy to help you with canoeing information in the area. In addition there is also Haven Banks – an outdoor education centre. Exeter Quayside (both sides of the river), have ample facilities and many eating places. There is the canoe shop also between the river and canal. Further useful information can be found on the following websites: www.exeter.gov.uk/ www.exeterviews.co.uk/ www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/ CANOEING SAFETY ADVICE Spending an afternoon or day canoeing on a Canoe Trail can be a fun way to experience nature, help you to stay fit and healthy and enjoy spending time with friends and family. It can also be a dangerous journey, if appropriate safety guidelines are overlooked. To help make sure you remain safe at all times, read on to see our canoeing safety advice guidelines. Wear appropriate clothing Always wear shoes. Rocks, rough terrain and river beds present serious hazards to boaters without the proper attire. Nearly 90% of all boating injuries are attributed to lack of proper footwear. Other canoe safe clothing includes hats, gloves, additional dry clothing, and layered items which can easily be removed. Take or wear a windproof top and course always wear a buoyancy aid - for children make sure the crotch straps are used. Be sure to: • Know the weather forecast and check the water conditions before you set out canoeing. There is an Environment Agency website where information concerning river levels can be found. We recommend checking this before heading out as the river levels can rise and fall quite quickly in wet or dry conditions. • Observe navigation rules for this waterway. Page 3 of 5 • Check to see if there are any events on the waterways when you wish to travel. • Check that your equipment is well maintained and ready for the water. • Check that your boat has the required buoyancy to keep it afloat in the event of a capsize ALWAYS be certain to let others know where you’re going and when you’re expected to return. MAKE SURE that the journey you plan is within your capabilities. MAKE SURE you never paddle alone. Equipment Checklist Use the canoeing safety advice checklist below to make sure you have everything you need: Photo by James Carnegie • Boat • Paddle • Buoyancy Aid • Bailer/sponge • Small First Aid Kit • Phone (in a waterproof bag) • Drinking water and snacks • Suitable clothing for the weather Environmental Good Practice One of the great things about paddling a canoe trail is enjoying the journey and different environments that you paddle through. So when you are out on the water please consider the following things to help keep the wonderful waterways and environment as you found them and to avoid accidently disturbing wildlife and their habitats. Take your litter home with you Keep noise to a minimum Where possible keep to any designated paths or launching points. Do not “seal” launch or drag boats to avoid wearing away natural banks. Float your canoe for launching, lift out when landing and carry it to and from the water. Canoe a safe distance away from wildlife. If you see signs of disturbance move away quietly. Familiarise yourself with the local area, its sensitive places and protected areas On rivers, avoid paddling over gravel banks in low water conditions – they may contain fish spawn. Ensure you don’t remove or damage any plants or animals from the waterway as they may be protected or harmful if transferred to other catchments When clearing litter left by others, handle it with care. Be the eyes and ears on the water. Report pollution, wildlife problems, damage, incidents etc to the relevant authorities: Canal & River Trust, Emergencies: 0800 47 999 47 RSPCA for wildlife and animals in distress: 0300 1234 999 (24 hours) Environment Agency: 0800 80 70 60 (24 hours) Page 4 of 5 CHECK, CLEAN, DRY Help minimise the spread of invasive aquatic species and disease by following the campaign advice before putting your canoe and equipment in and out of the water (some invasive species can survive in damp or wet conditions for five or six days on water recreation clothing and equipment).