Exmouth – Gateway to the Jurassic Coast
Exmouth, described as the western gateway to the Jurassic Coast; lies on the east bank, at the mouth of the River Exe, about twelve miles south east of Exeter. The town has been a popular seaside destination since the 18th century and is thought to be the oldest holiday resort in Devon.
It has an extensive beach, with two miles of golden sand and rock pools to explore - making it a paradise for families. It is also a popular destination for a variety of water sports, such as kite surfing, kayaking and windsurfing.
The nearby estuary of the River Exe is one of the most beautiful in Britain – much of it is a nature reserve that is a haven for birdlife - particularly migrating and wading birds.
There really is nothing like strolling along the longest old-fashioned seafront in Devon, with its Victorian shelters to sit in and watch the world go by or admire the delightful views over the water, and the colourful flowerbeds along the promenade.
There are a variety of places to enjoy refreshments – several traditional pubs, fish and chip shops, or the seafront Ocean complex with its bar, café, bowling centre, and soft play area. https://www.oceanexmouth.co.uk/
Exmouth is nothing like a modern-day bustling holiday resort; it is full of charm and character - and has retained much of its traditional heritage. The town grew during the Victorian and Georgian eras, and this is still evident in its architecture; many of the town’s hotels still look like grand Victorian style villas which have been tastefully refurbished. Walking along the promenade towards the marina, you will see quaint, colourful fishermen’s cottages, which are all painted in various pastel colours.
Whereas the modern buildings that surround the marina itself are a blaze of colour – a real contrast to the older buildings - but very striking! It is delightful to wander around this area, which has several unusual quirky little shops – but nothing too touristy.
You can book boat trips from here with Stuart Lines Cruises. Their Jurassic Coast Cruise offers stunning views of the area’s deep red Triassic rocks - accompanied by a live commentary from their skipper. Tide-permitting, the vessel sails close to the cliffs and sea stacks, and then sail further out for a panoramic view. Stuart Line Cruises have also teamed up with the Jurassic Coast Trust to run an annual evening cruise in late Summer, with commentary from local experts on the Jurassic Coast. www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk
Exmouth is proud of its rich history, and one of the best ways to discover more about the town’s impressive past, is to follow the Blue Plaque trail (distinctive oval plaques that can be found all around the town).
If you do this, you will discover that bygone smugglers were often discovered sneaking their wears down Watery Lane, or you may learn about the underhand business dealings of Mary Ann Clarke, mistress to The Duke of York, who lived in Chester House on Imperial Road. He really was that Grand Old Duke of York – from the nursery rhyme! You will discover that Exmouth was also the home of Admiral Nelson’s estranged wife Lady Francis ‘Fanny’ Nelson, who lived on The Beacon. Children will love the tale of Nancy Perriman, who disguised herself as a boy to go to sea during the Napoleonic wars; known as ‘A Powder Monkey’, she lived to the age of 98 at Pilot Lights. The butterfly shaped Beach House, formerly The Barn Hotel, is well worth finding - it is believed to be one of the world’s oldest ‘Arts and Crafts’ buildings.
Walking around the Town centre, you will also see shops ranging from independent stores and boutiques, to more traditional high street stores. There are also many cafes, where you must try a traditional Devon Cream Tea; or visit the indoor market with unique gifts or more things to eat.
Exmouth is renowned for its food festivals, including the Exmouth Mussel Festival - where you can sample some of the freshest seafood, alongside local wines and ales. The festival is free to attend and has a great line up of music and theatre, as well as local food to try. If food festivals don’t appeal, look out on the annual Kite Festival – that is definitely a unique day out no matter what age you are! You won’t find numerous bustling, noisy amusement arcades in Exmouth, but you will still be able to visit places such as the Cinema, the Leisure centre, or the Pavilion (which hosts shows and concerts, as well as various midweek classes). Manor Gardens is a pleasant, quiet area to sit and relax in the middle of the town area, it is free and has public toilets too.
The Blue and White Land Train is a great way to see everywhere without wearing yourself out; it offers a hop on and off service and runs every day throughout the summer months. More details on www.exmouthlandtrain.co.uk
Queens Drive Space is the most touristy part of Exmouth (but in a good way); it is just outside of town, overlooking the beach. A Jurassic themed play area for all the family; it is free to get in and also has plenty of food and drink stalls; there are also music events and an open-air cinema during the summer. www.queensdrivespace.co.uk
As well as being one of Devon’s oldest and prettiest seaside resorts, Exmouth is the starting point of a several picturesque walking and cycling trails; The Exe Estuary Cycle Trail runs from Exmouth to Dawlish (along the banks of the estuary) and there is easy access to the South West Coast Path - plenty of opportunities to get out and about. Exmouth is known as the gateway to the World Heritage Jurassic Coast, full of beautiful views and stunning scenery; with walking trails where you can see the dramatic cliffs and maybe find evidence of the prehistoric creatures that once roamed here. There are fossils on display in the cliffs and the sand – you just have to know where to look.
Whether you decide to walk along the cliff tops or along the beach (tide permitting) the views are fabulous – the red cliffs are like nowhere else. Walking along coastal path may be muddy and slippery in places, so you should keep to official routes (stay away from the edges) and follow warning signs at all times. You can find more information on this World Heritage Site by visiting the Jurassic Coast website https://jurassiccoast.org/
Orcombe Point, just to the east of Exmouth, marks the official start of England’s first natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a great place to see spectacular sunsets – one of my favourite places when I visited.
The ‘geoneedle’ on the hilltop was unveiled by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2002. The 5-metre high geoneedle is constructed from stone and rocks found along the 95 mile stretch of the Jurassic Coast - which stretches from Exmouth to Old Harry Rocks in Studland Bay in Dorset.
The red sandstone and mudstone that make up these cliffs, have been here for over 250 million years (from The Triassic Period) and evidence suggests this area was a desert at that time. One of the first places you come to along the coast after leaving Orcombe Point, is the private beach of Sandy Bay.
This beautiful bay with its own Beach café, serves a holiday camp situated on top the cliffs – with the most amazing views out over the ocean. It is a great place to see the amazing cliffs, where you can walk along the beach, getting up close to them or walk along the cliff-top path.
Make sure you check the tide times – as the beach route is only accessible when the tide is out – you could get stranded. Residents and visitors must be aware, and are encouraged to follow safety advice along the coastline; as landslides and rock falls can occur quickly and without warning, especially after severe weather. The Jurassic Coast is an area of outstanding historical significance.
The coastline is a natural wonder that changes as you walk along it; at Exmouth you can see the rich, red Triassic Rock; whereas a few miles away, the distinctive cliffs will have turned orange – but everywhere dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes would have roamed, millions of years ago.
You can explore the Jurassic Coast by a hop-on hop-off bus, which is a perfect way to discover the coastal attractions, walk a section of the South West Coast Path (which has hundreds of miles of footpaths) or just sit back and enjoy the views from the top deck. You can visit the iconic landmarks of Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, or the pretty coastal villages or towns of Budleigh Salterton, Swanage, Lyme Regis and West Bay.
At Seaton, you can travel back in time at the Jurassic visitor centre – where the whole family can explore more about the region’s history. So, if you fancy an adventure the whole family will enjoy – head down to the south Devon coast and do some exploring. For more information on Exmouth, www.visitexmouth.org
Thank you for taking time to follow my adventures,
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