Attractions and Places To See around Sowton - Top 20

The Exe Estuary Trail is a highly popular choice, offering a 22.5-mile (36-km) primarily flat route around the estuary, connecting Exmouth, Exeter, and Dawlish. It's well-suited for both cycling and walking, providing scenic views and wildlife spotting opportunities. Another excellent option is the path alongside the Exeter Ship Canal, which is also part of the Exe Estuary Trail.

Yes, Sowton and its immediate surroundings offer several historical points of interest. The Exeter Ship Canal is historically significant as the first canal built in Britain since Roman times. The Countess Wear Bridges also hold historical importance, notably for their role in D-Day training. Additionally, the Turf Hotel & Marina is a Grade II listed pub with over 195 years of history.

Many attractions around Sowton are family-friendly. The Exe Estuary Trail and its boardwalk section are ideal for family bike rides or walks, being mostly flat and off-road. The path alongside the Exeter Ship Canal also offers pleasant walking and cycling opportunities. The unique access to the Turf Hotel & Marina by foot, bike, or boat can also be an adventurous family outing.

Yes, the Exe Estuary Trail boardwalk is specifically highlighted as a wheelchair-accessible cycleway and viewpoint. The entire Exe Estuary Trail is predominantly off-road and well-surfaced, making much of it suitable for various users, including those with strollers or wheelchairs.

For a truly unique experience, visit the Turf Hotel & Marina. This iconic Grade II listed pub is uniquely accessible only by foot, bike, or boat, offering panoramic views across the Exeter Canal, River Exe Estuary, and Powderham Estate. It's a destination in itself.

The Exe Estuary Trail offers fantastic opportunities to observe diverse and plentiful wildlife. Visitors often spot various bird species, fish, and even seals along the estuary. The trail passes through beautiful riverside towns and villages, providing excellent vantage points for nature observation.

Sowton benefits from its proximity to Exeter, which has good public transport links. The Digby & Sowton Railway Station provides convenient train access to Exeter city centre, from where many attractions are accessible. For specific routes and timings, it's advisable to check local bus and train schedules.

Yes, the area around Sowton offers various routes for gravel and mountain biking. You can explore options like the 'Topsham to Woodbury Common' for gravel biking or the 'Exe Estuary Trail – Exe Estuary Trail loop' for mountain biking. More details on these and other routes can be found in the Gravel biking around Sowton and MTB Trails around Sowton guides.

The Exeter Ship Canal holds a significant place in British history as the first canal built in Britain since Roman times, originally constructed in the 1560s. It was also the first canal in England to use the pound lock. It played a crucial role in allowing ships to reach Exeter, bypassing weirs on the River Exe, and is now primarily used for leisure activities.

Given Sowton's immediate proximity to Exeter, a wealth of cultural attractions are just a short drive or bus ride away. These include the historic Exeter Cathedral, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM), and the unique Exeter's Underground Passages. Powderham Castle, the ancestral home of the Earl of Devon, is also nearby.

The spring and summer months generally offer the most pleasant weather for outdoor activities around Sowton, with longer daylight hours and milder temperatures ideal for walking, cycling, and enjoying the estuary views. However, the Exe Estuary Trail is accessible year-round, offering different scenic beauty in every season, though it can get busy on weekends during peak times.

When cycling the Exe Estuary Trail, be mindful of other users, especially on busy weekends and holidays, as it's shared with walkers and runners. The path is well-surfaced and suitable for any type of bike. A section of the trail includes a boardwalk, which offers spectacular views. Consider taking the ferry across from Starcross to Exmouth for a varied experience, though lifting bikes over the railway bridge can be a challenge.

Many of the outdoor trails around Sowton, including sections of the Exe Estuary Trail and paths along the Exeter Ship Canal, are generally dog-friendly. Always ensure dogs are kept under control, especially around wildlife, and check for any specific local restrictions or signage regarding dogs.

The Countess Wear Bridges in Exeter are known for their historical significance, particularly their connection to D-Day. In May 1944, these bridges were used for military training by British paratroops, rehearsing for the crucial glider-borne attack on Pegasus Bridge and Horsa Bridge in Normandy. A memorial plaque at the bridge commemorates this important historical event.