The Topsham Cottage
The Exe Estuary: Avocet Trainline
These are the Avocet trainline stops from Exeter to Exmouth. Topsham is roughly half way in between - 15 minutes from each.
You can also cycle the stunning 10 mile trail from Exeter's Quay along the estuary all the way to Exmouth, passing the same trainline stops.
Topsham is small and very charming historical harbour town, voted Best Place to Live in the Southwest (Times, 2019).
You can walk from my cottage to the end of the harbour in just 15 minutes, but it will likely take you longer because there are so many lovely shops that will catch your eye on the way - art, antiques, charity, boutique clothing and jewellery, interiors etc.
Topsham is also highly regarded locally known for the plentiful choice and range of pubs, restaurants, cafes and bars.
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Topsham
Topsham is small and very charming historical harbour town, voted Best Place to Live in the Southwest (Times, 2019).
You can walk from my cottage to the end of the harbour in just 15 minutes, but it will likely take you longer because there are so many lovely shops that will catch your eye on the way - art, antiques, charity, boutique clothing and jewellery, interiors etc.
Topsham is also highly regarded locally known for the plentiful choice and range of pubs, restaurants, cafes and bars.
Exmouth offers a 3 mile stretch of sandy beach and all the seaside delights you'd expect - ice creams, fish and chips, watersport rentals and plenty of venues with seafront views.
As the biggest town in Devon, there's a whole lot more to explore with hidden gems of almost every type of cuisine - Mexican, Thai, Indian, Nepalese, Italian, Spanish, American, and, of course, platters of seafood! There's also plenty of pubs, bars and clubs, whether you fancy gastro cuisine, spit and sawdust, cocktails, specialised gin, local brewed beer, sport or karaoke - it's a great night out!
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Exmouth
Exmouth offers a 3 mile stretch of sandy beach and all the seaside delights you'd expect - ice creams, fish and chips, watersport rentals and plenty of venues with seafront views.
As the biggest town in Devon, there's a whole lot more to explore with hidden gems of almost every type of cuisine - Mexican, Thai, Indian, Nepalese, Italian, Spanish, American, and, of course, platters of seafood! There's also plenty of pubs, bars and clubs, whether you fancy gastro cuisine, spit and sawdust, cocktails, specialised gin, local brewed beer, sport or karaoke - it's a great night out!
Exeter is Devon's capital city! It's small but affluent, and surprisingly cosmopolitan!
The Cathedral is in the heart of the city, right off the High St where there are many other historical buildings and cobbled streets with boutique stores, such as Gandy St which was the inspiration for J K Rowling's Diagon Alley (however, I would avoid the gimic Harry Potter venue!). You can also take a tour of the underground passages of the city.
At the bottom of town, you can wander down to the Quay for a handful of other shop, cafes, and a good selection of waterside restaurants. You can walk/run/cycle/canoe/kayak/row/paddleboard the River Exe all the way out to the estuary and then boat back to the towns either side - Topsham, Exmouth, Starcross.
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Exeter
Exeter is Devon's capital city! It's small but affluent, and surprisingly cosmopolitan!
The Cathedral is in the heart of the city, right off the High St where there are many other historical buildings and cobbled streets with boutique stores, such as Gandy St which was the inspiration for J K Rowling's Diagon Alley (however, I would avoid the gimic Harry Potter venue!). You can also take a tour of the underground passages of the city.
At the bottom of town, you can wander down to the Quay for a handful of other shop, cafes, and a good selection of waterside restaurants. You can walk/run/cycle/canoe/kayak/row/paddleboard the River Exe all the way out to the estuary and then boat back to the towns either side - Topsham, Exmouth, Starcross.
Food scene
Right outside Exeter Central station - the best (locally roasted) coffee and homemade cake in town. Vegan and gluten free options. YUM!
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The Exploding Bakery Cafe
Queen StreetRight outside Exeter Central station - the best (locally roasted) coffee and homemade cake in town. Vegan and gluten free options. YUM!
Quick, easy and everytime delicious noodle bar. Beats Wagamamas for me - and it's independent.
Tyepyedong
175 Sidwell StQuick, easy and everytime delicious noodle bar. Beats Wagamamas for me - and it's independent.
Choice of good restaurants:
The Stable - pizza, pies and huge selection of cider
Turtle Bay - average food but great Happy Hour cocktails
Absurd Bird - bottomless chicken wings!
Comptoir Libanais - lebanese delights
Pho - Vietnamese (that satay sauce...)
Franco Manca - unbelievable pizza
also... Oggy Oggy pasties with the world's friendliest owners!
Queen Street
Queen StreetChoice of good restaurants:
The Stable - pizza, pies and huge selection of cider
Turtle Bay - average food but great Happy Hour cocktails
Absurd Bird - bottomless chicken wings!
Comptoir Libanais - lebanese delights
Pho - Vietnamese (that satay sauce...)
Franco Manca - unbelievable pizza
also... Oggy Oggy pasties with the world's friendliest owners!
Just off the Cathedral yard, it's like stepping into Morocco - sit with cushions on the floor, grab hookah pipe and smoke, order a feast of mezze and enjoy the Moroccan music and an authentic decor.
Al-Farid
3 Cathedral YardJust off the Cathedral yard, it's like stepping into Morocco - sit with cushions on the floor, grab hookah pipe and smoke, order a feast of mezze and enjoy the Moroccan music and an authentic decor.
VEGAN. Great spot for coffee and cake, brunch or any daytime feeding!
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The Plant Cafe
1 Cathedral YardVEGAN. Great spot for coffee and cake, brunch or any daytime feeding!
A very worthwhile 20-30 min walk from the Quay (although you can also drive), this pub is great all year around.
In the summer, you'll find many Extonians in the huge garden where you can throw down a blanket to sit on the banks, under the trees or on their benches with riverside decking. The BBQ shed is often open, or you can order homemade pub classics from inside the bar.
In the winter, you can sit by one of the roaring fire places, order a roast and play board games. Or just read a book.
Note, all food and drink must be purchased from the venue. But prices are reasonable and they do wicked homemade pork pies and scotch eggs!
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Double Locks
A very worthwhile 20-30 min walk from the Quay (although you can also drive), this pub is great all year around.
In the summer, you'll find many Extonians in the huge garden where you can throw down a blanket to sit on the banks, under the trees or on their benches with riverside decking. The BBQ shed is often open, or you can order homemade pub classics from inside the bar.
In the winter, you can sit by one of the roaring fire places, order a roast and play board games. Or just read a book.
Note, all food and drink must be purchased from the venue. But prices are reasonable and they do wicked homemade pork pies and scotch eggs!
Everyone's favourite Exeter restaurant - the food, atmosphere, service and wine is always impeccable.
Whether you order pasta, steak, seafood or calzone, you won't be disappointed. It's an absolutely gorgeous place!
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Harry's Restaurant
86 Longbrook StEveryone's favourite Exeter restaurant - the food, atmosphere, service and wine is always impeccable.
Whether you order pasta, steak, seafood or calzone, you won't be disappointed. It's an absolutely gorgeous place!
Spit and sawdust with a mostly carnivorous offering - burgers, sliders, milkshakes...it still maintains some Topsham elegance, but very much for the hungry.
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Pig And Pallet
10 Topsham QuaySpit and sawdust with a mostly carnivorous offering - burgers, sliders, milkshakes...it still maintains some Topsham elegance, but very much for the hungry.
My favourite Topsham pub - mostly in Winter cosy by the fire, but it always offers bags of character and incredible pub food.
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The Globe
34 Fore StMy favourite Topsham pub - mostly in Winter cosy by the fire, but it always offers bags of character and incredible pub food.
Stunning estuary views from the patio, good (sea)food and a real holiday atmosphere when the sun's out. You'll feel like a proper Topsham local.
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The Passage House Inn
Ferry RoadStunning estuary views from the patio, good (sea)food and a real holiday atmosphere when the sun's out. You'll feel like a proper Topsham local.
Sara's Petite Cuisine
80 Fore StLife changing croissants.
You can mostly only get here by boat, ferry (from Topsham), by canoe/kayak or bike and it's well worth the journey to this fantastic pub with great food, drinks and scenery.
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The Turf
You can mostly only get here by boat, ferry (from Topsham), by canoe/kayak or bike and it's well worth the journey to this fantastic pub with great food, drinks and scenery.
You'll never have fish and chips as good as this, fact!
There's one on Exmouth Waterfront, Exeter Quay and dotted about some other seaside towns in Devon and Cornwall.
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Rockfish - Exmouth
Pier HeadYou'll never have fish and chips as good as this, fact!
There's one on Exmouth Waterfront, Exeter Quay and dotted about some other seaside towns in Devon and Cornwall.
A wonderful independent restaurant for a treat and if you fancy something a bit fancier.
Plenty of seafood of course, but also modern British classics e.g. pork belly, beautifully presented.
The owners are real darlings and the service is very personal.
The Chronicle Restaurant
3 Chapel HillA wonderful independent restaurant for a treat and if you fancy something a bit fancier.
Plenty of seafood of course, but also modern British classics e.g. pork belly, beautifully presented.
The owners are real darlings and the service is very personal.
El Olivo
41 StrandGreat tapas!
Gorgeous seaside view from this pub, and a great Sunday roast too!
Particularly good for enjoying a good bottle of wine from the balcony on a sunny day.
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Grove
EsplanadeGorgeous seaside view from this pub, and a great Sunday roast too!
Particularly good for enjoying a good bottle of wine from the balcony on a sunny day.
No. 1 brunch and coffee&cake stop in Devon, in my humble bumble opinion. A MUST.
The biggest selection of vegan, dairy free and gluten free cakes and menu options I've ever seen!
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Bumble and Bee
Alexandra TerraceNo. 1 brunch and coffee&cake stop in Devon, in my humble bumble opinion. A MUST.
The biggest selection of vegan, dairy free and gluten free cakes and menu options I've ever seen!
Leisure
The Quay Climbing Centre
Haven RoadHire bikes or canoes/kayaks to experience the Quay at its best!
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Saddles & Paddles
The QuayHire bikes or canoes/kayaks to experience the Quay at its best!
It's Exeter Underground - fascinating and a gem often missed even by the locals. Hope you don't mind caves...
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Underground Passages
2 Paris StIt's Exeter Underground - fascinating and a gem often missed even by the locals. Hope you don't mind caves...
Home of Premiership Rugby's Exeter Chiefs!
Hop on the train towards Exeter, get off at Digby and Sowton, grab a pint and get your rugger on.
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Sandy Park Stadium
Sandy Park WayHome of Premiership Rugby's Exeter Chiefs!
Hop on the train towards Exeter, get off at Digby and Sowton, grab a pint and get your rugger on.
Home of local West Country food & drink and beautifully crafted, luxury gift, home and lifestyle products.
You might bankrupt yourself, there are possibly too many good things!
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Darts Farm Restaurant
Home of local West Country food & drink and beautifully crafted, luxury gift, home and lifestyle products.
You might bankrupt yourself, there are possibly too many good things!
A 25m outside pool open all day, but I recommend joining the Nutters Club for an early morning swim from 6-8.30am.
https://www.topshampool.com/times-prices
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Topsham Swimming Pool
A 25m outside pool open all day, but I recommend joining the Nutters Club for an early morning swim from 6-8.30am.
https://www.topshampool.com/times-prices
This might seem an unusual spot for a day out, but I can almost guarantee you'll leave feeling good!
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Donkey Sanctuary
Dunscombe LaneThis might seem an unusual spot for a day out, but I can almost guarantee you'll leave feeling good!
If you're fond of a National Trust venue, this place offers stunning walks in their vast garden grounds.
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Killerton House
If you're fond of a National Trust venue, this place offers stunning walks in their vast garden grounds.
Great day out for the whole family - think death slides, waterpark, petting zoo etc.
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Crealy Theme Park & Resort
Sidmouth RoadGreat day out for the whole family - think death slides, waterpark, petting zoo etc.
Walk, or hire a bike or segway and take one of their 5 trails. Plenty of stops for picnics with a cafe on site.
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Haldon Forest
Walk, or hire a bike or segway and take one of their 5 trails. Plenty of stops for picnics with a cafe on site.
Tree top rope climbing, for those who love adventure and aren't scared of heights!
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Go Ape Haldon (Treetop Challenge, Zip Lines, High Ropes)
Tree top rope climbing, for those who love adventure and aren't scared of heights!
Boozin'
Enjoy locally brewed beers, ales and ciders either outside along the Quay or inside the slightly spit and sawdust, yet also chic lounge.
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Topsham Brewery & Taproom
Haven RoadEnjoy locally brewed beers, ales and ciders either outside along the Quay or inside the slightly spit and sawdust, yet also chic lounge.
National award-winning cocktails that will blow your mind, in this tiny, hidden gem. You will lose all senses of time and era here!
Doctor Ink 's Curiosities
43 The QuayNational award-winning cocktails that will blow your mind, in this tiny, hidden gem. You will lose all senses of time and era here!
A proper pub with Topsham's best selection of beers and games. You'll have a great time, enough said.
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The Passage House Inn
Ferry RoadA proper pub with Topsham's best selection of beers and games. You'll have a great time, enough said.
In my top 10 pubs of all time. Huge selection of beers - many brewed in house and top class burgers from the Ruby kitchen. The staff are just all out lovely people.
Always a great atmosphere - any time of day, any day of the week. Top pub quiz on a Monday night too!
Brewery tours can be arranged if you contact the owners.
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The Grapevine Brewhouse
2 Victoria RdIn my top 10 pubs of all time. Huge selection of beers - many brewed in house and top class burgers from the Ruby kitchen. The staff are just all out lovely people.
Always a great atmosphere - any time of day, any day of the week. Top pub quiz on a Monday night too!
Brewery tours can be arranged if you contact the owners.
Modern-feel bar, often with live music and a HUGE selection of gin from all over the world.
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Spoken
43 StrandModern-feel bar, often with live music and a HUGE selection of gin from all over the world.
Eco wins
Zero waste store - all the inspiration you need to set you on a plastic free journey.
While you're at it, look up for Plastic Free Exeter on Facebook and see if you can join one of their Quayside litter picks - usually the last Sunday morning of the month.
Nourish of Topsham
56 Fore StZero waste store - all the inspiration you need to set you on a plastic free journey.
While you're at it, look up for Plastic Free Exeter on Facebook and see if you can join one of their Quayside litter picks - usually the last Sunday morning of the month.
Sightseeing
Nacionalno povjerenstvo - Castle Drogo
DriveStunning walks and views.
Exeter Cathedral
1 The CloistersExeter's greatest landmark!