15 August 2008 - Exe valley cycle ride from Starcross to Exeter docks.

A day out on our bikes starting at Starcross and following the Exe valley to the city picking up the Exe Valley Cycle Trail at Turf Lock.

On the footpath approaching Turf Lock which is the start point of the Exe Valley cycle trail.

Looking back down the footpath which had more bikers than walkers.

Turf Lock. This was once a very busy commercial lock.

A closer look at the lock.

The channel from Turf Lock out into the Exe estuary.

The information board which shows how the canal runs in parallel with the river.

The canal heading north to Exeter.

The next stopping point was at the old Topsham Lock. Topsham is on the opposite side of the river.

Here you can see the canal on the left full of weed and the river on the right.

Another information board.

Our destination. The Quay at Exeter. In the 1800’s this was the fourth largest port in England.

Another view showing an old warehouse. There were a lot of swans here.

The passenger ferry across the basin is hand powered. i.e. the ferryman pulls on a rope to take you across.

The end of the canal and more old warehouses.

At its peak this shot would have been full of large boats.

Almost back at Starcross now. This shot shows how close the railway comes to the river and how important the wall is in preventing flooding of the track.

In Starcross there is still evidence of Brunel’s Atmospheric Railway. This building was once a pumping station for the railway. The atmospheric railway only lasted for one year before being converted to conventional steam power. For a bit more information about the railway follow this link.