Dawlish, Warren sits like a guardian at the bottom of one of the most wonderful estuaries in the UK and we thought we might mention a few of the places that make this area, in the traditional Heart of Devon, so wonderful.

On our side, the west side of the estuary, a little way up towards Exeter we have Starcross, where the local competitive sailors will argue that their sailing club is one of the oldest if not the oldest in the country. Needless to say they are proud and competitive sailors. Starcross is also home to the last industrial remnant of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s ill-fated Atmospheric Railway, in which the great engineer espoused a fascinating air-driven means of transporting railway carriages between Exeter and Newton Abbot. Sadly, while the technology associated with steam power grew steadily, the atmospheric railway proved to be ineffective, with Brunel losing a staggering £20,000 of his own money as part of a consortium that made up the South Devon Railway. The last pumping house remains at Starcross as sole testament to a great experiment in rail travel.

Yet further toward Exeter, near the village of Kenton, is Powderham Castle which has been home to the Courtenay family and the Earls of Devon since 1066. The history of this family and this place – which includes a dramatic Civil War siege where the Courtenay royalists tried in vain to hold out against parliamentarians – is fascinating, the setting is beautiful and a visit is a must-do. Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until the opening of the season to get full advantage, starting this year on 27 March.

Looking across from Powderham you can see the unusual red sandstone cliffs bordering the delightful, ancient fishing village of Lympstone. This is a fine place to visit, taking in a sheltered harbour and jetty area with the old fishermen’s cottages and sailing club. Excellent pubs are near at hand and there is a real air of welcome.

But these are glimpses of what’s to see. And one way you might consider doing it is by bicycle because nowadays the whole of the estuary can be cycled, with a new section of track taking you across the wide marshy delta of the River Clyst near Topsham.

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