Axminster River Axe Walk
The market town of Axminster sits in a nice location in the valley of the River Axe and within the East Devon AONB. This circular walk takes you along the River Axe before visiting a pretty local nature reserve. It's about a 5 mile walk with a moderate climb up to the nature reserve which sits in an elevated position to the south east of the town.
The walk starts just west of the train station where you can pick up a public footpath heading south west along the river towards Higher Abbey Farm. Here you'll also find the remains of the Ciscertcian Newenham Abbey.
The route then follows Abbey Gate Lane east to Wyke Green before coming to the Trinity Hill Nature Reserve. The reserve includes heathland and woodland with birds such as Nightjar and Dartford Warbler to look out for. There's lovely views from the reserve over the countryside of the East Devon AONB.
After exploring the reserve you retrace your steps to Wyke Green before following the Wyke Road back into Axminster.
Axminster Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Axminster Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Axminster OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Axminster Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Lamb Inn is a good choice for some post walk refreshments. The friendly pub has a lovely garden area with nice views to enjoy with your meal. You can find the pub on the Lyme Road with a postcode of EX13 5BE for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The walk is a good one for dogs with the river trails and the heathland and woodland in the nature reserve. In this area you are asked to please keep them under close control due to the wildlife. The Lamb Inn mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The River Yarty also runs past the town. If you head west of Higher Abbey Farm on this route then you can link up with a footpath running alongside it.
A few miles south west of the town you'll come to the attractive town of Colyton. There's nice paths through the River Coly Valley and a wonderful heritage tramway to try here.
The town is not far from the splendid Jurassic Coast where there are a whole host of walking routes in the nearby towns of Lyme Regis and Seaton. See the Lyme Regis to Charmouth Walk, Lyme Regis to Golden Cap Walk, Lyme Regis to Seaton Undercliff Walk and the Seaton to Beer Walk for more details.
Just to the east there's the National Trust's Lamberts Castle to Coneys Castle Walk. The walk visits historic old hill forts where you can enjoy some stunning views over the countryside of the Marshwood Vale.
To the north lies the Blackdown Hills AONB where there are also lots of good opportunites for walkers.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Devon Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
River Axe. Looking south from the western end of Bow Bridge, Axminster.
Meander on River Axe. The cattle are standing within a meander, on what is likely to become an island in a very few years, as the river is rapidly eroding the neck. The houses in the background are on Willhay Lane, at the northern edge of Axminster.
Trinity Hill Nature Reserve
The ford across the River Yarty at Higher Westwater, in the Devon civil parish of Axminster. An old crossing of the river which looks calm enough here but in winter flows much more vigorously. By the side of the ford is a footbridge. In earlier centuries there was a tannery at Higher Westwater
Axminster, Queen Victoria Jubilee Memorial
Houses on Castle Hill with a view of the fields beyond.
Church of St Mary
The Lamb Inn