Topsham Goat Walk

This lovely circular walk around Topsham visits the popular Goat Walk and the deligthful Bowling Green Marsh Nature Reserve. It's a very pretty area with views of the Exe Estuary and some excellent bird watching opportunites.
Walk Report October 13th 2026 By Peter Lawson:
We started at Topsham Quay, where the old boats and historic waterfront give you a good introduction to this attractive estuary town.... The River Exe was looking particularly peaceful, with the tide exposing stretches of mudflat along the opposite bank. Before setting off properly, we wandered along the quay and took in the view towards the mouth of the estuary. There are cafés and pubs nearby for later, including the Lighter Inn, which has outdoor seating overlooking the water.
Following the riverside south, we came to the Topsham Museum, housed in a group of old buildings overlooking the Exe. It is worth stopping to look at if you have time, as the displays cover the town's maritime and local history, as well as memorabilia connected with the film star Vivien Leigh. The museum adds a little historical interest to what might otherwise seem like a simple waterside stroll, and its position beside the estuary is lovely.
Beyond the museum, we joined the Goat Walk itself. Despite the name, we didn't see any goats, but the narrow riverside path more than made up for their absence. Pretty cottages line parts of the route, and there are benches where you can sit and watch the changing light over the water. We spotted little egrets picking their way along the muddy edges, while other birds moved across the estuary. The smell of the mud at low tide was quite strong in places, but that is part of the character of a working estuary rather than a manicured parkland walk.
At Riversmeet House, we turned inland towards the RSPB Bowling Green Marsh Nature Reserve, where the River Clyst meets the Exe. This was the best section for birdwatching, with marshland, pools and channels attracting a variety of waders and waterbirds. We kept an eye out for avocets and lapwings, and visited the bird hide for a better view across the reserve. Little egrets were particularly noticeable, standing out against the darker mud and reeds. The paths around the reserve are a welcome change from the narrow Goat Walk, and it is worth allowing extra time here if you enjoy watching wildlife.
We followed Bowling Green Road around the edge of the marsh and continued towards the River Clyst before making our way back along Monmouth Street to the quay. One useful tip is to watch carefully for the reserve path at the end of the seawall section; cutting across the field can mean missing the riverside and marshland part that makes this circular route worthwhile. The walk is short enough to enjoy at an easy pace, but there is plenty to see if you stop to watch the birds and take in the views.
Back at Topsham Quay, we finished with a look around the waterfront before settling down for a drink.
The Exe Estuary Trail passes through Topsham so you could pick up this excellent shared cycle and walking path to continue your walk. Heading south will take you to Exton and the village of Lympstone. It's another attractive riverside village which includes an Italianate riverfront brick clock tower built around 1885. If you head north you'll soon come into the city of Exeter.
Postcode: EX3 0HZ
Pubs and More Info
On the eastern side of Topsham you could pay a visit to the splendid Darts Farm. The popular attraction includes a Sculpture Trail, a maize maze, a Farm Walk, a Nature Trail, a Bird Hide and a variety of animals.

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Exe Estuary Trail Exmouth to Lympstone Walk Darts Farm

Photos

Topsham quay and the Lighter Inn. Note the old "Kings Beam" to the left of the blue hulled boat, in front of the Inn. This was the weighing beam for Customs purposes. Her Majesty's Customs address to this day is still Kingsbeam House, London.

Ferry Road from Topsham Quay. Looking away from the River Exe to the point where Ferry Road heads away from the bottom of Fore Street.

Topsham from Goat Walk

Goat Walk, Topsham. These benches give a not too comfortable place to sit and enjoy great views across the River Exe.

Cyclamen by the Goat Walk, Topsham. In a narrow belt of woodland that runs beside the Goat Walk between the Strand and Riversmeet House.

Bowling Green Lane. Bowling Green Lane is a small road that skirts the edge of the Bowling Green Marsh RSPB bird sanctuary at the outlet of the River Clyst. It's generally quiet and popular for leisure walks as it only has vehicular access at one end; the other, at Riversmeet House, gives pedestrian access to Topsham via the Goat Walk footpath.

Bowling Green Marsh taken from the bird hide. The submerged areas follow the lines of drains across the River Clyst flood plain. In the background, the Exeter-Exmouth railway line crosses the river. Beyond, the ground rises to Ebford.

Bowling Green Marsh Nature Reserve. The entrance to the reserve which has been in the care of the RSPB since 1989.

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