3.8mile walk: Exmouth Seafront to the Geoneedle .Easy going.

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Start of walk: Postcode: EX8 1DS ~ What3Words: ///smart.proclaims.gashes

This is an easy going walk that takes in the stunning views that Exmouth is known for. There is around two miles of seafront and usually plenty of options for refreshments as well as seating so take your time and enjoy. There is parking on the seafront and the Imperial car park.

We start this walk at Mamhead slipway which is a short distance from the marina and just adjacent to the end of St Andrews Road but one could easily also use Victoria Road as they both bring you to the sea. So, just walk along the Esplanade leaving Mamhead slipway behind you and continue all the way to Orcombe Point, approx. 2 miles.

Along the way there is a mixture of old and new. Mamhead slipway itself is a recent upgrade. Further along there is the clock tower, built in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. The Bath House (next to the Premier Inn) is so called because back in the day one could have a bath there and as such this building has been here longer than most, sorry, I don’t have a date. As I write this little guide I remember growing up very near the seafront so to me, the Octagon, Bath House (AKA Deer Leep) and Aby’s (Channel View Café as it was then) and the Harbour View Café further down are all familiar fixtures. The Premier Inn sits on the site of what was Elizabeth Hall

Just before the Harbour View Café and on the other side one can’t miss the Ocean complex which offers bowling and events, this stands on the site of what was Exmouth’s outdoor swimming pool. Next we have the old lifeboat station that now houses Exmouth Rowing Club. Next to this one will find a chill out area that was once a boating lake now filled sand and seating, refreshments often nearby.

A brand new complex, Sideshore. This boasts watersports activities and kit hire as well as a Michael Caines’ restaurant and other cafes – plenty of parking across the road next door to the amusement arcade and crazy golf. As you continue there is a large green space on the left, this is ‘The Maer’, just one of Exmouth’s nature reserves and border’s the cricket ground, tennis courts and two more carparks. By the time you reach the lifeboat station the Maer comes to an end and Orcombe Point is in plain sight, the red sandstone cliffs point out to sea and atop this the geoneedle can just be seen. Keep going or grab some refreshments but at Orcombe point one will find the last ice cream stop and next to it the zigzag walk to the cliff top and geoneedle – made from light Portland stone and celebrating the oldest part of our Jurassic coast, plenty of info there too.

On your return why not turn right at the lifeboat station and keep left to follow the Mear nature reserve. Follow the path behind the yellow gate to take in Madeira and Plantation Walk or stroll through the reserve itself and at the end take the lane to the right which goes behind the amusement arcade as this will take you back to the path between the cricket and bowls clubs, there is a little Tea hut here too. Turn left and pause to watch the bowls if they are playing before following the path to the right and marvel at the dinosaur mural on the back of the Ocean complex. Cross the road and carry on through Plantation Walk, the grey squirrels are remarkably friendly here. A waterwheel marks the end before crossing the road into the Manor Gardens – keep right in the Manor Gardens and you will find the town centre.

This walk can be downloaded as a pdf here.