Local Area: The Exe Estuary, its Towns and Villages
The source of the River Exe is near Simonsbath on Exmoor, from where it flows across more than 50 miles of countryside to meet the sea on south Devon's ancient Jurassic Coast. The city of Exeter marks the last stopping point before fresh water meets salt: here, the river becomes tidal, flowing out to one of Devon's most beautiful, dramatic and ecologically diverse estuaries.
Exeter, situated at the northern neck of the estuary, is a cultural and historical city as well as being the County Town of Devon. It has excellent connections with the rest of the country: frequent trains run from Exeter St Davids to London, Bristol and Cornwall, while the M5 provides connections to Bristol, the M4 and the Midlands. Exeter Airport also lies close to the city, off Junction 29 of the M5.
Exeter is also the gateway to the towns and villages that lie south along the estuary. The Avocet line runs on a local rail network from Exeter to towns along the eastern side of the river, and a line from Exeter St Davids traverses the western side down to Starcross and beyond. Exeter City Council runs excellent bus networks, taking passengers all over the warren of towns and villages located south of Exeter itself. Rural and town locations alike are within easy travelling distance of the city and each other.
From the Exe Estuary you are well positioned to explore the surrounding countryside and further afield, from the beautiful tors of Dartmoor to the pine-wooded hills of Haldon Forest Park. Exploring the towns and villages along the estuary will be a treat for nature enthusiasts: reserves are located close to Topsham and Exminster, and the estuary's mud flats and marshes are home to dozens of bird and wildlife species, protected by the Exe Estuary Nature Reserve and the RSPB.
For extensive information on transport, health and education services run by Exeter City Council, visit: http://www.exeter.gov.uk.
Information about council tax bands for the locations you may be interested in can be found here: https://apps02.exeter.gov.uk/publicaccesslive/jsp/default/ct/searchprop.jsp
While each of the town pages below contains information about local education services, you may wish to search more extensively using Devon County Council's up-to-date database of schools or the index of Devon Schools.
Click on the links below for more information about Exeter and the towns and villages along the Exe Estuary.
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