Exmouth by the Sea: Beach, Nature and Special Experiences
Accommodation in Exmouth
Exmouth combines beach, nature and culture in an unusually diverse way. At Exmouth Beach, activities range from paddleboarding, kayaking and water skiing to inflatable water activities. Visitors can also go crabbing in natural rock pools. Those looking for a holiday cottage in Exmouth can therefore choose between active days on the water, walks through the countryside and a varied cultural programme.
Seafront Promenade and Culture at Exmouth Pavilion
A prominent meeting place by the sea is Exmouth Pavilion. The theatre is opposite Exmouth’s sandy beach and directly on the seafront promenade. The Art Deco venue has 541 seats and offers live music, touring theatre, comedy, ballet, tribute shows and family performances throughout the year. This makes it possible to combine a day at the beach with an evening at the theatre, without limiting the trip to a single activity.
The Pavilion Gardens also regularly bring music to the town: every Saturday and Sunday afternoon during the summer, they host free live music. This gives families and travel groups with different interests a pleasant choice between a relaxing stay outdoors and a scheduled cultural programme. Exmouth Tours also offers a walking tour focusing on Exmouth’s past and present. The route is just over 2.5 kilometres long and takes around 90 minutes.
Nature at the Exe Estuary and on the Jurassic Coast
The landscape around Exmouth reveals several distinctly different sides. The Maer in Exmouth is a local nature reserve. At the southern end of the Exe Estuary lies Exmouth Local Nature Reserve, an area of sand and mud shaped by the tides. These two natural areas give the trip its own rhythm, combining the coast, open spaces and the influence of the tides.
Anyone wishing to explore Exmouth by bicycle will find the Exe Estuary Trail, an almost entirely traffic-free and largely flat cycle route. The trail runs around the Exe Estuary from Dawlish to Exmouth. Along the cycle route leading from Exmouth, the Exe Estuary is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area and Ramsar site.
At Exmouth’s western end lies Orcombe Point, which is also at the beginning of the Jurassic Coast. The Geoneedle stands there, built from rock types found along the World Heritage Coast. This location adds a geological perspective on the coast to the beach and estuary experiences. Depending on the type of day you want, you can therefore combine water sports, cycling, nature watching, history and culture in different ways.
Which Location Suits Your Trip
When looking for accommodation in Exmouth, it helps to decide on your personal priorities in advance. Those who mainly want to combine events and days at the beach should focus on the options around the Pavilion and seafront promenade. For a more active stay, the Exe Estuary Trail, the beach with its water sports facilities and the landscape around the estuary are the main attractions. Those who prefer a slower pace can include nature reserves, rock pools or an Exmouth Tours walking tour in their daily plans. Above all, the right holiday cottage should suit your preferred daily routine and the make-up of your travel group.
If you would like to compare other places in addition to Exmouth, here is a compact selection: South Brent, Thorverton, Hennock, South Molton, Saint Giles in the Wood, South Pool, Chagford and Exebridge.
For the higher-level travel overview: Devon.
