A huge sweep of grazing marsh on the banks of the Exe, bounded by city and sea
The Exe Estuary nature reserve is two areas of coastal grazing marsh that are on opposite sides of the river, not far from the historic city of Exeter. One side of the estuary is Exminster Marshes and the other side is Bowling Green Marsh.
In spring, you can see lapwings and redshanks and listen for rare Cetti's warblers. In winter, during floods or around high tide, there are thousands of waterbirds including black-tailed godwits and wigeons.
Special RSPB cruises to see avocets can also be booked. There's an RSPB shop at the Darts Farm shopping village, just outside Topsham, and close to Bowling Green Marsh, which is an ideal year-round destination. At Darts Farm there's also a farm shop, delicatessen, butchers and various shops.