The Great Topsham March

The Great Topsham March

It's a sunny Saturday with scattered clouds and gorgeous blue skies. What a perfect day for a walk. 

I made my way from Exeter's city centre to the quay, where I start my walk along the River Exe down to Topsham and I've decided to name this walk "The Great Topsham March". Sounds cool, doesn't it?    

The quay is pretty busy, with people drinking and relaxing under the sunlight. I stroll past the fish market, where a band is performing (Didn't understand a word of what they're singing.) and make my way down to Trews Weir. 

Trews Weir

Trews Weir was built to raise the water level for the Exeter ship canal, which is built by John Trew of Glamorgan (Hence the name Trews Weir). The weir was also used to provide water for a fulling mill, a cotton mill and a paper mill. You can learn more about the weir's history here. 

I then made my way across Belle Isle Park, walking past runners, dog walkers and the elderly, and end up in Duckes Meadow, one of the university's sports grounds. 

The university sure does have a massive sports ground. I wonder when will the council ask the uni to sell them a part of that land so that they can sell it to private student accommodation companies to build more student accommodations. (This is a reference to the council's plan to build more private student accommodation using the old bus station's land)

After I walked past Duckes Meadow and managed to escape millions of tiny flying insects, I arrived at Mill Lane, where the Countess Wear Paper Mill is situated.

The remains of the Countess Wear Paper Mill

The paper mill, now a grade II listed building, once made high quality paper using rags imported from London and Holland, it even produced paper for 5-pound notes for private banks. Quite cool, right? 

Past the paper mill, I continue my way onto the Countess Wear Road and stroll past some posh houses along the way and past three locals that are also walking to Topsham (More about them later).

I then stopped at Village Green to admire the view of the River Exe.

River Exe

After I walked past village green, a gorgeous Georgian house caught my eye.

Countess Wear House

This is Countess Wear House, also a Grade II listed building, with a grand entrance which is spoiled by the presence of a grey range rover. What a bummer. 

I then made my way across the busy Bridge Road and onto Glasshouse Lane, home to a glasshouse. Well, used to be. Unfortunately, the glasshouse is demolished in 1793, and no traces of the glasshouse are left, except the name of the road "Glasshouse Lane" which is the only thing that indicates an existence of a glasshouse, ever.  

Lower Wear

I then continue past a playing field in Lower Wear and saw a sign saying "Riverside Walk". I followed the sign with no hesitation, and I reunited with the three locals again. This is when they told me that they're also heading to Topsham, and they also don't really know where they are going. I told them that I was making content for my blog, and I can instantly tell from their facial expressions that they are bored and couldn't care less. So, I quickly stopped talking and kept walking (who else but me to bore the locals, right?), until I was stopped by a flooded mud road in front of me. 

Apparently, this is because of the rising tide and that means we all have to turn back and get to Topsham through the main road, which is a bit further away from the river. 

I eventually made my way onto Exeter Road, walked past Topsham Town FC's field and under the M5, I stumbled across the university's other sports ground. 

Sign of Topsham Sports Ground

Then I walked past some new housing estate, a luxury care home, with some elderly drinking tea by the window (How more British can you get than this?), and finally, Topsham Rugby FC's field. At this point, I have officially made it to Topsham's High Street.

Yes, the P is upside down.

Topsham really is a posh little village. However, I'm too tired to properly explore the village so I went straight to the train station to get a train back to central Exeter. 

This is certainly one of the most scenic walks in Exeter and if you're in town and wants to have a go, here's some useful information for you:

Map:

Note: You might not be able to walk across the Riverside Walk in Lower Wear as the paths can be flooded and it might not be safe to go across. (The highlighted route shown below) 

The walk should take around 1hr and 30mins, about 6km (3.7 miles). It's a fairly easy walk with slight gradients that could be easily managed (at least for me). 

Anyway, do have a go if you found yourself in Exeter! Take care and I'll see you in the next post!

(P.S.: Part 2 of Ryan in Wales is coming soon I promise.)