Interesting information
The Taw-Torridge Estuary is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a very important component of the North Devon Biosphere Reserve.
Lapwing
Copyright Natural England - Julian Dowse
The Taw-Torridge Estuary
- About this route
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This extensive estuary has a typical range of saltmarsh communities, with plants such as glasswort, sea aster and sea rush all present. However, it is the large areas of mudflats and sandbanks that are revealed at low tide which are the major interest. Together with the saltmarsh, these provide a rich source of food for overwintering and migratory waders. These include important numbers of curlew, golden plover and lapwing, with other species including redshank and oystercatcher also abundant. The total number of waders present at any one time can reach over 20,000.
The estuary is flanked by the Tarka Trail, from which a wide variety of habitats can be seen, including sand dunes, saltmarsh, woodland, grazing marsh and meadows.
- Getting Around
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On foot and bike: The South West Coast Path and the Tarka Trail run on either side of the estuary (at this point, the Tarka Trail is the route of the long-distance Devon Coast to Coast cycle route).
By train and bus: Barnstaple, at the head of the estuary, has a train station. There are good bus links to Barnstaple and Bideford, visit the Travel Devon website for the latest bus and train times.
- Facilities
- Footpaths and cycle paths on both sides. Bird hide on the east bank. The Tarka Trail is wheelchair-friendly along the estuary.
- Terrain
- Footpaths. Cycleways. Sections of wheelchair-friendly paths.
- Accessibility
You can explore more in this area
long-walks
329kms
South West Coast Path
Over the centuries fishermen, coastguards and smugglers have helped to create this historic path – now Britain’s longest National Trail -…
- East Devon Way
- A Visit to the Hangman
- Exe Estuary Trail
- The Tarka Trail (Braunton – Meeth)
- A walk in Hope
- Devon Coast to Coast NCN27
- Braunton Burrows
- Devon’s Little Switzerland
- South Coast NCN 2
- Templer Way
- John Musgrave Heritage Trail
- Two Moors Way (Devon’s Coast to Coast)
- Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs
- The Otter Estuary
- Berry Head
- Wembury VMCA
- North Devon VMCA
- Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs
- Budleigh Salterton Cliffs and the Otter Estuary
- Berry Head to Sharkham Point
- Wembury
- North Devon’s deadly coast
- Noss Mayo – Revelstoke Carriage Drive
- Dawlish to Dawlish Warren
- Bolberry Down
- Budleigh to Otterton Mill
- Exe Estuary Trail: Exmouth to Lympstone
- Northam Burrows Country Park
- Baggy Point
160kms
Two Moors Way (Devon’s Coast to Co..
Running for just over 100 miles/160km between Ivybridge in the south and Lynmouth in the north, this famous path links the…
261kms
Tarka Trail walking route
Inspired by Henry Williamson’s much loved novel ‘Tarka the Otter’ which was based on real places, this 163 miles/261kms recreation route…
- The Taw-Torridge Estuary
- Eggesford Forest
- Ernest Bassett Walk
- South West Coast Path
- The Tarka Trail (Braunton – Meeth)
- The Granite Way
- Devon Coast to Coast NCN27
- Braunton Burrows
- Devon’s Little Switzerland
- West Country Way NCN 3
- Halsdon
- Two Moors Way (Devon’s Coast to Coast)
- The Granite Way
- Braunton Burrows
- North Devon’s deadly coast
- Northam Burrows Country Park
- Baggy Point
cycle
52kms
The Tarka Trail (Braunton – Meeth)
Stretching for over 52km / 32 miles from Braunton to Barnstaple, then to Instow, Bideford, Great Torrington and on to Meeth. …
wildlife
Braunton Burrows
Lying at the entrance to the Taw-Torridge Estuary, Braunton Burrows is one of the most important sand dune systems in Britain…
accessible-walks
1.6kms
Northam Burrows Country Park
The Northern Burrows is a scientifically important area which juts out into the mouth of the estuary. It is a site…
37kms
Tarka Trail Easy Walk
Entirely traffic free, this part of the Tarka Trail can be enjoyed in sections to suit your group. This off-road route stretches for over…