Special Events
Various events often take place on the Estuary from festivals to Regattas. Dates of future events can be found on our events page calendar while further details and information and pictures from past events can be found here
Holiday Heaven at the Castle
Powderham Castle has this summer sewn up. With six themed weeks to enjoy from Sunday 24 July to Friday 2 September you’ll want to get a season ticket. Each week has it’s own entertainer, activity session and themed treasure trail to follow around the grounds. 
Guests throughout the summer will include the Castle’s very own Mad Hatter, Robin Hood and Capt Jack Sparrow as well as a few new characters: a couple of mad scientists and a friendly dragon! Children will be eager to dress up for the occasions, whether it be a young pirate, heroic knight or a beautiful princess.
Simon Fishwick, Estate Director:
‘Our themed weeks are still as popular as ever and a great addition to what is already a fantastic family day out. It is excellent value for money and you don’t have to worry if you can’t fit it all in as you can return on another day for free*. We are looking forward to a superb summer, making lots of families very happy.’
Tickets for the sessions, taking place at 11.30am, 1.00pm and 2.30pm, will be issued on arrival.
In addition to the themed activities, there is a daily bird of prey display at 3.30pm, friendly animals to cuddle and an adventure castle in the Walled Garden Play Area & Pets Corner as well as the chance to earn a fantastic medal on our NEW Nature Trail. And its ALL included in the admission price!
Powderham Castle is in Kenton near Exeter EX6 8JQ
For more information call 01626 890243 or visit www.powderham.co.uk
*Simply validate your ticket before you leave.
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The Exe Estuary Trail Tour
The Exe estuary is a superb place to see many bird species and is a designated Special Protection Area (SPA) due to its internationally important numbers of wintering waders and wildfowl. Along the eastern bank runs the Exe Estuary Trail that links up the Bowling Green Marsh and the Exmouth Local Nature Reserve. This section of the trail runs for 5 miles and offers very good access off the main road on a safe and purpose built cycle track and has several lookouts along the route.
This cycle tour enables even the complete beginner to experience the full length of the estuary and its diverse habitat within a 2 ½ hour ride. The main aim of the tour is to enjoy and learn about some of the many birds that use the Exe estuary, whilst gaining confidence in cycling. The tours are led by our professional cycle instructors and guided by RSPB experts, to create a fascinating wildlife tour that is interesting, invigorating and perfect for contributing to your active lifestyle!
An expert bird guide will be with you throughout the ride, pointing out the different species as well as a professional cycle instructor to make your riding as safe as possible and to give you handy cycling tips to make your cycling more enjoyable as well as to lend a hand should you have a puncture or mechanical fault. From a wildlife perspective, the tour is pitched for all standards from the novice through to the more experienced birdwatcher to give a good introduction to the key species that are present along the estuary.
Species that we hope to see along our journey include various ducks such as the handsome wigeon and pintail, the striking ‘goose-like’ shellduck or the tiny teal and maybe even the beautiful red-breasted merganser with its unique ‘saw’ bill. Add to this numerous groups of wading bird like the elegant black-tailed godwit and avocet, unmistakable oystercatcher and curlew and the more challenging knot, grey plover and dunlin. Spectacular flocks of Brent geese should be in abundance and of course we shall keep a special eye out for the peregrine causing chaos amongst wader and wildfowl feeding frenzy to make for a truly memorable day!
All tours will run from the RSPB shop at Darts Farm and run straight along the dedicated cycle path. Please bring your own bike; there is ample car parking available on site. You will need to ensure that you have a suitable and safe bike; we recommend you wear an approved helmet, and appropriate clothing for the weather – remember it may well be wet and windy, the birds don’t mind but you will need to keep warm! You will be required to complete a questionnaire to inform the instructor of any medical conditions that may affect your riding. A snack and drink may be worth bringing as well as your own binoculars/telescope if you have one, although they are available to hire at the shop.
Reserving your place is essential and can be done simply by calling the RSPB shop on 01392 879438. All places will be given on a first come first served basis and we can run Tours with a minimum of 3 people and maximum of 12. Hot drinks will be available after the ride where you can speak with RSPB staff if you have any queries, or wish to find out more about local RSPB activities or events.
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Bespoke tours can be arranged for you/your organisation, as well as 1:1 cycle training
For more info please visit www.cycledevon.info
Contact organiser Nick Gillon on 07813 314274 for further details
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Estuary Cycle Trail Opening – Exmouth to Lympstone
Friday 29th February saw the official opening of the Exmouth to Lympstone Exe Estuary cycle trail with local Councillors and East Devon’s MP Hugo Swire at the ribbon cutting. Hugo Swire commented, “This is a great asset for both local people and tourists. I welcome anything that encourages people to get on their bike and out to see the countryside.
This was followed by a celebratory festival on Saturday 1st
March which welcomed cyclists and walkers to experience the path for themselves. Marquees and stalls were erected in Lympstone and Exmouth with a silver band at Lympstone and an African drumming workshop at Exmouth as well as a stunt cyclist display. For those completing the trail a free goody bag was available courtesy of Devon County Council.
Information stalls were available at Exmouth from the RSPB, Devon Wildlife Trust, Stuart Line cruises and many more including
the Exe Estuary Management Partnership.
Exe Estuary Officer, Jenny Lockett, teamed up with Nik Ward from Natural England to talk about the Exe Estuary and make personalised badges with some of the younger visitors.
A fantastic day was had by all with prizes including a Raleigh Bike kindly donated by Exmouth Cycle Hire.
The path has proved incredibly popular already with more than 15,000 people using it since it unofficially opened in December 2007.