The Harbour Inn and Axmouth Walk

The Harbour Inn and Axmouth Walk is a great pub walk along the southern coast of Devon; however, the undulating terrain along the edge of the English Channel makes for a day out on the trails that will involve some brief periods of uphill walking. Be sure to wear comfortable walking footwear for the best footing along the trail. Additionally, the trail borders a golf course, so you will need to remain aware in these areas and keep an eye out for any stray golf balls.

Even with the stretches of uphill walking, this is a pretty laid back route that will leave you satisfied after getting some good exercise and taking in beautiful views across the water. There are also two pubs located near the start/end point of the walk – the Harbour Inn and Ship Inn – that make it easy to turn this quick adventure into a half-day pub walk!

Setting out from the car park, you will initially head west toward the River Axe, following the road as it bends toward the south to run parallel to the water’s edge. Enjoy the lovely views across the flowing river and estuary, eventually reaching a point where Axmouth Road meets up with Squire’s Lane on your left. Turn left here and follow the lane uphill to the east, passing by some cottages and the clubhouse for the Axe Cliff Golf Course before making your way across the course itself.

After travelling through the countryside, you will turn left onto Stepps Lane and follow it for 0.2mi, before turning right onto another footpath. Here, you will descend the hillside slightly and cross over The Combe, following the road to the right for another 0.2mi. Turn left here onto a footpath and keep left to quickly meet up with Higher Lane. Turn left and make your way west, following the lane back into the village of Axmouth, where you can pop into either one of the above-mentioned pubs for some drinks to celebrate having completed The Harbour Inn and Axmouth Walk.

Trail Highlights

Axe Estuary

Although it is now too shallow for navigation, the Axe Estuary was once an important location for shipping interests along the southern coast of England. By the 14th Century, Axmouth – located 1 mile inland – was labelled a major port and accounted for 15% of shipping trade within the whole of England. Eventually, the estuary formed a deposit of silt that rendered it unnavigable and the new harbour was built in 1870 in a location closer to Seaton.