Axe Estuary
The Axe Estuary is well served for Disabled
Birders viewing opportunities.
Seaton Marshes Local Nature Reserve SY 247906.
This reserve is owned and managed by East Devon
District Council, and the Reserve Officer is
Fraser Rush, Tel. 01395 516551. There are a
number of volunteer wardens.
There are two possible parking areas:
a) In the public car park close to Seaton
Tramway Station. The cost there is 60p per
hour, and
b) close to the entrance to the reserve at the
bottom of Salt Pan Lane, where there is limited space, but
it is free. You can drive down Hillymead, off
Colyford Road in Seaton, next to the Football Club.
Carry on down
Salt Pan Lane, to the sewage works. There are
toilets by Seaton Tramway, including disabled.
The reserve is open at all times
From the Tramway Carpark, there is a level cycle
track with tarmac surface running North to Salt
Pan Lane, (about 750m, wide enough for easy
passing) and beyond to Merchants Lane. The
entrance to the reserve is by the sewage works
at Salt Pan Lane, and there is a firm level path
suitable for wheelchairs from there to the Hide
(about 450m, with one passing place about half
way). There is a ramp to the hide, a bit steep,
but OK for most wheelchair users.
The cycle track continues North for about 250m,
and affords good views of the North West Corner
of the reserve. The main part of the reserve has
5 scrapes, wet in winter, but mainly drying out
in summer, and the hide looks out over the
estuary.
All paths are clear of overhanging branches, and
all gates open both ways and are self closing.
It is good at all times of year, but probably
best in winter, between tides.
Birds include Curlew, Whimbrel, Godwit, Redshank
and other waders, Wigeon, Mallard and Shoveler,
as well as many hedgerow birds. In fact over
160 species were recorded between 2001 and 2003.
The hide is octagonal, with good views in all
directions, and the windows allow good viewing
even in bad weather! There is space and
suitable shelving in one corner for a
wheelchair, and bench seats (without backs) all
round.
Further information may be obtained from Fraser
Rush (see above) or David Walters on 01297
552616, e-mail:
davidwalters@eclipse.co.uk
The East side of the River Axe
Between Axmouth village and
Axmouth
Harbour, there are good views across the river.
There is a good footway on the East side of the
road, and several places on the river bank both
for parking and for wheelchair access. Near
Axmouth there is an area with seats, giving good
views of the estuary Northwards. This stretch
of road is worth a visit, as birds hidden under
the bank when looking from the hide may be seen.
The Farm Gate
Going North from Axmouth, there is a Farm Gate with hard
standing overlooking Colyford Common (SY
247918). The reed beds are visible from here, as
well as the river.
Axmouth
Harbour
From the bridge at
Axmouth
Harbour there is a track leading along the North
side of the harbour (follow the signposts to the
café and chandlery and Sea Life centre) which is
suitable for wheelchairs. From the end of this
track there are good sea views, but probably
best with a telescope.
I have received the following from Devon
Wildlife Trust
Access on Devon
Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves
DWT is in the continual process
of improving access on reserves and making
adjustments whenever possible. If you visit DWT
reserves I would appreciate feedback both on
what works well, comments or tips for their
improvements and nearby facilities you find that
might be useful to other users. This would be
extremely useful as DWT intends to publish a
guide to accessible nature reserves in the
foreseeable future. Please send comments to:
Jo Pullin - Reserves
Interpretation Officer, Shirehampton House,
35-37 St David’s Hill, Exeter, EX4 4DA e-mail:
jpullin@devonwt.cix.co.uk
DWT has several
reserves that may be suitable for wheelchair
users. We would recommend a planning visit
before taking groups. Some are better than
others and a list of possibilities follows:
Bovey Heathfield Nature Reserve
SX824765-
heathland site. This has recently had some path
improvements so parts of the reserve are now
passable for wheelchairs. Some paths are steep
and most are pebbly. Parking is along a bumpy
track or along the roadside. The nearest
facilities are in Bovey Tracey.
Dunsdon Nature Reserve
SS295078-
A culm grassland reserves with a 400m+ boardwalk
to a viewing platform looking over a culm field.
Plenty of parking on the reserve. The nearest
public facilities would be in the towns of
Holsworthy or Bude. There is a good garden
centre (Brooks Nursery) on the road to Bude with
cafe and disabled facilities.
Dunsford Nature Reserve
SX798875
- woodland and riverside path.
With good pushers or strong arms you can go from
one end to the other (about 2 miles). If it is
wet some parts may be a little muddy but should
still be passable. The entrance at the Clifford
Bridge end has excellent access for wheelchairs
but parking is on the roadside and is limited to
about 4 cars. It would be OK for a minibus.
The Srawberry Hill Tea Rooms, Dunsford have
disabled toilets. It is worth calling before
you go to check they are open.
Halsdon Nature Reserve
SS555125
- woodland and river. From the
southern entrance there is a 900m track that
leads down to the river. After that the reserve
becomes steep and the paths rough. Parking is
limited to about 4 cars but you could squeeze a
few more in by the road - it is a quiet road.
It would be OK for a minibus. The nearest
facilities would be in Dolton Village. There
are several pubs and a shop in the village but
you would need to check to see exactly what
facilities they have available.
Otter Estuary
SY075824-
mudflats and salt marsh.
There is an
excellent path along the west side of the Otter,
with 2 viewing platforms. The path follow the
river for about 800m to White Bridge. Budleigh
Salterton’s Lime Kiln car park is a large pay
and display car park right at the entrance to
the reserve. Here there is picnic tables and
barbecues with a play area for children. The
nearest public facilities are a couple of
hundred metres along the promenade in the
direction of the town centre. A radar key is
needed.
Warleigh Point Nature Reserve SX447610
- woodland and estuary. This has
had a new track installed and should be ideal
for wheelchair users. However the access track
to reach the reserve is not owned by DWT and can
be muddy when wet. Parking is on the roadside
of the dead end road (very quiet) although there
is not much space for many cars. To reach the
reserve you have to pass through the village of
Tamerton Foliot – there are several pubs there
that may have disabled facilities. It is about
2 miles from the reserve.
*Soon
to be added to the list are Halwill Junction and
Bystock Pools once some essential access work
has been done.
if you need any further
information or directions go to:
http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/index.php?section=places:reserves
or phone reception [01392
279244] for a DWT Nature Reserve
Guide.
