River Exe
The River Exe is Devon's main river. Rising near the historic settlement of Simonsbath on Exmoor, the Exe flows south through an untamed landscape of windswept moorland, woods and steep-sided valleys into the comparatively urban reaches of Tiverton and Exeter before meeting the sea at Exmouth.
The 50-mile stretch of the Exe has played an important role in the South-West's development. In 50AD the Romans founded a stronghold at the river's lowest crossing point – a place we now know as Exeter. Further upstream, water-power was essential to the growth of the wool industry in Tiverton. Even today, the river brings tourists and trade to the many villages and small towns along its path.
The River Exe is a traditional favourite for anglers and in 1924, a salmon weighing 64lb was famously caught by fisherman Richard Voysey. Canoeing is another popular activity, with beginners and more experienced canoeists enjoying scenic as well as challenging stretches through the Devon countryside. Ornithologists flock year round to the estuary - an important habitat for wading and migrating birds and a designated site of special scientific interest.
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