The best city hikes and walks around Exmouth

Peaceful spot on benches by recreation grounds

Lest we forget ❤️❤️❤️

A fantastic green space so close to the famous seafront. Ideal for a quiet stroll just away from the busy beaches and a secret haven for wildlife. The warm, sandy soil at The Maer provides perfect conditions for insects. Many unusual solitary Bees and Wasps make their nest tunnels in the sand and get on with raising their larvae out of sight of the casual observer – look for tiny Bees flying out of holes in the ground. Skylarks are a species of British bird that have suffered a massive decline in recent years. However, there are still a handful of pairs that regularly use The Maer in the summer months for breeding. If disturbed a skylark will fly up singing loudly, filling the air with its beautiful call. The harsh soil conditions mean that specialised and rare plants can grow on this site. Many small, unobtrusive plants, including a number of tiny grasses, survive on areas of bare soil eroded by visitors. Sea Holly is locally rare, but grows very well on the seaward side of the nature reserve. Looking like a small blue-grey thistle, Sea Holly is actually a member of the carrot family! There are many different species of Clover growing here, including several nationally important species. Look out for the fluffy flower heads of Hare’s Foot Clover between June and September which, as its name suggests, resemble little rabbit feet – unmistakable.

Pillbox formed by a metal turret, which could be rotated through a full 360 degrees, set above a steel and brick-lined pit. It was designed for a machine gun to be fired either through the front loophole which was further protected by shutters, or through the circular opening in the roof in a light anti-aircraft role. According to the manufacturer, it was suitable for Vickers, Bren, Hotchkiss or Lewis machine guns in either a ground defence or anti-aircraft role, or a Boys anti-tank rifle or rifle grenade for ground defence. Weapon change requires selection of appropriate bracket. The army did not favour the design, most were installed at airfields. The turret was designed by A.H. Williams in conjunction with Colonel V.T.R. Ford and Lieutent Williamson. Williams was the Managing Director of Rustproof Metal Windows Company in Saltney, Chester where the turrets were produced.The company had been engaged in war work since 1939, mainly manufacturing ammunition boxes for the Admiralty using a patented galvanising process. The turret had a garrison of two men or, if necessary three men, for whom there were folding seats inside. One man can rotate the cupola which is on roller bearings and requires 15 lb of force to move it. According to the manufacturer, four men could dig the position out and erect the turret ready for firing in two hours and remove it completely in 30 minutes. Cost about £125. Nearly 200 Allan Williams Turrets were made and installed, salvaging of the metal after the war means that only 33 remain. Known survivors include: two at North Weald Redoubt, Essex. One on display at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford (recovered from an Essex village). One at Worbarrow Bay, near Tyneham, Dorset. One at Seacombe, Dorset. One on the seawall at Cley Next The Sea, Norfolk. Two at Cockley Cley Hall, Norfolk. One Bembridge Fort, Isle of Wight. One at Plymstock quarry which has been converted into a blast shelter for quarrying. One at Exmouth seafront, Devon (re-located from docks). One at Builth Wells war memorial, Wales. Two on display at Sywell Aviation Museum, Northampton. One at RAF Dishforth.

Exmouth's clock tower is located in pride of place on the town's sea front Esplanade. It was built in commemorating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The clock was originally wound by hand by a Council employee,however, the mechanism was replaced and the original workings are now on display in the town museum.

The first section of the sea wall was completed in 1845 at the expense of Lorde John Rolle, which enabled the development of the town as a holiday resort. It measured 1,900 feet in length and was constructed of Devon limestone.

Exmouth Beach, renowned for its expansive two-mile stretch of golden sands and captivating rock pools. As the gateway to the UNESCO Jurassic Coast World Heritage site, Exmouth boasts a treasure trove of geological marvels waiting to be discovered. Explore the cliffs teeming with ancient fossils and immerse yourself in the rich history of the area. Plus, with the South West Coast Path.

A nice place to stop if you have done the ride from Exeter, sandy of course so not much chance of cycling along the beach!