Paddleboarding-Whitford to Seaton

Paddleboarding-Whitford to Seaton

Long, gentle paddle, following the reed-edged and willow-lined river Axe down to a fishing hamlet and the sea. The Axe, a name derived from an ancient term meaning ‘abounding in fish’, is a treat for wildlife lovers who can look out for salmon, bullheads, otters, and even leeches. Start just downstream of Whitford Bridge below the weir and glide beneath overhanging willows as the river meanders through the Devon meadows. Shortly after the road bridge, the Coly tributary joins the Axe, which widens as it enters its tidal estuary flanked by marshes and mudbanks.

Pass Axmouth on the east (left) bank, a major port in the 14^th century, and gaze over at Seaton Wetlands on the west bank. The freshwater marshes, intertidal lagoons, and ditches of this birdwatchers’ paradise are separated from the estuary by the embankment of the former branchline, now Seaton Electric Tramway featuring open-topped trams. Paddle under the road bridge, passing a large shingle bank and moorings on the west bank, and Seaton’s harbour walls and fishing boats on the east. Continue down to the estuary at Seaton Bay for wonderful views of the Dorset coastline to Beer Head (a lovely paddle from Seaton). Axe Vale Canoe Club (close to the bridge) hosts the annual ‘River Axe Race’ along the same route and almost every type of floating craft is welcome.

Whitford to Seaton Paddleboard route map

Distance 16km (return)

Difficulty 2 (4 if entering Bay)

Starting point Downstream of Whitford weir. Grid ref. SY 2619 9529 (50.7525, -3.0476) 

Launching 30m walk from car park to bankside launch

Parking Adjacent to weir, Whitford Road, EX13 7AN

Pitstops Unpretentious harbourside snacks while watching fishermen weighing their catch, Chris’s Café, Seaton, tel. 01297 625511

Lessons, hire, tours SB Watersports, Seaton Beach, tel. 07850 69520

Getting there A358 S of Axminster to Musbury, then turn R (signed) to Whitford and find car park on L just before Whitford bridge

Special points 

It takes about 1-2hrs from Whitford to Seaton.  If planning just one way from Whitford, time your route to arrive just after HW Seaton to benefit from the beginning of the ebb tide at Colyford (this is the NTL point).  If planning a return trip, leave 2hrs after HW to benefit from the ebb tide from Colyford to Seaton and then return on the flooding tide up to Colyford before you continue on the river section.

When starting at Whitford in low water conditions there may be shallow shingle banks evidenced by faster moving surface water. Look out for the deep channels around these or walk/wade across these shallow areas. Short fins are recommended in low water levels.

Beware of fast flows under bridge at Seaton; very shallow water at Seaton at low tide; only enter Seaton Bay in low swell, and be aware harbour entrance can get very busy.

This is just one of our routes in this area, for more details and other routes in the area see our latest book-Paddle boarding South West