Cycle Ride
Need to know
Nature Reserves & Canals S
pring is in the air, so this issue we’re going a little further afield to visit some local nature reserves by bicycle. The whole route is on well maintained paths and some short stretches of country roads so is also suitable for mobility scooters and walkers with pushchairs. For ease of parking we’re starting at Newton Abbot Town Quay at the bottom of the Brunel Industrial Estate. The route follows shared cycle paths and a section of the National Cycle Network Route 28. There’s plenty of wildlife to watch as we pass through Teignbridge Council’s Jetty Marsh nature reserve and access routes to Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) nature reserves at Teigngrace Meadow and Bovey Heathfield. If you’re going by bike then take a lock as pathways within the DWT reserves are not all suitable for cycling. Part of the route follows the disused Stover Canal which is in the process of being restored. There are interpretation boards at points along the way describing the trade that once passed along the route. Do take care on the short sections of country road along the way; although they are very quiet they are open to traffic.
Distance - 14 mile round trip Exertion - Easy Time - Allow 2 hours Terrain - Mainly gravel pathways and country lanes Dogs - Shared route for walkers and cyclists so with care Refreshments - Love Food @ the Town Quay, Brookside Café at Bovey Tracey and MT Tums at Teignbridge Lock Accessibility - robust pushchairs. An all terrain mobility scooter can be hired Parking - Newton Abbot Town Quay, Forde Road, Newton Abbot Start Postcode - TQ12 4EW
1Start your cycle at Newton Abbot Town Quay; pass the food kiosk under the railway bridge and follow the cycle path until it reaches The Avenue. Turn right and stay on the pavement routed cycle path to the end of the road and take the crossing towards B&Q. The cycle path continues on the left hand pavement. Follow the cycle path to the Jetty Marsh roundabout and carefully cross the road where marked to take what is in effect the third exit from the roundabout. 2 20 metres from the roundabout go through the gate marked Jetty Marsh Nature Reserve - listen and look out for greater spotted woodpeckers. This is the start of the shared route. Follow the route for a mile or so. You’ll pass by a wildlife spotting hide along the way. Carry on until you reach the MT Tums café and road junction at the end of this section of the route. 3 At the Junction with Exeter Road turn right and go over the hump-backed bridge and after 20 metres turn left onto the cycle route - take extra care here with c i dr n and d gs as ra c can s cana sid a rac i s n i i nis s nd r a railway bridge. There are several areas of restored canal
Barges were repaired in this graving lock (dry dock).
englishrivieramagazine.co.uk
April/May 2020 | 45
