Cycle Ride

Nature Reserves & Canals

Spring is in the air, so this issue we’re going a little further a eld to visit some local nature reserves by bicycle.  e 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.  e route follows shared cycle paths and a section of the National Cycle Network Route 28.

 ere’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 Heath eld. 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.  ere 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 tra c.

Barges were repaired in this graving lock (dry dock).

Need to know 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

1 Start 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 cLiPdrIn and dSgs as XraJ½ c can FI FYs] *SPPS[ XLI canaP sidI TaXL JSr a cSYTPI SJ QiPIs YnXiP iX ½ nisLIs YndIr a railway bridge. There are several areas of restored canal

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From light bites to a main meal, the Redcliffe Hotel offers everything you need for a perfect luncheon treat. Enjoy the superb views from our sea view terrace overlooking the beach and choose from our extensive lunch time bar menu. On Sundays a 3 course traditional sunday lunch is available in our Paris Singer Restaurant, which again enjoys panoramic sea views. The Redcliffe is also an ideal venue for all types of functions. The Redcliffe Hotel 4 Marine Drive Paignton TQ3 2NL 01803 526397 www.redcliffehotel.co.uk Redcliffe Hotel

From light bites to a main meal, the Redcliffe Hotel offers everything you need for a perfect luncheon treat. Enjoy the superb views from our sea view terrace overlooking the beach and choose from our extensive lunch time bar menu. On Sundays a 3 course traditional sunday lunch is available in our Paris Singer Restaurant, which again enjoys panoramic sea views. The Redcliffe is also an ideal venue for all types of functions. The Redcliffe Hotel 4 Marine Drive Paignton TQ3 2NL 01803 526397 www.redcliffehotel.co.uk Redcliffe Hotel

Located on Babbacombe Downs, our stylish and elegant restaurant provides a sophisticated space to catch up with friends over coffee, or simply indulge in our great selection of food and drink. Hand-crafted with fresh local ingredients our menu includes breakfasts, lunches, refined dinners and a delicious Sunday roast. With private function suites and a dedicated team, we can create unique events for small and large parties alike. For bookings and enquiries, please contact our reservations team. 63 Babbacombe Downs Road Torquay TQ1 3LP 01803 316300 www.hamiltonsclub.com Hamiltons

Family-friendly café set on an organic working farm. Famous for farmhouse breakfasts, hearty lunches, seasonal specials and Sunday roasts. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor adventure play area and why not explore the farm and walk the 2km nature trail after lunch? All profits from the café go to local charity Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust. Open daily from 9am – 4:30pm. Occombe Farm Café

Occombe Farm Preston Down Road PaigntonTQ3 1RN 01803 520022 info@countryside-trust.org.uk

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workings on this section which are well worth a visit. 4 Turn right onto the road then immediately right onto Summer Lane, signposted for National Cycle Network 6SYXI  *SPPS[ XLis PanI TasX XLI fl SSd TSsX XLIn TasX the cottages following the road as it turns right then left. 5 After another half a mile when the road bears right, turn left onto the shared path. This passes through the DWT Teigngrace Meadow Nature reserve and there are footpaths available on the left hand side of the path should you wish to explore further - look out for 7k]Parks and QarFPId [LiXI FYXXIrfl iIs %n inXIrTrIXaXiSn board is sited further along the main path. Further along this section cross the footbridge over the A38. 6 Once over the bridge take the road straight on following the cycle route signposting. Again, take care on this quiet road section. 7 As the road comes to an end, pass through the gateway onto the shared path. Entrances to the DWT BSZI] ,IaXL½ IPd naXYrI rIsIrZI can FI accIssId Sn

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Refreshments Nature Reserve

the left hand side of the main path. It’s a great place to look out Heath Potter wasps and common lizards. 8 After another half a mile the path comes to an end at Pottery Road roundabout on the outskirts of Bovey Tracey. You may choose to start your return journey here or take the road on the right for a short cycle down to the small town. 9 Our favourite refreshment stop sits at the junction at the bottom of the hill. The Brookside Café is particularly cyclist JriIndP] and Las a ½ nI sIPIcXiSn SJ cakIs XS fuel your return journey. Other cafés are available! 