Starcross Station to Powderham Castle walk

This is a train adventure from Starcross train station.

Copyright Ordnance Survey 2025

Starcross station is on the London to Cornwall main line but it’s so small, not all trains stop there. Perched high above the Exe Estuary, the station only has two platforms. But as well as its stunning estuary views, and its location on the South West Coastal Path, this tiny station has another big advantage.

It’s within walking distance of Powderham Castle.

Where is Powderham Castle?

Looking at the map of Devon, you might imagine Powderham Castle was built to defend the River Exe estuary but it lacks some of the features of traditional castles such as a moat and keep.

Happily situated on Devon’s south coast just down river from Exeter, the walks around Powderham Castle offer amazing views but be warned, Powderham’s name relates to its reclaimed marsh land. Be prepared for at least some mud, especially in the winter.

At one point on this walk you’ll almost be below sea level.

What are the Powderham Castle opening times?

Powderham Castle Entrance, Fi Darby

Apart from their Christmas at the Castle event, Powderham Castle closes over the winter, opening again in spring. During the warmer months, the castle and estate are closed on Saturdays but open between 10:00 – 16:00 Sunday to Friday.

It’s worth checking the website before you visit because events at Powderham can lead to closures and to the estate being busy.

Check Powderham castle opening times.

Can you walk around Powderham Castle?

During the summer months, Powderham offers some lovely walks through the estate woods and garden but you will need a ticket or membership (good value if you live locally) to access these.

If you do want to visit for a winter walk, there are a few public footpaths across the estate as well as a permissive walking and cycling route giving access to Powderham Farm Shop & Bistro.

Powderham Castle dog walks

Want your dog to be king of the castle?

Powderham Castle is one of Devon’s most dog-friendly destinations. Understandably on this working estate, dogs are requested to be on leads but unusually they are allowed inside the castle.

Dogs are also allowed on UK trains.

What are the Powderham Castle entrance fees?

You won’t need to pay an entrance fee to complete this walk because it uses public and permissive footpaths. In the summertime you can either buy tickets or pay for membership to visit other areas of the Powderham grounds as well as the castle itself.

Powderham Castle tickets and membership.

Circular Powderham Castle walk

River Exe Estuary Powderham, Fi Darby
  • Destination: Powderham Castle estate
  • Train station: Starcross
  • Travel time from London: 3 hours
  • Travel time from Bristol: 2 hours
  • Walk time: 3 hours (with a coffee stop)
  • Distance: 8 kilometres (5 miles)
  • Elevation: 61 metres (one hill)
  • Dog friendly: Yes but on leads on the estate please
  • Map & gpx file: OS Maps
  • Toilets: Starcross station, Powderham Farm Shop & Bistro
  • Refreshments: Teign Bean Starcross, the Atmospheric Railway pub (just opposite the station) and Powderham Farm Shop and Bistro
  • Connects with: Marsh Barton to Starcross station walk

Starcross to Powderham Castle walk

Permissive path entrance Powderham, Fi Darby

Leave the station and turn right. Follow the walkway past a grass area and car park to cross a small road. Turn right again along the lane and on the left between the two buildings walk through the estate gate to access the permissive path.

This is a shared path. Watch out for bikes.

If the permissive path is closed, head back to the A379 seafront road and follow it along until you come to the castle’s main gate.

Follow the path along until you come to Powderham Farm Shop and Bistro. On the way keep an eye out for deer in the park and distant views of Powderham Castle on your right.

Visit again in the summer for better castle views.

After the Farm Shop, turn left away from the castle to meet the road through a white gate. Turn right then right again into Slittercombe Lane. Follow past the houses and round the corner. You’ll find a public footpath on the right.

Don’t take this first one, it’s super muddy in the winter.

Flooded ground Powderham, Fi Darby

Just 100 metres further on and downhill, take the second public footpath onto the Powderham estate. Follow it to cross the footbridge over the River Kenn. If you were on the ground here, you would be at sea level.

Which explains all the water.

Follow the footpath to cross over two Powderham lanes. Take note of the ticket-holder only signs. After the second lane, head uphill alongside the deer fence.

Stop to admire the view even if you aren’t out of breath.

As you reach the top of the hill, you’ll be able to spot the top of the Powderham Belvedere on your left. In the summer, ticket-holding visitors can walk up to the tower. You can even get married there.

But the Belvedere’s ballroom is long gone.

St Clement’s Church Powderham, Fi Darby

Follow the path down the other side of the hill towards the estuary. Head through the gate and across the green towards the cottages that make up the hamlet of Powderham. Walk down the lane between them to find St Clement’s church.

Here you have a choice.

  1. Turn left over the footbridge to walk upstream past two pubs to Marsh Barton station (2.5 hours).
  2. Return the way you came to buy goodies from Powderham Farm Shop for your train journey home.
  3. Turn right to follow the lane between the train line and the Powderham estate.

I’ve used option three for this hiking route. It’s a long lane but there’s plenty to look at and the trains rushing by add an element of excitement.

Especially if you love trains as much as I do.

All you need to do now is follow the lane back to Starcross station and continue your journey from there.

Local train travel is cheaper with a Regional Railcard.

The Geoneedle walk from Exmouth train station

Exploring Exmouth on foot from the train station is so easy I’m not sure I’ll take the car again. Not only that, the train journey from Exeter to Exmouth takes you along the scenic Avocet Line right beside the River Exe estuary.

It has beautiful waterside views.

View of river from train window. Gentle sunrise colours over the opposite bank.
The Avocet Line train views, Fi Darby

This is a short Exmouth walking route but in my opinion, it is one of the best walks from Exmouth train station to the beach (and beyond). If you’re looking for Devon coastal walks but don’t want to have to work too hard, this Exmouth walking route is perfect.

It takes you to the Jurassic Coast Geoneedle but you could carry on to Budleigh Salterton.

Devon coastal walks are famous for being part of the 630-mile South West Coast Path but you don’t often hear much about the Exmouth section. This might be because, in the summer, Exmouth is a bustling family holiday destination.

With all the associated amusements and crowds.

But in the winter, walks around Exmouth town and train station are a great combination of peaceful, scenic and tasty (Exmouth has some rather good eateries).

A scenic walk from Exmouth train station to the seafront

Exmouth train station, Fi Darby

This walk links with my Topsham to Exmouth station to station walk. In fact, you can train hike the whole of the Exe estuary if you also include the walking route between Marsh Barton and Starcross stations.

This Exmouth route is definitely a family-friendly walk. Even if the weather isn’t suitable for beach fun, it’s a mostly flat route with cafes and entertainment all along the seafront.

Exmouth Paraglider, Fi Darby

And you might even spot paragliders.

Your Exmouth train station walk

Groynes Exmouth Beach, Fi Darby
  • Train stationExmouth station (a GWR station)
  • Distance – 4 kilometres
  • Elevation – 40 metres
  • Time – 1 hour (one way)
  • Refreshments – The floating River Exe Cafe (April to September), Spoken (Mediterranean value), Bumble and Sea (excellent coffee, Orcombe Point)
  • Toilets – Behind Exmouth station, Manor Gardens and Queen’s Drive (happily, Exmouth has lots of loos)

Walk route GPX – Exmouth station to the Orcombe Point Geoneedle

From Exmouth station

There are lots of routes to Exmouth seafront from the train station. This was mine but feel free to find your own.

Follow the round signs towards the Marina (not through the underpass). Cross at the zebra crossing to go through an alley that leads to the town square.

Traditional Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill Exmouth, Fi Darby

Skirt around the edge of the Square to the right, heading up the hill signposted ‘The Beacon’. Near the top of the hill, take the slope down onto the footpath and continue through the park until you reach the seafront.

Along Exmouth seafront

Turn left along the seafront walking on the prom or the beach. For the section before the Lifeboat Station you can also opt to walk along the grassy paths on The Maer, just above the road.

Rodney Point

Continue until you reach the cliffs and car turning point at Orcombe Rocks (Rodney Point). By the coffee hut, head up the zig-zag slope to follow the signs to Orcombe Point and the Geoneedle.

The coast path around Rodney Point is currently closed.

The Jurassic Coast

Exmouth Geoneedle, Fi Darby

The Orcombe Point Geoneedle isn’t just a sculpture, it marks the start (or end) of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, which stretches all the way to Portland.

There are nine different stones, from the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic periods embedded in the structure. The Exmouth end of the Heritage Site has the oldest stone.

Author’s Exmouth train station walk

Exmouth Geoneedle Sign, Fi Darby

I walked this route in December and thoroughly enjoyed the windy-weather vibe of Exmouth beach. Be warned though, Exmouth sand is very mobile. When I was there, the prom and road were being cleared of piles of sand.

As the wind picked up, I felt a familiar crunching in my mouth.

My favourite part of the walk was being lucky enough to catch the paragliders dangling and soaring in the thermals around Orcombe Point.

They came really close.

I would recommend leaving yourself plenty of time to enjoy the Geoneedle area. There’s lots of information up there and fabulous views, as well as some great selfie opportunities if you’re that way inclined.

Obviously I am!

Exmouth Geoneedle selfie spot, Fi Darby

 

 

 

 

 

REVIEW – Montane Women’s Spirit Waterproof Jacket

I’ll start this blog post with a huge ‘thank you’ to Ordnance Survey and Montane who recently sent me Montane’s Women’s Spirit waterproof jacket as part of my role as Ordnance Survey Champion.

It’s a tough job but someone has to do it!

If like me, you love getting outdoors in all weathers but prefer not to carry too much weight, the Spirit could be the waterproof for you. I’ve already discovered its versatility. This jacket is great for walking, hiking, catching the bus, even going to the loo (camping only, we have an indoor loo at home).

There’s plenty to like. And all of it fits easily into a small rucksack.

And all of it will keep you dry.

Continue reading “REVIEW – Montane Women’s Spirit Waterproof Jacket”

How about a campervan Christmas… In Cornwall?

Where to camp at Christmas

A UK campervan Christmas isn’t for everybody but if you fancy swapping the family noise for a bit of peace and quiet, there are campervan sites open all year and finding campsites at Christmas isn’t as tricky as you might think.

Two years ago we decided to turn our backs on the traditional family gathering and try a campervan Christmas instead. Despite living in Devon, we didn’t opt for Christmas by the beach but set off instead to one of the UK’s best campsites at Christmas.

Continue reading “How about a campervan Christmas… In Cornwall?”

Five map symbols to help you explore Scotland

We all know there are map symbols for rivers, maps symbols for forests and map symbols for the coast but did you know there are also some map symbols that are especially useful if you are travelling to Scotland?

Continue reading “Five map symbols to help you explore Scotland”

What to wear to wee in the woods

Which bedding do you choose when you’re going on a campervan trip?

Because you don’t have to carry your gear in a rucksack, the list of potential campervan bed linen is almost endless. It doesn’t need to be light, it doesn’t need to fit into a rucksack and you (usually) don’t need to worry about keeping it dry.

All very cosy but getting up for a wee often isn’t.

Continue reading “What to wear to wee in the woods”

Dogs in campervans – my top tips

Before our recent road trip to Scotland, I wondered how compatible dogs and campervans really were.

But even in our small van, I have been pleasantly surprised.

This fortnight road trip around Scotland was Fred’s third campervan holiday but it was also his longest. When he was just an excitable pup we celebrated a white Christmas in the van at Glen Coe.

Once he’s clean, he makes an excellent hot water bottle.

Continue reading “Dogs in campervans – my top tips”

Dry robe review. The D-Robe Beaufort Robe

Disclaimer: The Beaufort dry robe was gifted to me by D-Robe, who did not ask me to write this review. It is an honest and open account of my opinion.

Whether your outdoor swimming pool is at the beach, a river or a lake, as winter approaches you can be sure of one thing.

The water is going to get colder.

Cold water swimming is amazing for your physical and mental health. I would recommend it and the communities that surround it to anyone. Wild swimming, especially sea swimming is absolutely the best way I’ve found of cheering myself up on darker winter days.

But I do find it difficult to warm up afterwards.

Until now I’ve resisted the urge to try a changing robe. In fact I’m almost the last person in my swimming group not to have one. but I am aware that putting the heating on to warm up after a swim isn’t great for the environment or my energy bills.

So when D-Robe offered me their Beaufort outdoor robe to try, I was keen to take the opportunity.

Continue reading “Dry robe review. The D-Robe Beaufort Robe”

Six really helpful coastal map symbols

We tend to associate map symbols with hills and footpaths but our popular coastal walking routes like the South West Coast Path have their own idiosyncrasies. Luckily for us, Ordnance Survey maps have a set of map symbols to help us safely navigate coastal areas and enjoy being by the sea.

Continue reading “Six really helpful coastal map symbols”

Adventures by train – River Dart Canoeing

Ever since I started my obsession with train adventures, I’ve been trying to work out how I could enjoy canoeing by train. I used to do a lot of paddling, mostly in a kayak.

And often accidentally out of it.

One particularly happy canoeing memory is canoe camping with a group of Scouts on the River Dart. We set off from Stoke Gabriel (popular for crabbing), camped on the banks at Sharpham House (mindfulness and rewilding) and paddled up to Totnes the next day.

Just wonderful.

Inflatable kayaks or traditional canoes?

Canoe River Dart, Fi Darby

Until the inflatable revolution, canoeing and kayaking involved having plenty of home storage and a car to carry all your gear.

Not everyone has these.

Nowadays inflatable kayaks and paddleboards have made time on the water more accessible to more people but to my mind, they aren’t a replacement for traditional kayaks and canoes when it comes to enjoyment.

And perhaps safety.

You could perhaps, take an inflatable kayak on a train (I intend to try soon with my new Packraft) but bigger trips require bigger boats, and when it comes to traditional canoes and kayaks there’s one key problem.

Most trains don’t have canoe storage.

Why choose outdoor activities by train?

Totnes Station, Fi Darby

So why go by train?

Why don’t I enjoy my outdoor activities by car like everyone else?

Well there are many reasons but here are a few.

  • Not everyone has a car and the outdoors should be accessible for all
  • Too many vehicles in countryside lanes cause problems for everybody
  • Travelling by train is far better for the environment than travelling by car
  • I love train rides, mainly for the countryside views

In truth I do still use my campervan Greta to get around and sleep in but if I can take the train instead, I do.

And if I can encourage other people to do the same along the way, all the better.

Check out more of my outdoor adventures by train.

A canoe tour on the River Dart – by train

  • Station: Totnes
  • Travel time from London: 2 hrs 45 mins
  • Travel time from Bristol: 1 hr 35 mins
  • Canoe tour provider: Dewerstone Adventures

Author’s adventure tip: Trust yourself to your canoe guide. I had a great time with Aiden. He helped me remember my old paddling skills, taught me a few new ones and, most importantly, made sure we enjoyed ourselves and felt safe at all times.

Practicalities: Put suncream on before you go and wear a hat if it’s bright. Take a bottle of water and a few small snacks. Canoeing might look like gliding but it does use a fair amount of energy. Go to the loo before you set off.

Canoeing by train – the River Dart

Even if you have worked out how to take your canoe on a train (not entirely impossible); unless you’re an experienced paddler, you’re going to need an experienced river guide to help you complete this train adventure.

Allow me to introduce…

Dewerstone Adventures

Aiden from Dewerstone Adventures, Fi Darby

Thoughtfully formed.

If you live in Devon, love Dartmoor or have visited an outdoor show in the last few years, you’ll probably have come across Dewerstone, a climate neutral, Certified B-Corp outdoor brand who recognised that, as well as taking a lot of enjoyment from the environment, we can all make choices that give back to it.

This, by the way, is my favourite of their Fair Wear Foundation t-shirts in case you’re thinking of buying me a present.

Because the team all love the outdoors so much, Dewerstone have set up Dewerstone Adventures whose motto is ‘Equip. Explore. Protect.’

Themes to which I can really respond.

Which is why I chose Dewerstone Adventures for my first canoe trip by train.

Here’s how it went.

My Devon canoe trip (by train)

I will admit to being a bit nervous before this canoe tour. I have a fair amount of kayaking experience (even some on white water) but I haven’t paddled regularly for years.

And I’ve always been good at falling out of my boat.

I didn’t need to worry though. Aiden was an accomplished guide. It was easy right from the start to see he was used to supporting guests of all confidence and experience levels.

All equipment provided

Paddles, dry bags, buoyancy aids, there’s no doubt about it, kayaking and canoeing require a fair amount of equipment.

And that’s without mentioning the boat.

When you’re on holiday or travelling by public transport, it’s tricky to carry all of that on the bus or train.

Even if your river is right next to the station.

River swimming from Totnes station.

Which is why I was so pleased to hear that Dewerstone Adventures would provide all the kit I needed. All I had in my small rucksack when I hopped on the train was a bag of snacks, a bottle of water, a towel and a change of clothes.

Just in case!

Arriving at Totnes by train

Access for All path, Fi Darby

It’s a pleasant walk from Totnes train station to Steamer Quay on the other side of the River Dart. Especially if you take the footpath next to the river.

Copyright Ordnance Survey 2024

But if you have time, it’s also worth exploring Totnes town before or after your paddle. Packed full of quirky and original local shops, Totnes has something for everyone.

Especially if you like eating.

Leaving dry land

Our tour started at Steamer Quay, which is a public quay so I had fun watching other people launch as well as helping Aiden unload the canoes from the van.

He definitely did more lifting than me.

Aiden kitted my fellow paddler Sue and I out with personal flotation devices (buoyancy aids), offered us space for snacks etc in his dry bag, and gave us a few pointers before we set off.

Getting in can be the wobbliest part of a paddle.

It was low tide so Aiden helped us both negotiate the slippery ramp and then get into the canoe. I had forgotten how stable big canoes are. I stepped in easily and didn’t feel too nervy as we set off.

Go with the flow.

We were soon paddling downstream and immediately left the buildings and boats of Totnes behind us. With the tide really low, we were treated to a beautifully alien landscape of tree roots, mud flats and whispering reeds.

A landscape you just don’t have access to on land.

We made a short journey down river because the wind was going to be against us on the return trip. We were treated almost as soon as we set off to a visit from a Little Egret.

And then the wildlife just kept on coming.

Deer, herons, cormorants, a seal and even a flash of blue from a Kingfisher, it felt like nature had come out to say ‘hello’. This isn’t an uncommon feature of river paddling. Without an engine, you become part of the environment.

It’s a wonderful experience.

Learning paddling skills

Satisfied smile, Fi Darby

On our return trip the paddling was harder work but I had got back into my stroke a bit by then and felt I could dig in more.

Plus Aiden’s instructions had reminded me how to steer a canoe.

Aiden found places for us to rest when we were tired and had a few tricks up his sleeve to ease our progress up the river. The tide had turned to help us by now and he taught us how to follow the bubbles where the tidal flow was strongest.

By the time we got back to the quay, I had even remembered how to do a J-stroke.

I was quite chuffed when Aiden noticed!

Take a canoe tour on the River Dart

Whether you’re local, on holiday in Devon or looking for a day out from London (other cities are available), I can thoroughly recommend a canoe tour with Dewerstone Adventures.

Or why not make it a weekend? Totnes is fantastic.

Totnes train station is on the mainline between London and Cornwall, most trains stop there and my tour was timed perfectly to fit in with train timetables.

Go on! You know you want to!!