Starcross, Exeter, Devon
Go to Starcross in the winter and you’ll find a quiet waterside village where visitors tend to be more in the line of birdwatchers looking out for migrant visitors to the Exe estuary; in the summer it’s a different story when it gets busy with the sailing fraternity and people coming across on the passenger ferry from Exmouth for a wander round.
And you know, that’s not a bad thing to do really. Starcross is only a small village but it’s an attractive one due to its setting, the backdrop is the rolling Devon hills, in front are the calm waters of the estuary. Brunel’s Atmospheric Railway sweeps right along the estuary, just feet from the water giving lucky passengers a breathtaking view; as the train wends its merry way it passes the historic red brick pumping station, the most complete of its kind in the country.
Both the South West Coast Path and the R2 National Cycle Network pass through the village so it’s a good place to explore on foot or wheels. You’ll find a thriving community with a shop, hairdressers, GP surgery, a fish and chip shop and two pubs. On a summers day or a balmy evening one of the simplest pleasures is to stroll along the estuary and then go for pub food at The Atmospheric Railway Inn.
All information correct at the time of writing