A day of changing plans and chilling by the river.

Station: Axminster

Activity: Short walk and river paddle

Walk time: 1 hour

Terrain: Lanes, fields and footbridges

Toilets: Yes (station)

Refreshments: The Railway Kitchen (platform)

Additional info: At one point the public right of way crosses the river with no bridge or ford but if you want to keep your feet dry, the farmer has kindly created a more suitable pathway.

Open this route in the OS Maps app to follow, adapt or download the gpx file.

In my opinion, OS Maps is the best route planning app available because it combines detailed topographical maps with a user-friendly interface.

From Axminster station

Turn left out of the station entrance to walk past the bus stops. Continue past the fuel station until you come to a road. Cross the road and, just in front of a bench, you’ll find a narrow footpath (unmarked) that takes you towards the train line. Follow this.

Blackberry time

Turn right to follow the path along the railway line. This isn’t a particularly attractive section but it does get you off the road and, if you arrive in August or September, offer a large volume of tasty blackberries.

Cross the railway and the river

Continue along the blackberry path until you reach a lane and then a junction. Turn left here to cross the railway line at the level crossing and then the River Axe.

Say, ‘Hello’ to the cows

Look for the footpath sign and follow it right between the houses. Here you’ll find pastures and cows but don’t worry, an electric fence provides a bit of bovine distance and guides you the correct way. Walk for about 750 metres until your path meets the River Axe again.

To cross or not to cross?

The public right of way here crosses the river twice, which means that you can too. But there’s no ford or footbridge so I recommend the path along the bank if you prefer to keep dry. It’s a beautiful section of water so take your time (and perhaps dip your toes).

Admire the white bridge

Eventually your riverside amble will take you to a lane. Turn right to cross the pretty bridge with white fencing. Carry on along the lane then take the next left to head past some houses towards Axminster (I spotted a kingfisher here).

Explore Axminster

Continue in the same direction through the housing estate and then into Axminster. If you’re not sure which road to take, look for the church. Walking downhill past the church will bring you back to the fuel station and your path through to the train station. There are plenty of interesting shops to mooch around on the way.

I had first spotted the River Yarty (a tributary of the River Axe) from the busy A35. Its name and obviously meandering nature attracted me. When I got home and looked at the map I was even more intrigued.

It’s not easy, in the UK, to find places where rivers and public rights of way intersect. Many of our river banks are on private land and tricky to explore, which is why, when I first looked at the map of the rivers Axe and Yarty, I was excited to see public footpaths that appeared to go from one bank to the other, straight through the water. I was also pleased to see Axminster train station so close by.

I decided to investigate but almost didn’t leave the station.

It turns out that Axminster train station is what I like to call, ‘A friendly station’. Not only does it have loos but also a cafe, comfy cushions in the waiting room and a ‘help yourself’ second-hand book stall. Everything, in fact, a train enthusiast needs for a pleasant day out.

I did eventually treat myself to a late lunch at the cafe and rather appropriately came home with a copy of Michael Palin’s ‘Around the World in 80 Days’.

But I went out exploring first.

My first foray into the Axminster countryside was towards the River Yarty. I wanted to stand under the bridge on which I had first spotted the river. ‘Under-bridging’ is a strange obsession of mine. You’ll get used to it.

Here’s what happened when I walked underneath the Severn Bridge.

After a pleasant stroll across fields, I did pass underneath the A35 but sadly not where it crosses the Yarty. I enjoyed this section (west of the station) of the River Axe but my way onward was eventually blocked by a closed footbridge.

After a quick banana stop and a decision not to dip in the river pool I had spotted, I checked my map (using the OSMaps app), retraced my route back to the station and headed east instead. The resulting route is the one I have shared with you above.

Despite having packed my swimsuit and towel, in the end I opted for a paddle in the River Axe. It was stony so I kept my shoes on and dried them in the sun afterwards as I enjoyed lunch and my new book.

And who doesn’t enjoy reading by a river.

Axminster train station is the public transport gateway to the Jurassic Coast beaches of Lyme Regis, West Bay and Weymouth. Look out for the Jurassic Coaster bus just outside the train station. Just £3 for the ride, it has to be worth the fare.

I plan to go back and find out very soon.