River Clyst

The Clyst near Topsham

The River Clyst is a river of eastern Devon. For most of its course it is a small, village river, but at its lower reaches it becomes a broad, tidal river and flows into the long estuary of the River Exe below Exeter.

The river gives a name to the villafges of Clyst William, Clyst Hydon, Clyst St Lawrence, Clyst St Mary, Clyst St George, West Clyst, Clyst Honiton and Broadclyst. Its name is thought to be from the old British language, or Old Welsh, clyst, meaning "clear stream".

Course

Near Clyst Honiton

The Clyst rises near the village of Clyst William near Cullompton. It then runs west and southwest, flowing through the settlements of Norman's Green, Plymtree, Clyst Hydon, Clyst St Lawrence, Westwood, emerging in the Clyst Valley.

From there, the river goes southward through Broadclyst, West Clyst, Clyst Honiton, Clyst St. Mary and Clyst St. George, eventually flowing into the Exe estuary at Bowling Green Marsh, immediately south of the port of Topsham near Exeter.

Estuary and bridge

The Clyst meets the Exe

In 2011 work started on a new £500,000 cycle and pedestrian bridge crossing the River Clyst at Fishers Mill, Topsham, forming part of the Sustrans’ National Cycle Network. The bridge feeds into the Exe Estuary Trail, part of NCN2. A 50-yard elevated timber boardwalk was planned across the salt marshes and flood plain with a main bridge spanning 31 yards across the river. The new bridge is downstream from an existing narrow Grade II Listed masonry highway bridge.

In winter, the flood plain attracts large flocks of Brant geese and Canada geese. On the north side of the Clyst, just west of the Exmouth railway line, is Bowling Green Marsh, a small RSPB reserve with a hide (SX971877).

Outside links

• Topsham Birdwatching & Naturalist Society

• Location map: 50°40’41"N, 3°27’7"W