Topsham Round Robin (Boat & Train)

Sail, Rail, and Discover at Your Own Pace

Experience the very best of the River Exe with our popular Topsham Round Robin, a flexible "all-in-one" ticket that combines a scenic cruise with a relaxing journey on the famous Avocet Line. Whether you choose to board at Exmouth Marina or Topsham Quay, you have the total freedom to explore at your leisure - spend the day wandering historic maritime streets, relaxing by the seafront, or even hopping off to discover charming riverside villages like Lympstone along the way. It is a seamless way to enjoy a full day of discovery, tailored entirely to your own pace.

🕒 Cruise Duration1hour cruise + 15mins train_{Shore time at your leisure}

📍 Departure PointsExmouth Marina or Topsham Quay

Adult Price£12.50

Child (5-14)£9.50

Child (0-4)FREE

Groups (15+ adults): £10.50 _{Click here for group bookings}

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Trip Description FAQs Recent Reviews Group Bookings

Trip Description

Discover Devon at Your Own Pace: A Seamless Day of Discovery

The Topsham Round Robin is the ultimate explorer’s ticket, offering a unique "all-in-one" adventure that combines a scenic cruise on the River Exe with a relaxing journey on the famous Avocet Line, giving you the freedom to explore on the way.

Your Journey, Your Way

The beauty of the Round Robin is its total flexibility. When booking, you can choose to start your day at either Exmouth Marina or Topsham Quay- the choice is entirely yours. Whether you fancy a morning sail followed by a slow afternoon on land, or a train ride to start your adventure, your ticket covers both your boat passage and your rail fare for a seamless, stress-free experience.

A Day of Heritage and Hidden Gems

With no fixed return time on the train, you are free to immerse yourself in the local charm of our historic towns:

Historic Topsham: Wander through the famous "Antiques Quay," browse independent boutiques, and admire the unique 17th-century Dutch-style architecture of this former cotton-trading port.
Seaside Exmouth: Enjoy the golden sands, the bustling marina, and the vibrant seafront of Devon's oldest seaside resort.
Village Hopping: Your rail ticket offers the freedom to hop off at any of the charming villages along the Avocet Line, such as Lympstone or Exton, before continuing your journey home.

The SLC Experience

From the moment you step on board, our close-knit, friendly crew is here to make your day special. You’ll enjoy live, informative commentary that brings the history and wildlife of the River Exe to life, all from the comfort of our modern, all-weather vessels. With a fully licensed bar on board and plenty of space for the whole family - including the dog - it is a fantastic, value-for-money way to create lasting memories in the South West.

Ultimate Flexibility: Start in Exmouth or Topsham and stay as long as you like.
Sail and Rail: Two distinct perspectives of the Devon countryside for the price of one ticket.
Explore Further: Hop off the train to discover hidden riverside villages at your leisure.
Warm Hospitality: Experience a warm welcome from our award-winning team.

FAQs

The Round Robin Experience

Question: What is the Topsham Round Robin? Answer: The Topsham Round Robin is a circular "Boat and Train" day trip that explores the historic port of Topsham. You enjoy a relaxed cruise along the River Exe and return via the scenic Avocet Line rail route (or vice versa), allowing you to explore the town at your own leisure.

Question: Where do I collect my tickets? Answer: This depends on which departure point you have chosen. If you chose to depart from Topsham, your tickets will be with the Skipper of the boat at time of boarding. If you opted to leave from Exmouth, your tickets will in the booking office at the Marina. Please see your booking confirmation email where we provide more information.

Question: What are the highlights of Topsham? Answer: Topsham is famous for its maritime history, independent boutiques, and the charming "Under the Hill" quayside. It is also home to a renowned antique centre and several award-winning pubs and cafes, making it a perfect destination for a relaxed morning or afternoon.

Question: What scenery will I see on this trip? Answer: From the water, you will see the tranquil beauty of the River Exe Estuary, the historic Powderham Estate, and a variety of wading birds. From the train, you will enjoy the iconic Avocet Line, which runs directly alongside the estuary, offering panoramic views of the water.

Question: Is there a commentary on board? Answer: Yes. During the boat leg of your journey, our Skipper provides a live, informative commentary. They will point out local landmarks, the history of the Exeter Ship Canal, and the wildlife of the estuary.

Booking & Logistics

Question: How do the train tickets work? Answer: Your ticket includes a one-way boat trip and a one-way train journey. The train leg is flexible - you can choose any scheduled service on the day of your trip, giving you total control over how long you stay in Topsham, even jumping off at any of the stops on the way.

Question: Do I need to book in advance? Answer: We strongly recommend booking online in advance. While the trains run frequently, the boat leg has a specific departure time and limited capacity. Booking ahead ensures your space is reserved on the vessel.

Question: Is a train ticket included in the price? Answer: Yes. When you book a Topsham Round Robin with us, your ticket includes both the Stuart Line Cruises boat fare and the GWR train fare between Exmouth and Topsham.

Question: How far is Topsham Train Station from the Quay? Answer: The station is approximately a 10 to 15 minute, slight uphill walk from the Quay where the boat docks. The route takes you through the town's historic and picturesque streets, which are well-signposted and relatively flat.

Question: Can I start the trip in Topsham? Answer: Yes. You can choose to start your day by taking the train from Exmouth to Topsham, exploring the town, and then catching the boat back to Exmouth Marina. Alternatively, you can sail to Topsham first and return by train.

Comfort & Suitability

Question: Is this trip suitable for families? Answer: Absolutely! Children love the variety of switching between a boat and a train. Topsham offers plenty of family-friendly cafes and places to explore, making it a very engaging way to spend a day.

Question: Are dogs allowed on the Round Robin? Answer: Yes. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on our boats free of charge and are also permitted on the local train services, making this a perfect dog-friendly day out.

Question: Is the trip wheelchair accessible? Answer: Due to the boarding method at Topsham, we are unable to take wheelchair users. You can still enjoy a long river Exe cruise where you can stay on the boat and return back to Exmouth as an alternative.

Question: What happens if the weather is bad? Answer: We sail rain or shine. Our boats feature large, undercover heated lower decks with panoramic windows. If extreme conditions prevent the boat from sailing, we will contact you to offer an alternative cruise or a full refund.

Question: Is there a bar and toilets on board? Answer: Yes. Our vessels are equipped with clean toilet facilities and a fully licensed bar serving hot and cold drinks, local ales, and light snacks during the sailing.

Recent Reviews

Stuart Line Cruises

4.8

Based on 513 reviews

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Roo

22:26 02 Feb 26

Such a great day! Went on the winter birds cruise today and it was brilliant. The person doing the commentary on the birds (sorry I forgot their name) was super knowledgeable and the trip was all round fantastic, the small bar is also very reasonably priced! Saw a peregrine falcon chasing a flock of avocets - absolutely majestical! Cant recommend highly enough, the work they are doing for nature and conservation of the river mouth is really awesome. Hats off.

Mark

21:47 05 Dec 25

Had another fabulous BirdWatching Cruise on 02/12/25 with a day of clear blue skies and a fabulous array of wonderful wildlife on the Exe. As per previous trips the crew and guide were excellent and made for 3 hours of a thoroughly enjoyable and enriching experience. The hot chocolate and pasty was most welcome and I can’t recommend these cruises enough and they offer terrific value as well.

Mel P.

17:16 03 Dec 25

We had a fabulous guided bird watching trip today. The weather was superb as was The Pride of Exmouth, all the staff and our bird guider for the trip. Stuart Lines really do think of everything to make sure everyone has a great experience . 5 stars from us. Thank you

Derek M.

21:02 19 Nov 25

I attended an excellent Stuart Line guided bird watching cruise from Exmouth to Topsham and back. The Pride of Exmouth was in superb condition, the ornithologist's commentary and interaction with visitors was great, the crew members were helpful and friendly, the range of refreshments was excellent and the bathroom facilities were better than any I've seen on similar boats. Exmouth and the River Exe are beautiful places to visit at any time, but the thousands of migratory birds (and a few seals) are an added attraction always worth seeing over the winter. The cruise was not expensive and better than good value for money.

I have no hesitation in recommending a trip with Stuart Line Cruises if you want to enjoy a relaxing experience in beautiful surroundings.

Michael C.

21:04 12 Nov 25

Had a wonderful cruise down the river Exe today on the Pride Of Exmouth which is run by Stuart Line Cruises.
Very lucky to find something to do that's open or still operating in the winter. Adult price was less than £10 absolute bargain. The cruise itself was around one and half hours.
On board there is a heated cabin and an open air deck above. Toilets are also on board as is a little gift section by the cafe which has a licenced bar.
As its winter we indulged in a hot mince pie and mulled wine. A big thankyou to all the great staff and the captain. All in all great value for money with an outstanding professional company.

Henry J.

19:24 08 Oct 25

Stuart Line were absolutely fantastic! From the moment we contacted the office to the actual event, the team could not have done any more for us. Amanda in the office is an absolute gem to work with.
On the day, the boats arrived for our wedding on time, they were clean and the staff were impeccable! They were playing the music we'd requested and the whole journey was seamless. Our guests had a fabulous time and very much enjoyed the prosecco we purchased through Stuart Line.
The bees knees of wedding transport! I would give more stars if I could!

Elaine H.

11:32 30 Sep 25

We booked a short trip on the Tudor Rose to scatter my husband's ashes at sea, and his mum's ashes too. We were well looked after by Will and Kev who made sure we knew what we were doing and were so friendly. We had 4 small children with us, who loved the trip and it was so much nicer than an ordinary funeral. We scattered the ashes with petals and roses and the children blew bubbles - a lovely way for them to say goodbye to their grandad who loved the sea and boats and especially Budleigh Salterton. We then raised a glass to Geoff and Buddy and the children had ice-cream. We were lucky with the weather too, a great tribute and fitting way to remember them both.
Thank you Will and Kev, and Amanda who helped us to make the arrangements. I can't recommend Stuart Line Cruises highly enough.

A Google U.

11:32 30 Sep 25

David P.

18:03 20 Sep 25

Had a wonderful cruise along the coast complete with cream tea. Scones were already loaded with cream and jam yes, but I can,t see how you could do it yourself on bouncing boat at sea. Very informative commentary. All crew were very happy and helpful. Can,t wait to visit again for another trip. Thanks for a lovely afternoon! I even got a September sun tan

Georgina C.

20:36 03 Sep 25

Second time we did a trip and it was as good as the first.
Very easy to book and very organised. The captain gave us a good commentary on the way out. The facilities on board are good. There is a bar serving hot and cold drinks and snacks (crisps/choc bars). You can go and get them yourselves or wait for someone to come and take your order.
We were on the upper deck which was outside and were given blankets and umbrellas as the weather was a bit changeable. You could also go inside where it was dry and warmer.
I really recommend them for a lovely day out.

Joanne R.

11:33 07 Aug 25

We booked a private Cruise for the Exetraordinary Women WI Summer Party and had the most amazing evening. The booking process with Amanda was so smooth and professional and nothing was too much trouble. The catering options were very good and we went for the BBQ. It was all cooked fresh on the boat and was excellent with great quality burger, sausage and salad. There were even leftovers so people could have seconds. The vegetarian option was just as good and everyone was so pleased for the price. The bar staff were very efficient and the bottles of wine came out chilled all night - perfect.
Overall we had an amazing night and are looking to book next year as it was such a success and would certainly recommend them for a great evening cruise.

Maria C.

20:15 04 Aug 25

Great day out.
Be warned. They prepare the cream tea before and serve it already loaded with jam and cream. I asked for mine to have only a little cream and I would like to do it myself. The response I got from the member of staff was that they don’t have time to serve it like that. I explained nicely that I’m a bit fussy but she did get a bit frustrated. I did get the spare scone with just jam on and it was absolutely delicious. Our party of four had a great time and loved it.
Customer service was just a bit rude by one member with my requirements.

Group Bookings

Stuart Line Cruises would like to extend a very warm welcome to group organisers, tour operators and couriers. Allow us to share with you some fantastic excursion ideas, which are specially designed for groups of 15 people or more with suggested itineraries at special discounted rates.

Stuart Line Cruises is an award-winning, family-run business, operating on the River Exe and along the East Coast and South Devon coastlines, from the traditional seaside town of Exmouth, in Devon.

Now running over 50 years, we passionately believe that the River Exe and nearby coastlines of the Jurassic Coast and English Riviera are unrivaled in terms of history, beauty and wildlife and cannot wait to share them with you.

If you are interested in taking this cruise as part of a group, please contact us. We look forward to welcoming you.