Source to Sea

The River Exe is a vast, fast-flowing river steeped in history and national significance.

Stretching over 60 miles from its remote source on Exmoor, to its wide estuary on Devon’s south coast, it was once a vital shipping route linking Exeter and Tiverton to the wider world, but now it is often overlooked. The River Exe has long shaped the growth of towns along its banks, powering industries and enabling communities like Tiverton to expand and thrive. Today, routes like the Exe Valley Way trace the river’s course, a reminder of its historical importance woven into the landscape.

This photographic portfolio follows the river from its windswept source on Exmoor, past the merging of the River Exe and River Barle, through riverside walks in Tiverton and Exeter, and onwards past disused railway lines and canals near Powderham Castle. It explores both celebrated and overlooked spaces, from ancient crossings to forgotten industrial remnants.

Through 20 images, Source to Sea captures the River Exe, not simply as a river, but as a living witness to centuries of human and ecological history. Having lived alongside the estuary for the past few years, the river has been a constant backdrop to my life, yet creating this series has revealed just how much of its story remains hidden in plain sight. This project is both a tribute to the river’s enduring spirit and a call to rediscover its role in shaping the landscapes and communities of Devon.