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The Exeter canal is five miles long, it has two working locks, and one abandoned at Topsham, where it was possible to join the River Exe at this point.
The photograph shows the first lock from the estuary at low tide, boats with a draught of three meters can enter the canal at this state of the tide.
The Turf Lock Inn at the side of the lock is open throughout the summer and is a marvelous place to go for a drink, or some food, they regularly have BBQ's on the side of the river. It is only possible to get to the lock by water, on foot or, or by bicycle, these can be hired at the waterside in Exeter, canoes can also be hired at the same place.
It is possible to get to the pub by ferry from Topsham.
TURF LOCK FROM THE ESTUARY.
LOOKING DOWN THE CANAL FROM TURF LOCK
DOUBLE LOCK and INN
This lock is the only lock on the canal, Turf Lock is a sea lock. It's possible to get to this pub by car but it's not easy to find from the road. The reason this lock is called Double Lock is due to its size, it is nintysix meters long and sufficently wide enough to take two boats side by side.
This establishment can also be recommended, and its open all year.
UP THE CANAL FROM DOUBLE LOCK.
Exeter Cathedral can be seen from the top of the lock, as can other buildings in the city, this lock is approximately a mile and a half from the city.
This is the end of the canal in Exeter, the buildings to the left of the photograph used to be an interesting Boat Museum, but earlier this year it was closed. I don't know if this is a permanent closure, the tourist office seemed to think so.
The boats that can be seen on the left of the canal were some of the exhibits.
This is the first  bridge on the canal, it is a swing bridge as are all low bridges, so there is no restriction on air draught.
The bridge allows access to the ferry to Topsham, there is a small car park on this side of the canal at this point. These are the types of canoes you can hire from Exeter.
TOPSHAM BRIDGE.
The River Exe with the ferry landing stage. Topsham is well worth a visit, it was the main port for Exeter in the days of sail.  it has many attractive buildings from the old sailing ship days with an interesting small museum in The Strand.
Plenty of places to eat and drink on that side of the river.
END OF THE NAVIGATION AT EXETER.
Like most old canal wharves, the old buildings are either being knocked down and rebuilt, or being restored to very expensive accommodation, and office complexes.
The Exeter Canal wharf is not an exception. The view through these arch ways is to the end of the canal.
EXETER CANAL
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