Avocet Line

The Avocet Line is a busy, thriving and much-loved railway that runs the 9.5 miles along the eastern side of Devon’s Exe Estuary from the city of  Exeter to the seaside resort of Exmouth. It’s scenic, but also a vital resource for daily travel to work, school and college and shopping. This website, edited and managed by the line’s rail users group (ALRUG), aims to tell you about many aspects of the line’s past, present and future.  For more information about our 5 year vision for the line please read our manifesto, which was launched at the AGM in October 2015.

We hope you find it interesting and perhaps that you will wish to join our group and help build the best possible future for this valuable and successful railway line. Navigate using our menu in the banner at the top or view these items of interest:

• Join our thriving users group (see a sample of our award winning members newsletter)
• See the latest news on this site
• Realtime information from the Great Western Railway
• Information on fares, including how to save money
• Avocet Line timetable valid from 15th May to 10th December 2016
• Places to go and things to do
• Wildlife on and around the Exe
• See information about Newcourt Station – opened 4 June 2015
• Visit our Facebook page
• Information about the 150th anniversary celebrations in 2011
• Wikipedia entry on the Avocet Line –
• Wikipedia entry on the Avocet (the bird) and why it is on the RSPB logo

Some interesting facts about the line:

• The line was built in 1861 and celebrated its 150th anniversary on 1st May 2011 (see here for details and a gallery of this splendid event).
• For most of its history the line was part of the London & South Western Railway and BR’s Southern Region, but is now operated by Great Western Railway.
• The line is the busiest branch line in the west of England with about 1.7m travellers a year.
• The name ‘Avocet Line’ was introduced in 2003 by Wessex Trains, the then franchisee, as a marketing name and has been adopted by everyone.