River Exe

The River Exe swollen with late winter rain runs past Pixton hill

This great river, which gave Exmoor its name, rises in the former Exmoor forest and flows east and then south into Devon and on to the sea. Now primarily a great natural feature it formerly provided water for thousands of people and their livestock and drove watermills along much of its length. Many settlements take their name from the river including Exford, Exton, Exbridge, Exmouth and of course Exeter.