If you are looking for a fun activity to do with the kids with without spending a fortune, head to Exmouth and the town’s first-ever woolly hanging basket trail.
There is still time to see the knitted and crocheted trail, which launched at the start of the summer. It features 33 hanging baskets to find, alongside 29 handknitted post box toppers showcasing a host of imaginative and colourful designs. And a yarn-bombed bicycle with a totally tropical theme.
New to Exmouth this year is the hanging basket trail., alongside the popular post box topper trail, all in aid of Hospiscare.
Photos: with permission.
The hanging baskets and mail trail is in aid of Hospiscare with maps available to buy showing each location of where the knitted creations can be found.
Tim Harlow, Hospiscare trustee, thanked the volunteer knitters and sponsors for backing this year’s trail to raise much-needed funds for the charity to provide specialist care to patients and their families across Exeter, central and East Devon.
One talented knitter created a mini version of A la Ronde, in Exmouth.
Photo: East Devon News.
Volunteers have knitted different designs and scenes for post box toppers.
Photo: East Devon News.
The woolly hanging basket trail runs alongside the annual post box topper mail trail.
Photo: with permission.
One of the unique designs knitted by volunteers.
Photo: with permission.
He said: “The trail is a fantastic example of the wonderful support we get at Hospiscare from our communities. And because of incredible work like this, day in and day out, we can keep providing the service we do.”
The 63 colourful displays takes trail hunters across Exmouth and into neighbouring Budleigh Salterton, where five post box toppers are to be found.
Volunteer knitters earlier this year spent hundreds of hours creating the colourful designs such as a miniature A la Ronde house, and RNLI lifeguards across the years.
One of the unique designs knitted by volunteers.
Photo: with permission.
Trail maps are available from several shops in Exmouth.
Photo: with permission.
This year there are two maps available, one for the post box toppers and another for the woolly hanging basket displays. Each maps costs a minimum donation of £3, of £5 for both. All proceed go to Hospiscare.
Maps can be bought in Exmouth from Postcards Cafe, on The Strand, Zanzibar Gifts, in Rolle St, The Linen & Wool Box, in Exmouth Indoor Market, the Hospiscare shop, on The Parade, and Exmouth Museum, in Sheppard’s Row. Maps are also available from the Hospiscare shop in Budleigh Salterton High Street.
This fruity tropical-themed bicycle is among the trail attractions.
Photo: with permission.
Clare Suttie, one of the mail trail organisers, said: the hanging basket trail was inspired by volunteer and yarn-bomber Pam Essex.
Cialre said the latest addition had ‘added a completely new dimension’ to the displays.
She said: “What started as a handful of post box toppers has grown into something that brings together businesses, volunteers, residents and visitors in support of Hospiscare.
“This year we’ve taken things even further with what we believe is the world’s first hanging basket trail made entirely from knitting and crochet.
“Combined with our post box toppers and the incredible woolly bicycle, Exmouth has become a wonderful showcase for the talent, generosity and imagination of our volunteer makers.
“Every display has been created by volunteers and sponsored by local businesses, demonstrating what can happen when a community comes together for a good cause.”
Post box topers include a teddy bears’ picnic.
Photo: with permission.
New for 2026 is a woolly hanging basket trail across Exmouth.
Photo: with permission.
The mail trail began in 2020 and thanks to a group of volunteer knitters, the annual event has raised more than £30,000 for Hospiscare.
The 2026 display has already raised more than £7,000 for the charity through local business backing.
The woolly trail launched at the sort of the summer, with a host of invited guests.
Photo: with permission.
For more on the Exmouth mail trail, see here.
