EXPLORE DEVON!

Visit the Explore Devon  website for ideas or explore the links below.  Let us know what you do!

• The National Trust has a fun packed list of free activities for all ages to try – not just children! 50 things to do before you are 11 and 3/4. Ideas include going star gazing; go swimming in the sea; plant it, grow it, eat it; and building a den.
• Woodland Trust ‘Nature Detectives’ has info on 150 activities!  Tons of ideas for your family’s spring/summer holidays, outdoors and in, whatever the weather, activities for children of all ages.
• Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserves
• Stover Country Park, Newton Abbot
• Grand Western Canal, Tiverton
• Haldon Forest, Exeter – great for walking, mountain biking, running, horse riding or just for sitting, listening and watching!
• Exeter City Council Valley Parks.  The Exeter Green Circle is a twelve mile walk that provides a great walking experience within the boundaries of Exeter – from green countryside valley parks to the pavements of quiet leafy suburbs.
• Exe Estuary Trail – walk or cycle along from Exeter to Exmouth or Dawlish, you can always catch a train back!  Many sections of the trail, not all, are away from roads and alongside the scenic river and countryside.
• Dartmoor National Park Walks and other activities + Places to go
• Exmoor National Park – Things to do.  With info on, amongst other activities, stargazing as the first International Dark Sky Reserve in Europe!  Places to go
• Teignbridge District Council Country Parks, Nature Reserves and other green spaces 
• East Devon District Council Countryside Sites
• Tarka Trail – walk or cycle along over 30 miles between Braunton and Meeth, using the old railways of North Devon. Passing through the largely unspoilt countryside as it was described by Henry Williamson in his classic novel ‘Tarka the Otter’ first published in 1927.
• Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust – Places to Visit.  Visit Cockington for buggy friendly walks and picnics in pretty parkland.
• RSPB nature reserves in Devon
• Aylesbeare Common, north of Sidmouth
• Bowling Green Marsh, east side of the Exe Estuary near Topsham, Exeter
• Chapel Wood, near Barnstaple
• Exminster and Powderham Marshes, west side of Exe Estuary near Exminster
• Labrador Bay, south of Shaldon
• Isley Marsh, North Devon
• Devon’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty –
  • North Devon AONB – explore the North Devon coast for surfing, walking/cycling trails and giant sand dunes at Braunton Burrows.
  • Blackdown Hills AONB – a tranquil, beautiful, and relatively isolated landscape on the Devon and Somerset border. Steep ridges, high plateau, valleys and springs create a charming mosaic of countryside dotted with farms, villages and ancient features.
  • East Devon AONB – intimate wooded combes, vast areas of heathland, fertile river valleys and breathtaking cliffs or hilltops.  It includes the East Devon section of the Jurassic Coast – England’s first natural World Heritage Site.
  • South Devon AONB – explore Dartmouth, beaches, coastal and countryside walks.  Try a car free day out!
  • Tamar Valley AONB – take a train along the scenic Tamar Valley branch line  from Plymouth, through the Bere peninsula, across the historical viaduct to Calstock and on to Gunnislake.