In May 2016 we are encouraging everyone to get outside, get active and be Naturally Healthy. A wide range of events and activities are being held across the county from walks and cycle rides to forest schools and foraging. Note that there is a charge for some of the events listed below.
Scroll down to find out what’s on offer. For more information regarding events and programmes please follow the links under each description.
SATURDAY 30TH APRIL – SATURDAY 7TH MAY
North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival
A selection of guided walks takes place each year around the May Day Bank Holiday for 7 days. This year the festival starts on Saturday 30th April to Saturday 7th May. The festival has walks from about 3 miles to 10 miles long, covering the North Devon AONB and Exmoor National Park. So this festival shows you some of the most scenic countryside this area has to offer.
For more information on walks and bookings: Find Festival Walks / please call 01271 863001
SUNDAY 1ST MAY
The Trill Trust, Trill Farm – Dawn Chorus Walk
In celebration of International Dawn Chorus Day 2016, join us to listen to one of nature’s most beautiful soundscapes, the dawn chorus. After the walk there will be tea and refreshments to help warm you up after the early start! We will be walking in low light on rough ground, please wear warm clothes and appropriate footwear.
Time: 5.15am
Cost: £4 – Booking required
Location: Pudleylake Road, Musbury, Axminster EX13 8TU
Contact Details: zoe@trillfarm.co.uk / 01297 631113
website: Trill Farm, Dawn Chorus
Guided Walk : Spring Flora & Wild Food – Stover Country Park, Newton Abbot
Discover the folklore and uses, both past and present, of Stover’s rich variety of flora. Following the walk we will sample some wild food and teas. Please book in advance.
Time: 2 – 4pm
Location: Meet at the Visitor Centre, Stover Country Park
Contact: 01626 835236
International Dawn Chorus & Spring Arrivals
Join local bird expert Mike Langman at Berry Head National Nature reserve for a dawn chorus. The scrub and woodlands should be alive with bird song including many of our summer migrants just back from a winter in Africa all desperately announcing their territories and hoping to attract a mate. Mike will guide you through the sequence of songs helping you to pick out the many different but sometimes confusingly similar songs. The very best time to hear bird song is at sunrise, so it will be an early start. This event is part of International Dawn Chorus Day. The event will be finished off with a delicious breakfast at the Guardhouse Cafe.
Time: 5.30am – 9am
Cost: £14.50 – Booking required
Location: Berry Head National Nature Reserve
website: International Dawn Chorus & Spring Arrivals
Bluebell Day : A celebration of the woods
Dawn chorus walk starts from the picnic car park at the top of Seaton Down Hill at 6am. Guided walks throughout the day: history of Holyford Woods, spring flower walks and more! Craft stalls Wildlife activities Wild-food cook out Refreshments including cream teas at Holyford Farm from midday until 4pm. Organised by East Devon District Council Countryside team and the Holyford.
There is no vehicular access or parking at Holyford Farm. Please use the free parking at Colyford Memorial Hall, where a free shuttle bus will operate throughout the day. First bus 11.15am, last bus returns at 4.15pm.
Time: 6am
Location: Colyford Memorial Hall
Contact Details: countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk or 01395517557
Website: Bluebell Day
MONDAY 2ND MAY
Early Morning Bird Walk – Stover Country Park, Newton Abbot
Come along for an early morning stroll around Stover Park listening to bird song and learning about the resident and spring migrants. No charge apart from a £1 donation for coffee, tea and biscuits on your return. Please book in advance.
Time: 7am – 9am
Location: Meet at the Visitor Centre, Stover Country Park
Contact: 01626 835236
Filleigh Village Hall – Woodland Walk
Spring family walk through the woodland on Castle Hill Estate to Holwell Temple. Start and end at Filleigh Village Hall. Teas available. Fundraising for village hall.
Time: 14.00
Location: Filleigh Village Hall, EX32 0RS
Contact Details: t.hussell.filleigh@btinternet.com / 01598760332 – Tanya Hussell
WEDNESDAY 4TH MAY
Nature Workshops – Forest School training Taster, Totnes
Come and join us in the woods to find out more about our training and the funding opportunities available to learn with us. Explore some of the activities you could be running yourself as a qualified outdoor practitioner. We will even cook for you around the fire!
Time: 10.00
Contact Details: events@natureworkshops.co.uk
Website: Nature Workshops Events
Tamar Valley AONB Walk & Talk – EVERY Wednesday morning
Free weekly walks every Wednesday morning – a great way to meet new people, explore your area and improve your health. Note: Please wear comfortable clothing, sturdy footwear and be prepared for the weather! Bring a drink and snack for the rest stop.
Time: 10.30
Contact Details: 01822 832364
Website: Tamar Valley
FREE Forest School Training Taster Totnes
Come join us in the woods for lunch, woodland games, using tools and making fire in these magical local woods. Find out more about our training and the funding opportunities available to learn with us! Explore some of the activities you could be running yourself as a qualified outdoor practitioner.
Time: 10.00
Contact Details: 01822 832364
Website: Naturally healthy Devon Schools project
THURSDAY 5TH MAY
Teach on the beach
An opportunity for teachers to the confidence and skills to take a class to the beach. A day of workshops with local teachers and outdoor facilitators, with the aim to inspire outdoor coastal learning experiences. Sessions to include: geology and introduction to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, Wildlife and rock pooling discovering the creatures lurking in the rockpools, making your beach activities link in with the National Curriculum.
Time: 09.30
Contact Details: 01395 517557 or countryside@eastdevon.gov.uk
Website: Forest School Taster
FRIDAY 6TH MAY
Mud Tots Forest School – Dartington, Totnes – EVERY Friday during term time. Play, create, explore, connect and get muddy!
Forest school for children 0-11 and their parents or carers. Run by an experienced Forest School leader who will provide a stimulating natural environment for child led learning. Sessions will include mud play, games, storytelling, singing, den building, campfire cooking, bug hunting and much more!
Time: 14.00 – 15.30 – BOOKING REQUIRED
Contact Details: vic@mudtots.uk
Facebook: Mud Tots
SATURDAY 7TH MAY
National Trust Greenway – Dawn chorus walk
Why not join one of the rangers for this wonderful opportunity to listen to and identify early morning bird song, whilst taking a walk on the beautiful Greenway? To make it even more worth your while, the walk finishes with coffee, tea and bacon sandwiches.
Time: 05.00 am – Booking required.
Cost: £10 adult, £5 child
Contact Details: 01803 842382
Website: National Trust – Call or visit the Website to book a place today.
Learn about Grasses and Rushes, Seaton – East Devon District Council
Ever wondered what the difference is between grasses, reeds, rushes and sedges? Now’s your chance to find out! Led by local ecologist and former Field Studies Council lecturer, Adrian Bayley, this day course will give you a thorough introduction into this group of plants, their ecology and how to identify them.
Time: 09.30 – 4:30
Where: The Reed Base, Seaton Wetlands
Cost: £15
Website: Training day grasses and rushes
Spring Flower Walk, Cranbrook – East Devon District Council
Walk with the Countryside Ranger and see which wild flowers can be found in the country park. Note: Well behaved dogs on leads welcome. Some walking off paths, limited access for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Time: 10.00 – 12
Location: Younghayes Community Centre
Website: Spring Flower Walk
National Marine Aquarium
We will be going to a Batten Bay Beach (at Mount Batten) to explore the rockpools and find lots of amazing local marine creatures, as well as running a beach clean to help protect the marine environment.
Time: 12.00 noon
Location: Batten Bay Beach
Contact details: Sarah Pickup (Host Supervisor) sarah.pickup@national-aquarium.co.uk – Please contact via to confirm attendance
SUNDAY 8TH MAY
Junior Rangers: Oak Apple Time
Its May and our Oak trees are appearing fruitful. Inside is juicy and delicious to some but all may not be as it seems.
Location: Decoy Country Park
Time: 2.00-3.30 pm
Website: Green Spaces
WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY
Volunteer Workday: Orchard
Come and help care for Decoy’s secret Orchard
Location: Decoy Country Park
Time: 11.00 am – 3.00 pm
Website: Green Spaces
THURSDAY 12TH MAY
What’s that bird? Seaton – East Devon District Council
Improve your bird identification skills, whatever your level of knowledge, with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced volunteer guide.
Time: 10:00 – 12:00
Location: Island Hide, Seaton Wetlands
Website: What’s that bird? 12th May
Guided Walk : Bat Walk – Stover Country Park
A chance to discover which bats are out and about over Stover lake and in the woods at twilight, and find out about the Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project. No charge. Please book in advance.
Time: 8:30 – 10:30pm
Location: Meet at the Visitor Centre, Stover Country Park
Contact: 01626 835236
FRIDAY 13TH MAY
Wild food forage and cook up in Holyford Woods, Seaton
A guided walk with local expert Chris Holland. Get to know at least 15 wild edible plants, how to recognize and prepare them to eat. Finish with a cook up around a campfire.
Time: 18:30 – 21:00
Location: Seaton Tower lay-by, Top of Seaton Down Hill
Cost: £10
Website: Wild Food Forage and Cook Up on Holyford Woods
SATURDAY 14TH MAY
National Trust Coleton Fishacre, South Devon – Doggy day
Bring along your dogs for our annual day of fun for all the family – including those with waggy tails. Fun dog competitions will run throughout the day – pick up a programme from visitor reception as you arrive. From best-dressed duo to cleverest trick and cutest puppy, there’s sure to be something your pooch will be top-dog at.
Time: 11:00
Cost: £2 entry to competitions, normal admissions fee apply
Contact Details: 01803 842382
Website: National Trust
Forest Chi – Green Exercise for mind and body. Forest Chi is Tai Chi that connects you with nature.
A weekend of Forest Chi on the North Cornwall coast, starting at 14:00 on Saturday and finishing at 13:00 on Sunday. Feel a boost of vitality and inspiration with an immersion into the nature of this wild and beautiful piece of coast.
Come for a half day/morning/evening/both days. Limited places for staying in cottage or camping.
Date: Saturday 14th May – Sunday 15th May
Pre-booking is essential – places are limited for staying over
Contact Details: forestchi@btinternet.com / 07412 387424
Website: Forest Chi
The Art of Soap Making – Trill Farm
Trill Farm is well known for producing hand made soaps – and this is the chance to make your own using plants from the garden. This two-day hands-on workshop is suitable for complete beginners and those with some experience looking to broaden their skills.
Date: 14th & 15th May Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: £225 and an organic lunch each day
Contact: Zoe on 01297631113
Website: The Art of Soap Making
Birds of Slapton Ley
Discover the birds of Slapton Ley on a free guided walk along the nature trail that skirts the edge of the freshwater lake. Booking Essential.
Time: 10:00
Location: Slapton Ley Field Centre
Contact: 07967497624
Website: Birds of Slapton Ley
Dawn Chorus Breakfast with the Birds
Rise very early and join the Rangers to listen to one of natures wonders as dawn brings a chorus of birdsong. Pre made bacon butty and hot coffee to finish.
Chardstock hedgerow and botany walk
A great opportunity to explore the fantastic biodiversity that lies within the renowned hedgerows of the with ecologist Conrad Barrowclough from the Blackdown Hills Natural Futures team. An informative guided two mile walk, taking in the beauty of the hedges and fields around Chardstock. Learn how to identify a range of wildflower and other species and why these historic landscape features are so important for the wildlife of the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: The George Inn, Chardstock, Axminster, EX13 7BX
Cost: Free, booking essential
Contact: infor@blackdownhillsnaturalfutures.org or Telephone: 01823 681937
Website: Blackdown Hills AONB
SUNDAY 15TH MAY
Festival of Dartmoor Wildlife, Yarner Wood
Celebrate the wildlife of Dartmoor in the beautiful location of East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve. Come and meet the people and organisations who care for wildlife on and around the moor. There’s something for everyone including family friendly activities, guided walks and experts to answer your wildlife questions. Special Event Parking near Yarner House. Follow the event signs from Bovey up the Haytor road.
Time: 10:30
Contact Details: Andy on 01822 890903 or email andy@moorthanmeetstheeye.org
Website: More Than Meets the Eye Landscape Partnership
Early Morning Bird Walk – Stover Country Park
No charge apart from a £1 donation for coffee, tea and biscuits on your return.
Time: 7 – 9am
Location: Meet at the Visitor Centre, Stover Country Park
Contact: 01626 835236 (Please book in advance)
Bread Making Workshops
Baffled by bread? Learn the essentials of bread making in this hands-on workshop with baker Emma. Get to grips with a range of simple loaves using different flours and shaping techniques including wholemeal, white, millers or granary, soda bread, cinnamon rolls and focaccia. Leave armed with plenty of baked goods to take home and bags of confidence. – Booking is Essential
Cost: £75.00
Time: 10.00am – 16.00 pm
Website: Countryside Trust
National Mills Weekend at Cricklepit
DWT’s Cricklepit Mill, Exeter
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm and 1 – 3pm
Join us for a day of milling on National Mills Weekend. The historic mill comes alive as the waterwheel starts turning and volunteer millers show the traditional methods used for grinding grain.
Festival of Dartmoor wildlife
Yarner Wood, East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve
Time: 10.30am – 4.30pm
Celebrate the wildlife of Dartmoor and meet the people who care for it. Family friendly activities, guided walks and experts to answer your wildlife questions.
Further information: andy@moorthanmeetstheeye.org
Organised by Dartmoor National Park
WEEK STARTING MONDAY 16TH MAY IS –
WALKING for HEALTH – Naturally Healthy Celebration Week
Help us celebrate ‘Naturally Healthy May’ by joining one of our themed walks around Devon. All walks listed below start at 1.30. To find out more see the Active Devon website or contact : Rebecca Russell on 01392925150 or email rebbecca.russell@devon.gov.uk
Website: Active Devon
TUESDAY 17TH MAY
The Trill Trust, Trill Farm – An Introduction to Bumblebees
Come and find out about the fascinating lives of some of our favourite garden insects. Learn how to identify the bumblebees in your garden and what you can plant to help look after them. We will start with an indoor session, introducing you to the ecology of bumblebees before going outside for a walk around the farm to identify them. Please bring appropriate footwear and clothing for being outside on the farm. This event is suitable for all ages but children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Children under four go free.
Time: 10.00
Cost: £4 – booking required.
Location: Pudleylake Road, Musbury, Axminster EX13 8TU
Contact Details: zoe@trillfarm.co.uk 01297 631113
Walking for Health Celebration – Country Lanes Walk Meet: Victory Hall Exminster – EX6 8DF Time: 10.00 am (60 mins)
Walking for Health Celebration – Flora & Fauna Walk
Meet: Court St Car Park Bus Stop – TQ13 8NA Time: 10.30 am (90mins)
WEDNESDAY 18TH MAY
Bracken Bashing
Bracken Bush for the Bronze Age. Help us sythe bracken growing on the Bronze Age Cairns to help safeguard underground archaeology.
Time: 10.30-3.00 pm
Location: Ideford Common, Haldon
Website: Green Spaces Events
Walking for Health Celebration – Holcombe Rogus Countryside Walk Help us celebrate ‘Naturally Healthy May’ by joining one of our themed walks around Devon. Meet: TA21 0PN – Roadside Near Pub Time: 10.30 am (90 mins)
Walking for Health Celebration – Park & River Trail Walk Help us celebrate ‘Naturally Healthy May’ by joining one of our themed walks around Devon. Meet: Area Opposite Okehampton Post Office – EX20 1HW Time: 10.00 am (30 or 60 mins)
THURSDAY 19TH MAY
Wild food forage and cook up – East Devon District Council
A guided walk with local expert Chris Holland. Get to know at least 15 wild edible plants and how to recognize and prepare them to eat. Finish with a cook up around a campfire.
Time: 18:30
Location: The Knapp Community Nature Reserve, Sidmouth
Cost: £10
Website: Wild Food Forage and Cook Up
Walking for Health Celebration – Broadsands to Brixham Woods & Coast Walk Help us celebrate ‘Naturally Healthy May’ by joining one of our themed walks around Devon. Meet: Churston Library – TQ4 6LL Time: 10.15 am (60 mins)
A walk around Cirl Bunting Country – RSPB
Join the RSPB for a walk around the stunning Labrador Bay, enjoy the sea views of the South West Coast Path and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins.
Time: 9:30 – 12 noon
Location : Labrador Bay
Cost: RSPB Members £3, Non Members £5
Website: Sea Views, bunting and Buzzards
Walk at Dusk – Stover Country Park
Take a walk at dusk to see the nightjars displaying over the heath accompanied by their ‘churring’, watch the bats feeding over the lake and in the woods, and look for glow worms. No charge. Please book in advance.
Time: 8.30 – 10.30pm
Location: Meet at the Visitor Centre, Stover Country Park
Contact: 01626 835236
FRIDAY 20TH MAY
Walking for Health Celebration – Library Nature Walk Help us celebrate ‘Naturally Healthy May’ by joining one of our themed walks around Devon. Meet: Barnstaple Library – EX31 1EL Time: 10.30 am (30 mins)
Walking for Health Celebration – The Power of Water Walk Help us celebrate ‘Naturally Healthy May’ by joining one of our themed walks around Devon. Meet: Lynmouth Pavilion, North Devon – EX35 6EQ Time: 10.30 am (60 mins)
MumFest – A festival with outdoor activities
A 3 day festival event for mums/grandma’s/female carers and their children with a focus on fun and adventurous outdoor activities for all ages.
Time: 16:00 start on Friday
Contact Details: mumfestuk@gmail.com
Facebook: Facebook – Mum Fest
Spring Foraging Walk – Trill Farm
An informal afternoon forage with herbalist Anne McIntyre, identifying and gathering the fresh green shoots of spring that can be used for simple home remedies or as tasty additions to meals. Anne McIntyre is a Fellow of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (FNIMH), and has been practicing herbal medicine for over 30 years. She lectures widely on Herbal Medicine in the UK and America and is the author of around 20 books on herbalism.
Time: 2pm-5pm
Location: Pudleylake Road, Musbury, Axminster EX13 8TU
Cost: £10 which includes refreshments
Berry Head Bat Walk
A unique opportunity to see the rare Greater Horseshoe bats at Berry Head, a Geopark Gateway Site. The Greater Horseshoe bats live in the caves formed in the 400 million year old limestone cliffs. We will begin at the Visitor Centre to see the bats in their roost using the cave camera. We then head out onto the reserve to see how our cows help to feed the bats, before moving on to watch the spectacle of the bats emerging from their roost, using bat detectors to hear their calls.
Cost: £5.00 Adult and £3.50 Child
Time: 8.00-9.45 pm
Website: Countryside Trust
Andrew’s Wood DWT nature reserve
Time: 9 – 11.30pm
Bring a torch, wear warm clothes and suitable footwear.
Contact Details: Barry Henwood on 01626 364080 for details.
Please Note: If the weather is looking unsettled please phone Barry before 6.30pm on the day to see if event is still happening.
Organised by Devon Moth group
Exmoor National Park & Walking for Health Event
‘Lynmouth and the power of water’, a guided walk around Lynmouth, Exmoor, followed by coffee and cake at the Pavilion dinning room. The duration of the walk is 1 hour.
Location: Meet at the Lynmouth Pavilion, The Esplanade, Lynmouth, EX35 5EQ
Time: 10am for 10:30 start (there is a registration form every walker has to complete before they can join the walk)
SATURDAY 21ST MAY
What’s that bird? Seaton – East Devon District Council
Improve your bird identification skills, whatever your level of knowledge, with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced volunteer guide.
Time: 12:00
Location: Tower Hide, Seaton Wetlands
Website: What’s that Bird? 21st May
Wood craft and woodland management day, Seaton – East Devon District Council
Learn the basics of spoon carving/ whittling with local expert, Sharif Adams. The 2nd half of the day will be spent exploring woodland management, tree identification and wood cleaving with an East Devon Ranger. Note: Bring lunch and warm clothing. no dogs. Refreshments provided.
Time:10.00
Location: Seaton Down Hill Picnic Area, opposite Seaton Tower Garage
Cost: £25
Website: Wood Craft and Woodland Management Day
Herbal Medicine – Trill Farm
Join renowned herbalist Anne McIntyre on a journey of discovery as she guides you to identify and forage wild herbs, understand their medicinal properties and uses, and share the skills to create and take home a range of herbal remedies for your health and wellbeing. This course is open to anyone with an interest in knowing more about medicinal properties of the plants you identify and gather.
Date: 21 & 22nd May
Time: 10am – 5pm
Location: Pudleylake Road, Musbury, Axminster EX13 8TU
Cost: £335 which includes all materials, monographs, accommodation in a shared room and all meals. Begins Friday 20th May for Supper
Website: Herbal Medicine
Butterflies, bugs and botany
Stonebarrow, Charmouth
Time: 11am – 3pm
A chance to look for and identify butterflies, bugs and plants led by Marjorie Waters. Bring your camera and your own picnic lunch.
Note: Meet at Stonebarrow NT car park, Charmouth. Grid Reference SY 383 933. Suggested donation £3.
Organised by East Devon DWT local group
Marine wildlife awareness walk
Crow Point nr Braunton
Walk with Kate Weld and Andrew Bell from North Devon Biosphere.
Time: 1 – 3pm approx
Location: Meet at Crow Point car park.
Organised by Halsdon and Dolton DWT local group
Exmoor downhill (2)
Barna Barrow to Brendon
Time: 11am – 3pm
Another “car at both ends” walk, so mainly downhill.
Advance booking essential; contact Paul (01271 812617) or Lesley (01271 378007). Donation welcome.
Organised by Barnstaple & District DWT local group
SUNDAY 22ND MAY
Walk at Whiddon Deer Park
Whiddon Park
Time: 10am – 1pm
Explore this historic deer park, including the park’s ancient trees, with Tom Wood of the National Trust.
Location: Meet Whiddon Park Farm TQ13 8DG(SX721889). Booking essential.
Contact linda.corkerton@btinternet.com. Suggested donation £3.
Organised by Bovey Tracey DWT local group
Emsworthy for bluebells and moorland wildlife
Location: Emsworthy DWT nature reserve
Time: 10.30am – 1pm
Join us to explore this wonderful reserve off the B3387 from Bovey Tracey to Widecombe.
Note: Park in the small car park below Saddle Tor. Grid ref SX745765. Suggested donation £2.
Contact Details: John Hodgson 01364 642007.
Organised by South Brent and Ivybridge DWT local group
Nature reserve discovery day
Meeth Quarry DWT nature reserve, Nr Hatherleigh
Time: 10.30am – 4pm
Discover Meeth Quarry and join in with our butterfly themed day. Help search for the elusive green hairstreaks and grizzled skippers with experts from Butterfly Conservation.
Guided walks, family activities, storytelling and refreshments throughout the day.
MONDAY 23RD MAY
Healthy Living Festival , Sidmouth – East Devon District Council
Healthy Living Festival is available to everyone; families, young people and the elderly. Various stalls and information workshops from businesses, practices and agencies from all over East Devon to provide opportunity and details to get involved with the outdoors, physical activity, healthy food and social interaction.
Time: 10.30 – 14.30
Location: Sidmouth, The Stowford Community Centre
Contact details: aclark@eastdevon.gov.uk – Aaron Clark, Community Development Officer
TUESDAY 24TH MAY
The Trill Trust, Trill Farm – Botanical Stroll
Trill Farm retains a range of natural habitats including marshes, ponds, old flower-rich meadows, and relict patches of limestone grassland along the old railway. On this stroll we shall explore some or all of these habitats and the plants that grow in them. We will concentrate on getting to know how to recognise the commoner plants.
Time: 14.00
Cost: £4 – booking required
Location: Pudleylake Road, Musbury, Axminster, EX13 8TU
Contact Details: Zoe@trillfarm.co.uk / 01297 631113
Website: http://www.trillfarm.co.uk/collections/botanical-stroll
The grey seals arrive
Mortehoe; nr. Ilfracombe
Time: 7 – 9pm
Colourful coastal flower displays and hopes of spotting grey seals.
Advance booking essential; contact Paul (01271 812617) or Lesley (01271 378007). Donations welcome.
Organised by Barnstaple & District DWT local group
SATURDAY 28TH MAY
Play Torbay – Growing Connections
Help do some digging and planting at our garden in an outdoor Community Adventure playground, well as the all important cooking and eating. On top of this all participants will be invited to explore the tree house, the rope swings, do a bug hunt and, if you are lucky, help make the fire for the food.
Time:10:00 – 13.00
Contact Details: Tara Acton, 07730792431 / tara@playtorbay.org.uk
Website: Wild Fox Adventure Playground
All are welcome to join us on any Saturday of the month, from 10-1 pm, for a free nature play and gardening session. Children and adults of all ages and abilities can get involved. We have trained play staff at every session, we ask that children under the age of 8 are accompanied by an adult.
Tree ID for beginners, Knapp Copse, East Devon – East Devon District Council
Join a Countryside Ranger on a walk around Knapp Copse. Learn how to identify trees and shrubs from their leaves, bark and form. Information regarding woodland ecology and management will also be given. Sturdy footwear and moderate fitness required. Dogs welcome.
Time: 10:00
Location: Knapp Copse Car Park, Seaton Road
Cost: £5
Website: Tree ID for Beginners
Family Camps At Trill Farm – Create art, meet the wildlife, cook outdoors, make new friends and be merry.
We are offering two very small, relaxed family camps this year, with activities to take part in and the freedom to wander, explore and dream. Hosted and facilitated by Chris Holland and the Trill Farm team, you will spend time with your kids, explore the farm, woods, beaches and nature. The activities include foraging and fire-making, sneaking games and night walks, shelter-building, storytelling and music making around the fire. There will be whittling, making herbal products and clay painting. There’s a bouldering wall, lake for wild swimming and stream to dams. All this and a celebratory ‘merry moot’ on the last night!
Date: Saturday 28th – Monday 30th May
Location: Pudleylake Road, Musbury, Axminster, EX13 8TU
Cost: Adult ticket – £110 Under 16 ticket – £65 Under 5 ticket – Free Family Ticket – £310
Website: Family Camps At Trill Farm
SUNDAY 29TH MAY
Dog Day
Cockington’s very own Dog Day! We’ll be joined by Greyhound Rescue (SW) and many other fab canine organisations and companies for a dog show, have-a-go dog challenges and much more.
Time: 11.00am – 4.00pm
Cost: Free
Website: Countryside Trust
Hedges, Herbs and History
Explore the secret history within the traditional hedges of the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with the Blackdown Hills Hedge Association and local botanist Gavin Saunders. An insightful stroll around Yarcombe looking at traditional hedges which are such a distinctive and beautiful feature of the AONB. Learn about hedging technique, hedgebank age, plant uses and the wildlife found in hedges.
Time: 10am-1pm
Location: Yarcombe Village Hall, EX14 9AD
Cost: Free, booking essential
Contact: infor@blackdownhillsnaturalfutures.org or Telephone: 01823 681937
Website: Blackdown Hills AONB
MONDAY 30TH MAY
National Trust Greenway – River Dart canoe expedition
Starting at Stoke Gabriel, our instructor will take you down to Greenway where you will be able to enjoy light refreshments – with a chance to have a look around the house and gardens – before heading back up the Dart to Stoke Gabriel. Perfect for all abilities.
Time: 10:00
Booking essential: call or visit the website to book. Cost: £60 per person
Contact Details: 01803 842382
Website: National Trust
Secret World of Wildlife
Lying under logs, and hiding in bushes, join us to discover the best bettles, super spiders and much more.
Time: 10:00
Booking essential: call 07967497624
Website: Secret World of Wildlife
Bat Walk
Explore the night time world of these magical creatures. Watch them emerge from their roost, follow their foraging routes and use our bat detectors to hear their weird and wonderful calls.
Time: 21:00
Booking essential: call 07967497624
Website: Secret World of Wildlife
TUESDAY 31ST MAY
Meet the Occombe Bees
Meet Occombe’s Bee Keeper Gerry Stuart and find out more about these fascinating insects. Gerry will bring along some bees in an observation hive so you can safely view them up close, learn how much honey a bee can produce, how far they can travel and what is a waggle dance! Gerry will also talk about the important ‘Black Bee’ conservation work partnership with the ‘B4 Project’ and Paignton Zoo.
Time: 01.00 – 03.00
Cost: £2.50 – Booking advisable
Website: www.countryside-trust.org.uk
Plant and cake sale at Seaton Marshes – East Devon District Council
If you still have a few spaces in your borders or raised beds, this is the perfect chance to pick up some bargains. All sorts of plants will be on offer, nurtured locally by our incredible volunteers. While you peruse the plants, enjoy tea, cake and the wetlands atmosphere. Note: No dogs.
Time: 11:00
Location: The Discovery Hut, Seaton Marshes
Website: Plant and Cake Sale
Self-lef Orienteering – Seaton – East Devon District Council
Can you navigate around the Seaton Wetlands orienteering course using a map and markers? Note: No dogs.
Time: 11 – 3
Location: The Discovery Hut
Website: Self-led Orienteering
Teignmouth Beach Surf Life Saving Club – Beach Lifesaving
Beach lifesaving includes emergency first aid, fitness events on the beach and rescue techniques in the sea using variety of specialist equipment. We are training in the sea every Saturday morning. Suitable for all levels. We practice all ranges of beach lifeguarding skills from emergency first aid, to sea swimming and rescue techniques of paddle boards and rescue boats. We train all year through, but the spring and summer are obviously the best times to get involved and if you want obtain some professional lifesaving qualifications.
Date: Details to be added soon
Time: 09:30
Contact Details: club@tbslsc.org.uk
Website: Beach Surf Life saving
Tidal Torridge by the Tarka Trail
East-the-Water, Bideford
Time: 7 – 9pm
2.5 miles wheelchair friendly path, view marshes and mudflats.
Advance booking essential; contact Paul (01271 812617) or Lesley (01271 378007).
Donations welcome.
Organised by Barnstaple & District DWT local group
Friday 3rd June
Walking for Health Celebration – Wetlands Walk Help us celebrate ‘Naturally Healthy May’ by joining one of our themed walks around Devon. Meet: Seaton Cemetery Car Park – EX12 2DQ or Tesco – EX12 2PB Time: 10.30 am (45 mins or 90 mins)
ONGOING EVENTS
Walk This Way
A health walk is free, short and led by trained volunteer walk leaders. The walks are graded by time, terrain and gradient e.g. Level 1 is 10 – 30 minutes, on flat terrain, with no stiles or steps.
East Devon:’Walk This Way’
These health walk groups walk along some of East Devon’s beautiful villages, scenic seaside and lush countryside. They have walk groups in the following locations:
Axe Valley, Exmouth, Seaton & Colyton & Sid Valley
Contact: Andrew Dare
Email: adare@ledleisure.co.uk
Phone: 01404 814317
Exeter: ‘Stepping Out’
Exeter Stepping out have a great variety of walks. The groups walk in the following locations:
Exeter: City Centre, Countess Wear, The Quay, St Leonards, Whipton & Wonford
Contact: Claire Ridler
Email: c.ridler@westbankfriends.org
Phone: 01392 824752 (option 5)
Westbank: ‘Walking for Health’
Westbank Walking for Health walk in the following locations:
Exminster & Starcross
Westbank – Contact Volunteer: Jenny Luscombe
Phone: 01392 832751
Mid Devon: ‘Walk & Talk’
Mid Devon groups have a lovely mixture of urban and countryside walks suitable for all rades of walkers. They walk in the following locations:
Blackdowns, Crediton, Eggesford Forest, Cullompton, Silverton & Tiverton
Contact: Anne-Marie Eveleigh
Email: a.eveleigh@westbankfriends.org
Phone: 01392 824752
North Devon
The North Devon has a number of schemes covering their beautiful countyside as well as popular town and park walks. The groups in North Devon are in the following locations:
Barnstaple, Braunton & Ilfracombe
North Devon – Contact: Barbara Grant
Email: barbaraG@torridgecvs.org.uk
Phone: 01237 420138
Barnstaple – Contact: Anita Griggs
Email: anitagriggs@torridgecvs.org.uk
Phone: 01237 420138
South Hams: ‘Walk & Talk’
South Hams Walk & Talk schemes are full of friendly, welcoming walkers offering a range of walks suitable for everyone’s fitness. The walk groups are in the following locations:
Dartmouth, Ivybridge, Kingsbridge, Modbury, South Brent & Totnes
Contact: Keith Rennells
Email: keith@southhamscvs.org.uk
Phone: 01803 862266
Teignbridge: ‘Walk this Way’
Teignbridge Walk this Way cover a lovely part of Devon. They have a strong network of volunteers supporting Grade 1 walks. The walk groups are in the following locations:
Chudleigh, Dawlish, Ipplepen, Kingskerswell, Kingsteignton, Moretonhampstead, Newton Abbot, Shaldon & Teignmouth
Contact: Ben Hugill
Email. ben.hugill@teignbridge.gov.uk
Torridge
Torridge has some wonderful walks exploring the local towns, countryside and coast. The groups are strongly supported by local volunteers. The groups walk around:
Bideford, Fremington, Holsworthy, Instow & Torrington
Holsworthy – Contact volunteer: David
Email: darney382@aol.com
Phone: 01837861829
Torridge – Contact volunteer: Steve
Email: shd1947@hotmail.com
Phone: 01237 421528
West Devon: ‘Walk & Talk’
The West Devon scheme has great programme of Grade 1,2, and 3 walks. The walk groups are in:
Broadwoodkelly, Okehampton, North Tawton & Tavistock
Contact: Sue Doidge
Email: sue@ocrasport.org.uk
Phone: 01837 54546
Want to Join?
To find out more about any of the walk schemes above, including details on the walk grades, location, times and dates, you can visit the national website on:
Walking for Health Walk
Or contact the scheme coordinator by phone or email via the details listed by the area you are interested in.
