WELCOME TO THE EAST DEVON AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY (map)

The East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) landscape is characterised by 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.

The 47 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty across the UK are part of the same family of protected landscapes that includes National Parks.

East Devon AONB pastoral landscape - eat the view! (Image Ian Dalgleish/Natural England)

 

 

 

This is a living, working landscape, shaped by many centuries of farming activity... ...help continue this tradition...eat the view and visit a local Farmers Market and get produce straight from the farm gate to your plate.

What's going on now....

WET'N'WILD HALF TERM: Colyford Common LNR and the adjacent Black Hole Marsh will host special bird watching sessions and tram trips. Activities from 1pm-4pm on Saturday 13 Feb and from 10am-4pm on both Sunday 14 February and Monday 15 February. Click here for more or contact 07814 477 422

HALF-TERM HISTORY! : When in Honiton this half-term (15-20th Feb)....do as the Romans do! Meet a centurion, try spelt or sourdough bread and learn more about local Roman archaeology.

MUCK IN 4 LIFE: Join East Devon's Countryside Service on one of their Local Nature Reserve events or one of our other AONB partners and have a bash at scrub bashing! or other conservation volunteering.

BATS IN BRANSCOMBE: Talk organised by the Branscombe Project by local expert Ian Crowe - 22 Feb.

HEDGE YOUR BETS!: Proud of your hedgelaying? Why not enter the Devon Hedge Groups annual commpetition...submit your entries by 31 March.

PARISHSCAPES CONFERENCE:

"Figures in the Landscape" is the title of this year's annual conference to be held at the Norman Lockyer Observatory, Sidmouth, 17 April. For more information and a booking form follow this link.

HISTORIC MAPS ONLINE: Take your first clicks to becoming a landscape detective! Through Parishscapes we have now made all digitised parish tithe maps for the area available online. the titl

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR LOCAL AREA? Check out the wide range of guided walks showcasing our local wildlife and heritage on offer from one of our many local experts! Why not learn something new this month...get down to Seaton Marshes and meet the birds with East Devon's Education Ranger James Chubb.

Seaton Marshes Local Nature Reserve (East Devon District Council)

RIDE AND STRIDE : The World Heritage Site has produced a new map for East Devon and Exeter with winter bus timetable information showing how you can make the most of the bus and footpath networks....so why not get onboard for the best views!

SOUTH WEST PROTECTECTED LANDSCAPES: A commitment to build a more sustainable future for our landscapes from the 15 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks in the South West. Prospectus launched 10 December by Sir Harry Studholme (Chairman South West Regional Development Agency), Doug Hulyer (Natural England Board Member) and Rachel Thomas (Exmoor Society).

 

To view these pages in larger text, select 'View' in your browser software and then 'Text size'.


 

 

 

 


  
Ladram rocks walkers on hill © Ian Dagleish  
  

 

Whether you're just visiting or live here, the East Devon AONB offers you plenty to do.....

February Walk of the Month: Experience the delights of the River Otter along the easy access path or walk through time along the Triassic Cliffs to Ladram Bay on

the Lower Otter Valley and Ladram Bay Walk. Discover a wealth of wildlife, history and culture along the way.

Bird watching (Watercolour by P.Lightfoot/East Devon AONB)

Try out one of many local recreation groups in our recreation and walks section...many welcome new members and its a great way for visitors to discover our fabulous landscape with local experts.

Sidbury Village - © June Woodger  
  

 

The rural way of life and market towns of East Devon make this a vibrant community in which to live.

Make the most of your Village Hall facilities - visit Devon Village Halls

BRINGING THE PAST TO LIFE- PARISHSCAPES is our 3 year lottery-funded community project that can help you learn about our past and present landscape.

BE INSPIRED BY OUR LANDSCAPE AND COAST: Work with the World Heritage Site arts co-ordinator. Details of local arts and cultural activity can also be found on the East Devon District Council website.

Footpath post marker - © East Devon AONB Team  
  

 

Find out about our latest press releases, education/resources, how to volunteer in the area or where the AONB boundary is.

Our SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FUND is a small grant scheme available to communities, groups and businesses across the East Devon AONB. Since 2004 we have provided £287,000 to 65 projects with a total value of £965,000- which makes a difference locally. APPLY NOW

 

Blacklake Farm art project (East Devon AONB Sustainable Development Fund)

 

 

 

'MAKING IT LOCAL': A £2.4 million funding programme covering the East Devon and Blackdown Hills AONB areas. Click here for details on how to apply, upcoming training, events, funded projects and details of NEW Small Grants Scheme.

WOODFUEL ADVICE: see the simple guide to woodfuel or the short educational film 'Woodfuel - Energy that grows on trees'.
Tractor with Plough - near Bonehayne - © Ian Dalgleish, Countryside Agency  
  

 

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER: Land management guidelines are now available for anyone involved in making decisions about the landscape- from planning to creating wildlife habitat.

LOOKING OUT FOR BATS is our 3 year landscape-scale bat conservation initiative. Read how last years bat tracking is revealing new information on Greater Horseshoe bat behaviour and how we can then help farmers access stewardship.

CLIMATE CHANGE TRADE FAIR: Save and profit by acting on climate change. Drop in anytime between 9 am and 5pm, Wednesday 10th Feb at Exeter Racecourse for one-to-one advice, training seminars or trade stands. Free to farmers with a holding number, £5 to others.

Got a small wood? Working in the woods? Contact our Blackdown Hills and East Devon Woodland Association. Join other woodland owners, find a contractor or find a craftsman.

UNDERCLIFFS NNR - HAVE YOUR SAY: A new management plan for this specatacular coastal National Nature Reserve is available for consultation 8 Feb to 8 March.

Many individuals and organisations work to conserve and enhance this finest landscape through the East Devon AONB Partnership.
East Devon Publications
  

A range of publications are available from this site.

Revised and recently adopted EAST DEVON AONB MANAGEMENT STRATEGY (2009-2014) 'Making the landscape work' is now available. For the full document and supporting information follow this link to our webpages.

Our 2008/09 ANNUAL REVIEW showcases our work and achievements across our protected landscape. It was launched along with the new Management Strategy at our Annual Forum at Bicton College, 2 July, attended by over 75 people.

LOOK AFTER YOUR LAND WITH ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP- new guide to the benefits and how to apply for this scheme, which rewards you for conserving and enhancing this special landscape. (PDF download 1.3mb)