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....

LOOKING OUT FOR BATS: “As a landscape-scale biodiversity initiative working hand-in-hand with farmers, local wildlife enthusiasts as well as schools, this is just the sort of wildlife project that AONBs do so well and just the sort of project fit for 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity”, Pete Youngman (AONB team). Follow progress in our current edition of "Echoes"

BEAUTY AND THE BEACH: The Grizzly 2010 race returned to the East Devon AONB, Sunday 7 March. One of the best cross country runs in the country, with over 2000 competitors, as well as being a huge community fund raiser. It is organised by local running club Axe Valley Runners.

JURASSIC COAST ANNUAL SEMINAR: 11 March, 6:30 to 8:30pm near Bridport (Please book). Review of achievements and a showcase for a local youth music group from Lyme Regis - B Sharp - who will be performing their fantastic piece "The Big Bang", about the history of time and evolution.

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 - there is plenty to do in Natural England's Undercliffs National Nature Reserve this March! Have a bash at scrub bashing!

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

MAKING IT LOCAL WORKSHOPS : Gain helpful tips on applying for grants from our £2.4 million Making it Local funding programme or discuss project eligibility with our Development Officers, Hattie Winter and Nicola Buckingham. Choice of 2 events - 22 March 2:00-4:00 pm at The Institute, Ottery St Mary or 24 March 1:30-3:30 at Combe St Nicolas Village Hall. Contact 01823 680626 for more details.

PARISHSCAPES CONFERENCE: "Figures in the Landscape" is this year's annual conference at the Norman Lockyer Observatory, Sidmouth, 17 April. For a booking form follow this link.e titl

RURAL AND BUSINESS SKILLS:

Kickstart the new year by learning a new skill and choose from a wide range of traditional rural crafts, from hedgelaying to cheese making or find out about a business course.

SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS: Enter now. Federation of Small Businesses Devon have launched their third Business Awards. They are open to all small businesses in Devon, not just FSB members. Closing date 19th March

 

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Ladram rocks walkers on hill © Ian Dagleish  
  

 

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

March Walk of the Month: Not up for the Grizzly race 7th March? Why not take the easier route down to Branscombe Mouth with our easy access walking information. Look out for the snowdrops in the bottom of the valley and other plants urging spring to arrive!

South West Coast Path, Branscombe Mouth copyright Peter Lightfoot, East Devon AONB

Try out one of many local 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.

TRAVEL THROUGH TIME: Click here for your guide to getting around the Jurassic Coast, East Devon and Dorset, as well as the South West's other World Heritage Sites.

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. Fancy a big night in? Villages in Action run a programme of theatre and music in villages across the AONB, check out what's going on and sign up for upcoming events.

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. Historic Tithe maps for all East Devon AONB parishes now online: Take your first clicks to becoming a landscape detective!

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. The fund is now fully allocated this financial year.

 

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.

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. Bookings for the AGM, 31 March now being taken BOOK NOW

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.

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

SOUTH WEST PROTECTED 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).

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)