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 which includes National Parks.

 

Celebrate our heathland wildlife during Heath week. A ride on the Commons, 2800 acres granted for public access in 1930 by the 21st Baron Clinton.

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 to get produce straight from the farm gate to your plate.

What's going on now....

BAT TALK : Find out about our bat tracking work in East Devon - come to a talk entitled 'A year in the life of a bat' at Kilmington Village Hall, Wednesday

8th Sept, 7:30pm.

To witness a bat swarming event at Colyton join us on 27th September, click on this link for more information. November 15th sees another opportunity to visit the bats in Beer Quarry Caves, see our events pages for more details.

WOODLAND CENTRE BIODIVERSITY CELEBRATIONS: Wildlife fun for all at the Offwell Woodland Education Centre, nr Honiton. From minibeast fun to wildlife photography and charcoal art or see a bird ringing demonstration. Saturday 11 Sept, from 9:30 am. Click here for all times and details.

CELEBRATE CYCLING IN SEPTEMBER: The Great Tour returns to Seaton on Saturday 4th September after starting its 6600km navigation of the British coastline back on the 4th July. The return also coincides with Seaton's carnival night too so definitely the place to be for celebrations. Later on in September, 14th, sees the return of the Tour of Britain. Once again the stretch through East Devon AONB is the toughest of the Tour and includes the huge climb up Peak Hill out of Sidmouth. Why not try your own mini-tour with one of 10 on-road cycle routes to choose from!

 

The AONB Sustainable Development Fund has supported farmers improve business efficiency and impacts on the land (credit FWAG)

Roundball Woods, community run nature reserve supported by the East Devon AONB Sustainable Development Fund

AONB ACHIEVEMENTS: Our 2009/10 ANNUAL REVIEW showcases our work and achievements across our protected landscape. It was launched at our Annual Forum at Uplyme Village Hall, 30 June, attended by over 80 people. Please contact the AONB Team if you want us to work with you or support you in your endeavours to conserve and enhance this nationally important landscape- Making it Local and the Sustainable Development Fund are 2 programmes supporting communities and business in and around the AONB.

SDF SHOWCASE ACROSS SOUTH WEST : The SWPL Sustainable Development Fund Showcase 2010 features projects that received some of the £1million SDF spend across the National Parks and AONBs in the south west last year. Lots of good examples from across our region to push forward the low carbon future, biodiversity targets and sustainable communities -  a genuine contribution from protected landscapes to the current 'Big Society' concept.

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). If you missed seeing the hibernating bats on BBC Countryfile Spring Special .... why not see our very own webfilm featuring 'batman' and a local school on a visit for a special insight into the secret world of hibernating bats.... in the internationally important Beer Quarry caves.

CELEBRATING SEATON'S BIODIVERSITY: New display celebrating the Axe Wetlands in this International Year of Biodiversity. Why not volunteer in the centre, in return you will be offered special wildlife training.

JURASSIC COAST QUALITY BUSINESS SCHEME: This Scheme aims to help optimise business performance, meet visitor expectations, realise the potential and share the real benefits that come with World Heritage status.

HEDGE YOUR BETS!: Proud of your hedgelaying? Get involved in Devon Hedge Watch in this the year of biodiversity....with prizes for the first 50 entries e titl

 

 

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Ladram rocks walkers on hill © Ian Dagleish  
  

 

Whether you're just visiting or live here, there are lots of events for you to join or plenty of activities to do in the East Devon AONB .....Geoneedle at Orcombe Point, Exmouth marks the start of the East Devon and Dorset Coast World Heritage Site

 

September Walk of the Month: Over the past few years Ospreys have stopped off at the Axe Estuary to feed as part of their southerly migration, so for an opportunity to see one of these great creatures, why not make Seaton & Axmouth Harbour your walk of the month. Click on the link for the leaflet but allow time for the download. Visit the Seaton Marshes Local Nature Reserve and see the work that's underway by the District's Countryside Services to create a world class wetlands attraction.

June to September sees the return of Sidmouth's Summer Hopper service....another great way of reaching parts of the AONB, like Mutter's Moor, other bus services can't reach....especially if you don't like the hills!

Try out one of the 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 the 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 a 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!

LANDANCE: Two great shows coinciding with our Heath Week Festival day 24/25 July at Woodbury Castle took place.... look out here for details on how to watch again on your PC if you missed them.

Renewal and Regeneration - an Exhibition by both established and emerging artists from the region at the newly refurbished Thelma Hulbert Gallery. Be amazed by the new gallery space and enjoy a little retail therapy in the shop, then finish off with refreshments in the coffee shop for a perfect day out.

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. And we are pleased to say that we are once again open for business for the

2010 - 2011 Sustainable Development Fund. And as this is the International Year of Biodiversity, we are keen to see some applications for wildlife enhancements projects.

Sustainable Development Fund supported improvements to DWT Bystock Pools reserve - visit the reserve as part of our HeathWeek activities

 

 

'MAKING IT LOCAL': A £2.4 million funding programme covering the East Devon and Blackdown Hills AONB areas - which offers a large and small grants programme for rural businesses and communities across the two protected landscapes and a number of market towns.

RURAL AND BUSINESS SKILLS:

Fancy learning a new skill or finding out about a local business course? You can even access a network of business specialists through the Business Information Point. Book a slot with Petra, last Tuesday of every month here at the Business Centre, made possible through our Making it Local fund - 01404 41719 or 07966 900221.
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.

WOODFUEL ADVICE: see the simple guide to woodfuel or the short educational film

'Woodfuel Energy that grows on trees'.

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.

“Horses, the Landscape and You” provides guidance, information and contacts to help make sure horses are well cared for and make a positive contribution to our landscape.

Our 2009/10 ANNUAL REVIEW showcases our work and achievements across our protected landscape. It was launched at our Annual Forum at Uplyme Village Hall, 30 June, attended by over 80 people.

ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) has now released the first in a series of Reports analysing data from their survey of rural community buildings. The report is available to download by clicking here

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)