Community
Towns and Villages
The following towns and villages are situated in the East Devon AONB and immediate vicinity:
- Budleigh Salterton
- Exmouth
- Sidmouth
- Seaton
- Ottery St Mary
- Honiton
- Axminster
- Axmouth
- Beer
- East Budleigh
- Yettington
- Otterton
- Colaton Raleigh
- Newton Poppleford
- Salcombe Regis
- Sidbury
- Branscombe
- Farway
- Southleigh
- Colyton
- Northleigh
- Offwell
- Wilmington
- Colyford
- Shute
- Kilmington
- Musbury
- Combpyne Rousdon
- Whitford
- Uplyme
Budleigh Salterton
Budleigh Salterton offers a quiet and relaxing holiday destination, away from the stress of modern day life. Relax and enjoy the fresh sea air and unrivalled views of the dramatic glorious East Devon coastline. The charming High Street, with its small stream and quaint town houses, offers many excellent quality shops, restaurants and cafes.
Exmouth
Exmouth is well celebrated for its long two-miles of golden sand, sand dunes and fascinating rock pools. It is a paradise for children and adults with a marina, harbour and a wealth of coastal water sports. The Local Nature Reserve on the Exe Estuary is internationally known for its wildlife and thousands of waterfowl and waders visit in the winter, offering a truly inspiring natural spectacle.
Sidmouth
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The charm of Sidmouth is timeless, carefully nurtured and preserved to remain a constant pleasure. John Betjeman saw Sidmouth as a feast of visual delight. To you it may be a floral extravaganza, a peaceful opportunity to unwind, an ideally situated base from which to explore, an adventure ground of limitless outdoor enjoyment. |
Seaton
The gentle sweep of the mile of open coastline makes Seaton a delightful coastal town where British and foreign holidaymakers have been coming for generations. Since the swift rise to popularity of water sports, Seaton has enjoyed an enviable revival in tourism and visitors can also enjoy the close proximity to the beautiful coastal and country walks of East Devon .
Ottery St Mary
Ottery St. Mary is a town steeped in history, tradition and folklore and is famously the birthplace of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, one of England 's finest poets. Set in the beautiful surroundings of the Otter valley and within 20 minutes drive from Exeter , it is both a perfect tourist destination, East Devon 's most central town and an excellent place to live.
Honiton
The historic town of Honiton set in the heart of the beautiful Devon countryside grew up as a coaching stop on the busy London to Exeter route. That traditional hospitality continues today with the town offering visitors a warm and friendly welcome. Visit the Allhallows Museum , housing many items of local interest including exhibits of Honiton Lace. Honiton has something for everyone with local walks, horse riding, swimming and golf to name just a few and the beach is just a short drive away.
Axminster
Axminster is the focal point of the Axe Valley and owes its position to the meeting of two Roman roads and the crossing of the river, The street layout has Anglo Saxon origins and the town's winding streets take you back in time when its Fairs, Abbey and Markets helped the town to prosper. Nowadays the feel of a bustling country community is recreated in the town square and regular panniers market.
Axmouth
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The peace and tranquility of 20th Century Axmouth are sufficient reasons for visiting this picturesque East Devon village with its Norman church, quaint cottages and two fine houses, dating from the 15th and 17th centuries. Axmouth was once a thriving south coast port but trading from the harbour has long since ended and it is now the home of the local fishermen and the Axe Yacht Club.
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Beer
A beautiful seaside fishing village and resort, where you can enjoy a holiday, go fishing or shopping, enjoy the sunshine on a sheltered beach or ramble on the cliffs and in the surrounding unspoilt countryside. The resort is well known for its skilful fishermen, they will take you angling, mackerel fishing or for a coastal trip.
East Budleigh
East Budleigh nestles in the heart of the Otter Valley and includes the hamlets of Great and Little Knowle. There is a large farmhouse in East Budleigh , celebrated as the birth place of Sir Walter Raleigh and the ancient All Saints Church, with its tower and five bells.
Yettington
The small hamlet of Yettington is surrounded by open farmland, approximately 3 miles from the coast at Budleigh Salterton. Lovely walks are available at nearby Woodbury Common and there is ample opportunity for birdwatching in the Otter Valley
Otterton
Otterton, tucked into the fold of the hills to the east of the river Otter, derives its name from that river and is home to a lively, friendly community. Many cob and thatch cottages and the traditional farmhouses stand in the main street interspersed with 20th century cottages of various styles, built for estate workers. There is also a working watermill www.ottertonmill.com
Colaton Raleigh
Colaton Raleigh is bounded by the River Otter, approximately 4 miles north of Budleigh Salterton. The Parish Church was built before 1226 and was rebuilt in 1875 with the exception of the 15th. century tower. Place court in Church Road formerly belonged to the abbots of Dunkeswell, but became Dean's House when it was given to Archdeacon Serlo, first Dean of Exeter, who was the first recorded Rector of Colaton Raleigh. It is generally believed that Sir Walter Raleigh was baptised in the small oratory over the porch.
Newton Poppleford
Newton Poppleford is a long village nestling in the Otter Valley . It is an attractive rural setting of mainly farmland, bounded by a ridge of heathland to the west and wooded hills to the east. Newton Poppleford has a vibrant local community with lots of facilities. It is also a good base for walking and there is the RSPB Aylesbeare nature reserve at the top of the hill to the west.
Salcombe Regis
The village of Salcombe Regis is in one of the most beautiful combes on the coast. Unspoilt and secluded it comes alive in the spring at the annual Salcombe Regis Country Fair and is the home of the Donkey Sanctuary.
Sidbury
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Sidbury is a charming village in the picturesque Sid Valley . It is one of the oldest settlements in East Devon with the Iron Age hillfort, Sidbury 'Castle' predating everything in the whole valley. The Church of St Giles has the oldest Norman vaulted tower in Devon and the crypt, rediscovered in 1898, is only one of six in the country. Sidbury Fair week is a regular feature in September www.eastdevon.net/Towns/Sidbury/index.htm
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Branscombe
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www.eastdevon.net/Towns/Branscombe/index.htm Branscombe is one of the most relaxing and picturesque of East Devon 's many villages, it sweeps down along a spectacular valley, past colourful cottages down to the sea. There are pretty rows of thatched cottages with hanging baskets and climbing roses, a picturesque dovery and a church with one of the most inspiring views in the county. Life centres around the two pubs, the Fountain Head and the Masons Arms. Branscombe has a number of historic, but still working buildings, the old bakery and the forge being just two. The surrounding countryside is a walkers delight with direct access to the spectacular coastal path.
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Farway
A peaceful hamlet at the head of the Coly Valley, with access to more remote parts of the East Devon Way.
Southleigh
A picturesque village, 3 miles west of Colyton. Unspoilt and secluded but welcomes a wealth of visitors every August for the popular Southleigh Show.
Colyton
A small town with a village atmosphere , enjoying a beautiful location in the Axe Valley where the rivers Axe and Coly meet. Cycle routes and the East Devon Way for walkers pass through Colyton. Colyton's central carpark is also the location of the Colyton History Centre, where you can find out a wealth of information on local history and families. Click here for opening times. Alternatively, explore the historic church, visit the Antiques Centre, art galleries and centres of crafting excellence such as the Colyton Wheelwrights at Road Green, or call at the tram station to see the restored trams bringing visitors to Colyton. www.colyton.co.uk or the Town Council website is available at www.colytonparishcouncil.co.uk.uk
Northleigh
Peaceful village in the Coly valley, surrounded by delightful pastoral landscape.
Offwell
A pleasant village in an attractive rural setting with a vibrant local community. Home to the Offwell Woodland and Wildlife Trust. www.offwell.info/
Wilmington
The village of Wilmington is shared by both East Devon AONB and the Blackdowns AONB. Castle Hill and the 14 th Century St Cuthburts Church are of notable historical interest.
Colyford
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Colyford was formerly an Ancient Borough of long-standing and still elects a Mayor. There is a strong sense of community within the village and the social scene is centred on the Memorial Hall. Much village effort is put into the annual Michaelmas Goose Fayre, held on Springfields on the south side of the village. Villagers and friends dress in medieval costume, with mummers and medieval music, as they follow the Mayor and his Lady, in a horse-drawn cart, as they process along the main road to the fayre ground.
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Shute
A picturesque village set against the imposing presence of Shute Barton, a National Trust property.
Kilmington
A pleasant village on the western bank of the River Axe, nestled on the other side of Shute woods from Shute. www.kilmingtonvillage.com
Musbury
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In the Axe Valley , below its Iron Age Castle Hill, Musbury is in a delightful setting in the wide valley. A pretty village, bright with gardens and indescribably peaceful.
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Combpyne Rousdon
Peaceful hamlets in the west of the AONB. Combpyne is situated in the bottom of an attractive valley while Rousden sits at the top of the plateau.
Whitford
A delightful village, nestling on the western bank of the River Axe.
Uplyme
Uplyme is one of the largest parishes in England with a boundary that stretches from the sea through hauntingly beautiful East Devon countryside. The village itself is situated in and around the steep sided valley of the historic river Lym and the parish is criss-crossed by an extensive network of footpaths centred round the East Devon Way which provides an inland alternative to the Coastal Path. www.uplymeparishcouncil.org/