Visiting

Places to Visit

The following places to visit are situated in the East Devon AONB and immediate vicinity:

Beaches

The beaches listed below have disabled access, toilets, parking nearby and refreshments. Some provide lifeguards and many offer water sports, boating, fishing and swimming. Dogs are welcome, even in summer clearly marked areas on most beaches can be accessed

Exmouth: Two-mile sandy beach, watersports, boat trips, beach hut, deck chair hire.

Budleigh Salterton: Two-mile quiet, uncrowded pebble beach, beach hut hire.

Ladram Bay: Small shingle beach, boat, deckchair hire.

Sidmouth Jacob's Ladder: Mile-long sand and pebble beach, beach hut, deckchair hire.

Sidmouth Town Beach: Mile-long sand and pebbles, watersports, boat trips, deckchair hire.

Branscombe: Two-mile quiet, uncrowded, pebble beach, motor boat hire. Private car park.

Beer: Pebble beach, boat trips, beach hut, deckchair hire, fishing trips.

Seaton: Mile-long pebble beach, beach hut, deckchair hire.

Nature Reserves

Seaton Marshes

East Devon District Council Local Nature Reserve

A large area of wetland and marsh, Seaton is a honeypot for birdlife, especially in the autumn and winter months. There is a bird hide on the reserve taking in breathtaking views of the Axe estuary and the LNR Seaton Marshes LNR

Colyford Common

East Devon District Council Local Nature Reserve

Situated on the Axe estuary, the reserve supports many rare plants and animals. A viewing platform looks out over the estuary and in the winter this area attracts hundreds of birds Colyford Common

Trinity Hill

East Devon District Council Local Nature Reserve

A heathland oasis amongst a desert of coniferous plantation. Roe deer lie amongst the heathers, while stonechats and yellowhammers call from the small trees Trinity Hill

Fire Beacon Hill

East Devon District Council Local Nature Reserve

Once the location of a Spanish Armada beacon, this heathland overlooking Sidmouth is a prime vantage point over the surrounding countryside. As well as stunning views, the heath is full of life - look out for dartford warblers moving amongst the gorse Fire Beacon Hill

Otter Estuary

Devon Wildlife Trust Reserve

This reserve lies just to the east of Budleigh Salterton and contains the whole of the estuary of the river Otter, together with a small adjacent area of reed bed and grazing marsh. The estuary has more saltmarsh vegetation than any other in Devon and, together with the tidal mudflats, provides an important feeding and resting area for over-wintering birds Otter Estuary

Undercliffs National Nature Reserve

The reserve is a costal strip which lies between Axmouth and Lyme Regis and is the best example of active landslip system in Europe . The site is a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) for vegetated sea cliff communities and is internationally important for fossils, Red Data Book (RDB) invertebrates, plus a mosaic of habitats. Undercliffs NNR

Holyford Woods

East Devon District Council Local Nature Reserve

Holyford Woods is a beautiful woodland, nestled in a picturesque valley near Seaton. In the spring the woodland floor is carpeted in bluebells and the air is filled with the aroma of wild garlic. A goyle, or sunken stream runs through the heart of the woodland, feeding the Stafford Brook which runs into the Axe estuary at the nearby Colyford Common Local Nature Reserve Holyford Woods

Offwell Woodland Trust

The Offwell Woodland and Wildlife Trust is responsible for the restoration of a 50 acre Forestry Commission site in East Devon , which has now become the Woodland Education Centre. Much of the woodland has been restored and supports woodland plants and animals such as badgers, deer and woodpeckers. An area of heathland is also being restored and the Centre now has three ponds, a small lake as well as wetlands and marsh. www.offwell.info/

Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The Blackdown Hills are a little-known group of hills lying on the border of Devon and Somerset. Broadly, the area extends from Wellington in the north to Honiton in the south and from Cullompton in the west to Chard in the east. The Blackdown Hills are best known for the dramatic, steep, wooded scarp face they present to the north. To the south the land dips away gently as a plateau, deeply dissected by valleys. The isolated villages and farmsteads retain a quiet rustic charm and there are a number of important archaeological sites to add richness to the landscape. Above all, what makes the Blackdown Hills special is the unspoilt rural character of the "ordinary" landscape. Farming, largely dairy, has retained many traditional practices. The area remains sparsely populated and there are no towns within the AONB.

Visit the Blackdown Hills Rural Partnership website at: www.blackdown-hills.net

Craft Centres

Kingfisher Gallery and Watermill

Art gallery, watermill and tearooms set in the beautiful Sid Valley . For further details contact Sidmouth TIC sidmouthtic@eclipse.co.uk

Historic Houses

Sand

This historic house with tranquil valley garden is one of the hidden gems of East Devon . Guided tours of this lived-in home are conducted by family members. www.eastdevon.net

Marine House

Marine House at Beer is at the heart of the village providing a focus for anyone living in or visiting East Devon who is interested in original art and handmade crafts. A wide and constantly changing range of painting, sculpture, pottery, ceramics, glassware, jewellery and more, made by new and established local and international artists and The Beer Pottery. Superb handmade domestic pottery made on site. www.marinehouse-at-beer.co.uk

Shute Barton

A National Trust property, one of the most important surviving non-fortified manor houses of the Middle Ages with battlement turrets, late Gothic windows and a Tudor gatehouse Shute Barton

Museums

Axe Valley Heritage Museum

The museum concentrates on the lower Axe Valley and is well known for its excellent collection of old photographs of the area. These come mainly from the E.S. Gosling collection. There are many other displays including; The Roman site at Honeyditches, The Natural History of the area and a display of Victorian costumes. All are well worth a visit. www.seatonmuseum.co.uk

Sidmouth Museum

The museum reflects the history of Sidmouth and the Sid Valley and is the starting point for regular Guided Strolls around this unique town. www.devonmuseums.net

Fairlynch Museum

The displays illustrate aspects of Budleigh Salterton and the villages of the Lower Otter Valley - geology, archaeology, ecology and people. Collections include costumes, lace, toys and pastimes, books by local authors and pictures by local artists. www.devonmuseums.net/fairlynch

Places of Interest

Beer Quarry Caves

A vast man - made complex of underground caverns created by centuries of quarrying the famous Beer Stone - part of the Jurassic Coast , England 's only Natural World Heritage Site. Conducted tours are available by trained guides, giving the visitor an hour-long tour and bringing to life the hardship and dangers faced by those who worked underground. www.beerquarrycaves.fsnet.co.uk

Bicton Park Botanical Gardens

Magnificent gardens set in East Devon's picturesque Otter Valley . Featuring an 18 th Century Italian Garden, Palm House, Mediterranean Garden, Arboretum, Orangery, railway, museum and children's indoor and outdoor play areas. For further details visit www.bictongardens.co.uk

Otterton Mill

Historic working watermill with superb gallery and craft centre, restaurant featuring local produce, famous bakery and artist's studios featuring some of the best artists from Devon, Dorset and Somerset . Outside picnic area and wildlife area beside the beautiful River Otter. For futher details visit www.ottertonmill.com

Blackbury Camp

An Iron Age 'fort' or settlement site located about a couple of miles north-west of Seaton in East Devon . A place of solitude surrounded by woodland and farmland. English Heritage

Farway Countryside Park

East Devon 's favourite farm based tourist attraction, where you are guaranteed a fun day out for children and adults of all ages. Enjoy the breathtaking views as you walk the woodland nature trail and visit the farm animals including rare breeds.

www.countrysideparkfarway.co.uk

Donkey Sanctuary

Home to over 400 rescued donkeys with an information centre, restaurant and picnic area. Five beautiful walks in serene and relaxing surroundings. Open 365 days of the year from dawn to dusk. www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

Pecorama

Situated on the hillside above the picturesque fishing village of Beer , this attraction has something to offer every member of the family, including a fascinating Model Railway Exhibition. Picturesque gardens are also home to the famous Beer Heights Light Railway , giving wonderful views of Beer and Lyme Bay . www.peco-uk.com

Sea Discovery Centre

The centre is on the eastern side of the river Axe, beside the harbour and boasts a large range of sealife from the Seaton Bay , such as crabs, lobster, starfish, sea mice, sea hens, bass, skate etc. Sample the Seafood Delicatessen, or purchase your fishing tackle from the shop. Tel 01297 24774.

Seaton Tramway

Our trams run through the glorious Axe Valley in East Devon , and provide an unrivalled vantage point from which to enjoy the scenery and wildlife of this unspoilt area. www.tram.co.uk

Lyme Bay Cider Company

The Lyme Bay Cider Company produces traditional West Country Cider and other tipples, including liqueurs and wines traditionally made from hedgerow fruits and flowers. Located in the lovely Axe Valley , at the heart of East Devon 's countryside, the shop offers a complete range of products plus a wide selection of locally produced food and drinks. www.lymebaywinery.co.uk

World of Country Life

Town and country come together for a great day out for all the family. Attractions include exhibitions, animals, play areas, vintage vehicles, motorcycles, pirate ship adventure, deer train safari ride. www.worldofcountrylife.co.uk

The Old Bakery, Manor Mill and Forge

The Old Bakery is a stone-built and partially rendered building beneath thatch, which until 1987 was the last traditional working bakery in Devon . The old baking equipment has been preserved in the baking room and the rest of the building now serves as a tea-room. Manor Mill, still in working order and recently restored, is a water-powered mill which probably supplied the flour for the bakery. The forge is open daily and the blacksmith sells the ironwork he produces. The Old Bakery

Norman Lockyer Observatory

An historic astronomical observatory and radio station operated by The Norman Lockyer Observatory Society. The Observatory was established in 1912 by Sir Joseph Norman Lockyer for astronomical research. Now the Observatory is operated for the benefit of science education, to promote the public awareness of science and to provide a facility where individuals and groups can participate in projects and the recreational study of science in a practical way. www.ex.ac.uk/nlo

Stuart Line Cruises

is a family-run business operating from Exmouth, offering the opportunity to cruise along the calm waters of the beautiful River Exe or to view the unique South Devon Coastline, including the recently declared World Heritage Site known as the Jurassic Coast, between Exmouth and Sidmouth. www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk

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