Wild Devon

Take a Walk on the Wild Side in Devon

Devon is heaven for those who relish the wild. From a secluded picnic in the middle of nowhere, to inspiring wilderness walks, and wind swept coast to untamed moorland – Devon is the perfect place to walk on the wild side!

The following is our guide to some of the county’s top wild experiences – be it a walk through ancient woodland, back to nature camping on Dartmoor, foraging for wild food on the coast, getting up close and personal with animal inhabitants, or staying at a hidden retreat in the back of beyond!

Wild Walks
Treks, hikes and tramps through wild and wonderful countryside

Spectacular views and open heathland on the east coast
This wild route joins together footpaths, bridleways and quiet country lanes to create a walk that winds inland through gently undulating country to link Exmouth and Lyme Regis. The views are spectacular as you cross open heathland, pass through woodland and follow trickling streams. The 40 mile (64km) route can be broken up into day long walks serviced by local buses.www.eastdevonaonb.org.uk/documents/EastDevonWayleafletweb.pdf

Wildlife walks at Berry Head
Barmy about birds, butterflies or bats? Then join local wildlife experts on a series of wonderful wildlife walks. The Torbay Coast and Countryside Wildlife Trust regularly runs themed walks on its beautiful sites at Berry Head and Cockington.
www.countryside-trust.org.uk

A weekend of walking in wild North Devon
Really get into the slower pace of life with a weekend of walking in North Devon. Based from ‘Home Farm’ in the pretty hamlet of Mead, you will walk out along the coast of Welcombe, the wild waterfall at Speke’s Mill, rugged Hartland Point and the isolated deep valley of Stanbury Mouth. Spot wild plant and study the buzzards as they hover over the spectacular coastline. Weekend breaks cost from £189 per person with North Devon based Way2go4.
www.way2go4.com

Wild flowers along the Exe Valley Way
This wonderful long distance route takes you along the beautiful, unspoilt valley of the river Exe. Whichever stage you opt for, you’ll be sure to experience wild Devon at its best, from the roaring River Exe to ancient woodlands. Go in spring to see wild flowers galore, including violets, early purple orchids and Indian Balsam. www.devon.gov.uk/exevalleyway.pdf

Wildlife
Devon’s wild flora and fauna at it’s finest

Watch Peregrine Falcons in Plymbridge Woods
Head to Plymbridge Woods to see the nesting Peregrines in the dramatic location of Cann Quarry. For many decades, visitors to Plymbridge Woods have enjoyed the opportunity to observe these spectacular birds and in 2001 the National Trust set up a protection watch to guard them from harm. www.plym-peregrines.co.uk

Bird lovers paradise at Seaton Marshes
Set on the tidal floodplain of the River Axe, from its estuary mouth at Axmouth to the grazing marshland at Colyton, Seaton Marsh Nature Reserve is a unique habitat. Recently awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award, the reserve is a great place to spot Curlews, Redshank Sandpipers and Oystercatchers. The marshes are also home to Mallards, Moorhens, Herons and many types of Gulls – as well as migrating species. Head to the purpose built viewing hide and enjoy the spectacle.www.eastdevon.gov.uk/seaton_marshes_local_nature_reserve

Bats and Guillemots at Berry Head, Brixham
The rare plants that grow in this site’s thin, dessicated limestone soils form a community that is not found anywhere else in the UK. A number of very rare Greater Horseshoe bats live in caves in the limestone and the colony of Guillemots breeding on the cliffs is the largest on the Channel coast.
www.countryside-trust.org.uk

Enter the secret world of the otter
Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary offers a rare insight into the fascinating life of the elusive otter. Watch the otters swimming underwater in specially built glass enclosures and shadow the otter keeper as he feeds the animals. You can even take part in a half day ‘Otter Experience’ getting under the skin of these fascinating animals and taking part in the day to day activities at the sanctuary. Entry costs £7.25 for adults and £5.25 for children. This includes entry to the Buckfast Butterflies. The ‘Otter Experience’ costs from £100 for one person and £150 for two.
www.ottersandbutterflies.co.uk

Butterflies and deer in Haldon Forest
Explore 3,500 acres of dramatic forest and 25 miles of purpose built off-road trails at Haldon Forest Park. The trails have individual themes - the Butterfly Trail takes you deeper into the wild forest to search for species of butterfly, dragonfly and damselfly - you may even stumble upon a family of deer!
www.haldonforestpark.org.uk

Something different – Llama walks on the Jurassic Coast
Discover the wild coast of East Devon accompanied by an alternative four legged friend. Llama walks cost from £20 per person.
www.walkingwithllamas.co.uk

Wild Camping
Fancy getting back to nature, away from creature comforts?

Moorland Isolation
Backpacking and sleeping wild on Dartmoor is tremendous – enjoy the starwatching on clear nights and awake to spectacular views! Camping for one or two nights on the open land on Dartmoor is perfectly acceptable provided that you choose your spot sensibly.
www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/vi-wildcamping.htm

Cloud Farm Camping
This one is a top tip from Jonathan Knight, Author of the Cool Camping Guide UK:
‘One of my favourite places to camp is at Cloud Farm, a campsite with tea rooms, campfires and horse-riding stables, tucked away in Doone Valley. Here you can find a nice place to pitch down by the river, light a fire and cook up a feast ready for another day of walking or riding on the 10,000 acres of pristine, car-free countryside which adjoin the site '
www.doonevalleyholidays.co.uk

Wild camping for softies
Camping in a wild location without the flapping canvas! Hartland Camping Barn is located close to the rugged Hartland Peninsula. A converted barn designed to act as an indoor camping experience. Three rooms each sleep up to six with basic mattresses on the floor, a bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen. Great value for a group from just £13 per person.
www.hartlandcampingbarn.co.uk

Wild Food
From foraging to perfectly wild picnic spots…

From Sea to Plate – Catch & Cook Mackerel
Head out to sea on Friday 31 July to try your hand at catching local mackerel. The day, organised by Occombe Farm, includes fishing followed by a cookery lesson from professional chef David Jones, from Manna from Devon cookery school. Learn how to turn your wild catch into a culinary masterpiece, and find out more about eating local, sustainable, wild fish. The trip departs Torquay Harbour at 10am and costs £30 for members/ £45 for non members.
www.countryside-trust.org.uk

Fungus Forays
Haldon Forest Park hosts a number of wild fungus forays throughout the autumn and winter. The next one is taking place on 17 October. Join one of the sessions to discover a world of fascinating fungi and learn about identification and edibility of Devon’s wild mushrooms.
www.haldonforestpark.org.uk

Learn about our edible wild surroundings
Want to perfect your foraging skills and learn how to cook your hedgerow or seashore finds? Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s River Cottage runs numerous cooking events and courses from Axminster, including ‘Edible Hedgerow’, ‘Edible Seashore’ and ‘Mushroom Foraging’ courses.
www.rivercottage.net

Wild picnic spot - Thatchers Point, Torbay
Possibly the most perfect wild picnic spot! Thatchers Rock is located just 300 metres from the shore and has stunning views across the Bay, making it a breathtaking spot to spread a picnic blanket. Located along the South West Coast Path close to Meadfoot Beach
www.southwestcoastpath.com

Wild Swimming
Top rivers, swimming spots and secret beaches

Sharrah Pool on Dartmoor – Wild Swim favourite
Kate Rew, founder of the Outdoor Swimming Society and author of Wild Swim has a Dartmoor favourite: 'For an amazing outdoor dip head to Sharrah Pool on Dartmoor. This is a 100 metre crystal clear stretch of the River Dart, sandwiched between smooth granite boulders. Access is by foot only, around forty minutes walk through ancient woodland. For a more accessible spot of the River Dart head for Spitwich Common, a popular picnic spot, where there is a waterfall at one end and a natural Jacuzzi, stunning!'
www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com

Deserted coves on Torbay coast
Elberry Cove, near Broadsands, is a pretty shingle beach with beautiful clear water – perfect for a dip. It is a gorgeous spot where the romantic ruins of Lord Churston's castle-like bathing house hug the shoreline. It can only be reached by footpath from Broadsands, meaning it is a tranquil retreat away from the crowds. Another idyllic bathing secret is nearby Churston Cove, with its surrounding cliffs and wooded hillsides.
www.englishriviera.co.uk .

Victorian jacuzzi’s in the River Teign
The River Teign runs for 30 miles between Dartmouth and Teignmouth. In the section running below the National Trust property at Castle Drogo take a dip in the plunge pools that cascade into one another - a popular jacuzzi spot with the Victorians. As recommended in ‘Wild Swimming’ by Daniel Start.

Sunset swimming
Saunton Sands is a three mile sandy beach on the North Devon coast. It’s a beautiful spot popular with surfers so watch out for them when taking a dip. The long beach mean’s you’re likely to find a spot all to yourself. A great location for an early evening swim, you might even get a stunning sunset to enhance your wild swim.

Wild Water
Rugged coastline, wild waves and white water adventures

Take a Sea Trek
Sea Trek is a new RIB ride from Plymouth Barbican, run in association with the National Marine Aquarium. There are a range of trips on offer, including the Coastal Explorer, Shipwreck Special and Evening Breakwater and Mewstone Circumnavigator. There are hydrophones on board for listening to marine life, plus binoculars, underwater viewing boxes and underwater cameras.
www.seatrek-plymouth.co.uk

Ride the wild waves
Looking to learn to ride some wild waves on Devon’s infamous North Coast? Take lessons at Surf South West – one of the UK's leading surfing centres and the first in Europe to be awarded Level 4 status by the British Surfing Association. They have schools based on the spectacular beaches at Croyde Bay and Saunton Sands. Come along and experience the unforgetable thrill of riding a wave!www.surfsouthwest.com

Cling to the coast
Coasteering is the perfect way to explore the coastline of North Devon and there are few activities that will get you closer to the sea and the life that inhabits the waters around North Devon. Swim, scramble and climb along the rocks and then leap into the sea before moving on further around the coastal edge to the next challenge. Keep an eye out for aquatic wildlife, hidden rock pools and beaches often inaccessible to other people  www.h2outdoor.co.uk

Wild rapids on the River Dart
The River Dart provides the perfect location for a wild whitewater experience. Open to Kayakers from October to March, the River Dart with its steep granite rivers and challenging rapids offers options for all levels of experience. CRS Adventures offers whitewater rafting on six person rafts down the Dart led by a fully qualified and experienced guide. From £35 per person.www.crsadventures.com

Wild Retreats
Wilderness Hideaways far from the madding crowd

Devon’s wild island
Located off the coast of North Devon, Lundy Island is home to seals, dolphins and numerous rare birds, including puffins. The surrounding seas have been designated England’s first Marine Nature Reserve and there are opportunities for diving. The Landmark Trust offers a selection of quirky accommodation including a stone cottage for one, a lighthouse, a castle and an old school.
www.lundyisland.co.uk

Eco retreat in the Blackdown Hills
Approached by a private drive and surrounded by 30 acres of land in the beautiful Blackdown Hills, Swallow’s Nest is a luxury eco holiday cottage, lovingly created by owners Sue and Neil from a derelict milking parlour. View the abundant wildlife in the 15 acre woodland, take a dip in the natural spring fed lake and relish in the natural beauty of your surroundings.
www.devonecoholidays.co.uk

Designer living meets wild coastline
Seacombe is cleverly tucked away between East Prawle and East Portlemouth sitting above a sandy beach. The house offers total seclusion and isolation for you and six friends and the glass frontage means you can look out right across the water. Head out on a dramatic coastal walk or perhaps a dip in the ocean on one of the nearby secluded coves before returning to your state-of-the-art seaside pad.
www.seacombe-devon.co.uk

Wild Dartmoor bolthole
Close to the open moor The Shippen is a refurbished barn that sleeps up to four people. An open plan interior echoes the wild surroundings with wood and stone. The open moor at Cox Tor is only a ten minute walk up a 'no through' lane. Stabling is available should you wish to bring your own horse. When you fancy a break from your wilderness cottage, nearby village Peter Tavy has a pub serving hearty fayre.
www.dartmoorholidays.co.uk