South Devon National Landscape offers so much to do and see that it can be hard trying to fit it all in. Here are some ideas to get you started…
An hour
- Pick up a pasty and head for the coast or one of our beautiful estuaries. Find a sunny spot and sit back to enjoy lunch with a view.
- Leave the housework, desk or car behind and step outside for a brisk walk and some fresh air. With this much natural beauty all around, you are never far from somewhere to revive your soul.
- During June and July, go on a glow worm hunt! Choose a dry, still night and head out at dusk to hunt the hedgerows for these wonderful creatures. There are hotspots for glow worms in the National Landscape – find out more about them at www.glowworms.org.uk
- During May be blown away by bluebells! Download our Dartmouth Castle to Gallants Bower walking guide for one of the best views of the year. This short walk climbs the hill from the castle and into a sea of bluebells in the wonderful woodland.
Half a day
- Head for the beach and let the bracing salty air fill your lungs.
- Pop along to one of the farmers’ markets – in Totnes, Ivybridge,
- Kingsbridge or Dartmouth – and pick up some tasty local treats for dinner.
A day
- Trek some of the longest National Trails in the country on the South West Coast Path.
- Take to the water on a canoe and discover the quieter parts of the National Landscape estuaries. You can join an organised trip or hire a canoe for yourself.
- Check out our events guide chock full of walks, crafts and activities. There is something for everyone!
- Go native! Find a farm to visit or look for village fetes, fairs or festivals. Check out the information centres or local papers for details.
A weekend – or more (lucky you!)
- Go for a heritage theme and visit one of the many National Trust properties in the area. Enjoy the gardens, history and of course, the fab cafes! Find out more about local history of the area at our local museums. Finish off with one of our Cultural or Town trails.
- For a wilder weekend, book yourself a place on a boat trip to do a spot of seal watching; grab your binoculars and head to the cliffs to catch some birdlife; pop along to Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve to look for bats, badgers and dormice; then take a stroll through the beautiful Avon Valley and enjoy the woodland.
