Nearest Landscape & Nature Devon
Our Landscape and Nature category brings all Coast Radar’s Devon listings related to looking for something to do or a place to visit together where they offer some form of the countryside or coast path based activity.
Finding the best things to see and do on a Devon day out with your family or friends is easy – simply explore the countryside or coast path activity links below, hit the jump to my location button or use the search bar to plan your next Devon activity.
- Lydford Gorge is the deepest gorge in the South West, with the spectacular 30-metre Whitelady waterfall. Woodland trails through a deep-cut ravine alongside the river Lyd.
- Morte is a spectacular coastline of cliffs and coves, sandy beaches, dunes and headlands, important for its wildlife, archaeology and geology. Just some of the places to visit include:Baggy Point – Rocky headland marking the southern end of Woolacombe Bay above the surf haven of Croyde. Three mile stretch of golden sand lying between Mortehoe and Baggy Point. Mortehoe and Morte Point – Gorse and heather covered headland to the north of Woolacombe Bay. Torrs Walk to Rockham Bay – Coastline to the east of Morte Point, with small coves, outcrops and jagged slate cliffs.
- Bideford Bay and Hartland, coastal area away from the crowds, an excellent location for families and sporting groups. The Bideford Bay shoreline has excellent rock-pooling. With 30 miles of footpaths (14 miles of the South West Coast Path), you have many places to discover around the Hartland Peninsula and Bideford Bay. For off-road cycling (mountain biking) and horse riding there is a fairly challenging bridleway route from East Titchberry to Exmansworthy, Hartland. The bridleway from East Titchberry to Exmansworthy offers views to Lundy and across Bideford Bay to Morte Point. Kite surfers have Westward Ho! beach with seasonal life guards.
- The RHS Rosemoor garden has something for everyone. In 26 hectares (65 acres) you have fruit and vegetables to woodland, formal gardens to wildflower meadows and water features to foliage. Often events are held and why not visit the Rosemoor Restaurant, RHS Shop and Plant Centre.
- Tranquil park and woodland surrounding a small country house in Bovey Tracey on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. Garden park, walled garden, orchard with historic Devon cider apple trees, medieval weir on the River Bovey, woodland and riverside walks.
- Bellever Tor has splendid views in all directions and is an easy climb only about a kilometre from two car parks.
- Glen Lyn Gorge is situated in Lynmouth, is part of Exmoor National Park within a designated sight of special scientific interest. It is the site of the “Power of Water Exhibition” a visitor attraction where people can learn about renewable energy in a stunning natural setting. Learn about the devasting floods that ravaged the town in 1952
- Overbeck’s Coastal garden surrounding elegant Edwardian house with diverse collections of scientist and inventor, Otto Overbeck. Spectacular views over sea and estuary.
- Ilfracombe harbour is the largest on the North Devon coast. The harbour has been critical to this are for several centuries. Ilfracombe harbour is an ideal location from which to explore North Devon, in particular areas like Lundy Island, and other harbours along the North Cornwall and Bristol Channel coasts.
- Clovelly has a single steep cobbled street that runs down past 16th Century fisherman’s cottages to the harbour. The road is half a mile (0.8km) long but drops some 400ft (122m). Once at the bottom Clovelly harbour is a 13th Century stone quay. Clovelly has not been spoilt by the holiday trade over the years as it is owned by the Clovelly Estate and so you will not find holiday homes but arts and crafts. The car park and visitor centre is at the top of the village and does offer some transport down via back lanes, but the beauty at Clovelly is the walk down to the harbour.
- Berry Head, designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, is an extensive limestone headland. The near-perpendicular cliffs rise 60m and the constant action of the waves has gouged out huge caverns. The plateau is green with plants, some of which are rare: pink thrift, white sea campion, autumn squill, wild rock rose, goldilocks and honewort. The rocks and cliffs abound with jackdaws, pigeons, kestrels, kittiwakes, gulls and guillemots. Fine views are to be had and it is possible on a clear day to see Portland Bill, over thirty-five miles away. Torbay and Brixham Roads have long been sheltered anchorages, surrounded as they are by high hills and cliffs. Fortifications were erected on the headland in 1793 against threatened invasion by French armies and strengthened with limestone in 1803, when gun batteries were added to protect the anchorages. They were dismantled by 1820 and returned to civilian use, but the ramparts remain, overgrown with ivy.
- Watersmeet, varied Exmoor landscape of rocky coastline, heather moorland, wooded valleys and fast-flowing rivers. Dramatic stretch of the South West Coast Path with one of Britain’s deepest river gorges.
