Find the nearest Landscapes & Nature in 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.
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- The Tarka Trail is a figure-of-eight route, based on Barnstaple, and covers some 180 miles (290 km) of path through North and Mid Devon, from the Atlantic Coast, the estuaries of the two rivers of Tarka, the Rivers Taw and Torridge through rural Devon Countryside. Passing through the largely unspoilt countryside as it was described by Henry Williamson in his classic novel ‘Tarka the Otter’ first published in 1927. The Tarka Trail is one of the country’s longest continuous traffic-free walking and cycling paths, and forms part of the Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route.
- The Gnome Reserve and Wild Flower garden was founded in 1979 and contains 4 acres split equally between woodland and wild flower garden. The 1000+ Gnomes are distributed about the whole site. Also see how gnomes are made and view some antiques. Facilities include shop, refreshments, toilets, picnic areas. Dogs are welcome on leads.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Brent Tor is on the western edge of Dartmoor, rising to 1100 ft (330m) above sea level. The Church of St Michael strands at the top of the Tor, the parish church of the village of Brentor, which lies below the Tor.
- 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.
- Hartland Point is a 325 ft (99 m) high rocky outcrop of land on the northwestern tip of the Devon coast. The Hartland Peninsula is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the point marks the western limit (on the English side) of the Bristol Channel with the Atlantic Ocean continuing to the west.
- Undisturbed by cars, the island of Lundy has a small village with an inn, Victorian church and the 13th-century Marisco Castle. The Island has a variety of migratory seabirds, heathland and grassland habitats and the Lundy ponies. Designated the first Marine Conservation Area, Lundy offers opportunities for diving and seal watching.
- Overbeck’s Coastal garden surrounding elegant Edwardian house with diverse collections of scientist and inventor, Otto Overbeck. Spectacular views over sea and estuary.
- Castle Drogo is set above the Teign Gorge at a height of nearly 300 metres with spectacuklar views over the Dartmoor National Park. As well as the castle you have formal gardens and paths through the valley and gorge. The castle facilities include cafe, gift shop and plant centre.
- The most southerly point in Devon, a stunning stretch of the South West Coast Path with dramatic cliffs, open farmland and secluded sandy coves. Excellent for spotting migratory birds and rare butterflies. Iron Age promontory fort at Bolt Tail and small sandy coves between Salcombe & Prawle.
