7 excellent reasons to explore the South Devon AONB

From incredible beaches and stunning estuaries to enchanting towns and villages, South Devon is a truly magical part of the UK. Stretching from Brixham to the outskirts of Plymouth, the AONB region covers 60 miles of coastline and countryside. In this article we are going to give you 7 reasons why a trip here is not to be missed.

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a region of countryside that is exceptionally beautiful and receives protection from local authorities and local communities in order to conserve the area and make it easily enjoyable for visitors. The South Devon AONB is one of Britain’s best regions for holiday makers, offering unspoilt scenery and plenty of opportunity for enjoying the outdoors. Here are your reasons to visit…

1. Discover the stunning beaches

The AONB coast runs from Torbay to the edge of Plymouth and boasts a fantastic range of beaches to appeal to different tastes. You can find everything from wide expanses of sand that are great for long beach strolls to sheltered coves perfect for leisurely lounging and more remote spots for visitors who are seeking sandy seclusion. Action seekers who are keen to try out watersports also have a fun selection to choose from.

2. Explore the exceptional estuaries

The South Devon AONB incorporates a number of estuaries that offer very pleasant places for exploring and perhaps catching sight of the wildlife that live within them. The Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary for instance is home to seahorses and a variety of birds such as cormorants, mute swans, grey herons and little egrets to name a few, while visitors to the Dart Estuary may see otters, grey seals and dolphins amongst its wildlife population.

3. Check out the delightful villages and towns

The AONB encompasses several really good towns and villages for visitors to explore in addition to the natural landscapes. Foodies will appreciate the farmers’ markets in Kingsbridge and Dartmouth, while Salcombe is a popular spot for sailing and yachting. The village of Wembury has an informative marine centre that organizes summer rock pool explorations and basking sharks can sometimes be spotted offshore near the island known as the Mewstone.

4. Get your walking boots on

Walkers have no shortage of intriguing trails to enjoy during a visit to the region. Walking routes range from short and easy walks to longer and strenuous trails so all fitness levels are catered for. In addition, there are many different natural and historical sights to see along the way depending on the chosen route.

5. Encounter the local wildlife at the nature reserves

There are a choice of beautiful nature reserves to visit in the area such as Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve which is home to badgers, bats, dormice, Cetti's warbler and otters. Another option that will intrigue nature lovers is the Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary which is a local nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

6. Check out the variety of local events

The area hosts plenty of interesting events throughout the year, ranging from food and literature festivals to guided canoe trips, bat walks and bird identification courses so you are sure to find something to suit your personal tastes.

7. Cycle round the sights

Cycling is an exciting way to discover this lovely region from a different perspective and a selection of different routes with different levels of difficulty ensures that everyone can enjoy this fun activity. The likes of the East Portlemouth and East Prawle Cultural Trail is a hard route that suits experienced cyclists but the South Devon AONB has a number of green lanes that provide very attractive cycling routes to suit everyone.

Superb natural surroundings that are guaranteed to impress

The South Devon AONB offers a variety of stunning and diverse landscapes and plenty of ways to experience and enjoy them. From exploring the wonderful beaches and nature reserves to participating in entertaining local events and visiting the towns and villages of the region, this AONB is sure to appeal to anyone who has a love of the outdoors.