A short break to recharge the batteries and connect with nature in a beautiful part of the country
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY: David Chapman
Go wild in ...
The southeast corner of Devon has it all. Buckets of sand on brilliant beaches, oodles of history and seaside heritage, cliffs full of fascinating and funky fossils and a countryside endowed with more than its fair share of wonderful wildlife.
Wildlife enthusiasts might be aware of some of the better-known spots, but here is a quick breakdown. At the west of our chosen region is the famous Exe Estuary, a magnet for birds, particularly good from autumn to early spring. Great places to explore the estuary include Topsham where there is an RSPB reserve and from Exmouth where there is an estuary-side walk and cycleway.
Inland, between Exmouth and Sidmouth, there are a number of good heathland sites. These come in both wet and dry forms so are attractive to dragonflies, butterflies and birds, including the resident Dartford warbler and the enigmatic nightjar. Woodbury and Aylesbeare commons are both great places to explore.
The River Otter is the only river in England where wild beavers occur. It would have been easier to remember if they had chosen the River Beaver (if there is one), but there are also otters on the River Otter and I guess they got there first! One of the best areas to look for beavers is, still more confusingly, around Otterton, but anywhere between Ottery St Mary and Budleigh Salterton is worth a look.
Quite close to Ottery St Mary is a visitor attraction called Wildwood Devon. It’s a great place to take the kids to see captive native wildlife (and more), including the best walk-in enclosure for red squirrels you are ever likely to see. It’s so nice in there the squirrels don’t try to get out, though I have seen them running up people’s legs, potentially in a furtive attempt to escape.
I am going to focus a little closer on three of my favourite, and maybe less well-known, nature spots, all of which I enjoyed exploring on our trip in spring.
THE JOURNEY
In early May, from Cornwall we took the A30 to Honiton, then the A375 to Putts Corner. From there we drove to Beer before returning home after six nights away
THE COSTS
Fuel Average 31mpg.............................................£90 Site fees ............................................................£207.60 Total costs.......................
