Devon is packed full of history as well as natural wonders. It boasts some of the UK's very best coastline views, beaches, forests, rolling hills and countryside walks, and picture-perfect villages begging to be explored.
Get some fresh air and exercise while rambling along coastal paths or take a stroll through beautiful countryside. Don't forget to take your camera – and keep an eye open for wildlife such as buzzards, otters, kingfishers, dolphins, seals and basking sharks.
So whether you're here on holiday or just enjoying a day out with the family, put your best foot forward and head out for an invigorating stroll. Devon has lots to see, whatever the weather. You can discover more about what makes Devon special here.
Read more: 27 Devon pubs which are home to some of the county's greatest beer gardens
Here's our expert guide to some of the best walks, treks and hikes to take in Torbay, Exeter, North Devon and Plymouth.
THE ENGLISH RIVIERA AND SOUTH DEVON
1) The Agatha Christie Mile
The world's best-selling crime writer Agatha Christie was born in Torquay and this fascinating heritage walk is a must for all her fans. Pick up the free trail leaflet at the English Riviera Visitor Information Centre, at 5 Vaughan Parade, Torquay, and use your sleuthing skills to find the seven unique plaques on display. You'll see some of the places that were inspirational in her life and works.
Complete the trail with afternoon tea at the Grand Hotel, the site of Agatha’s honeymoon with Archie, next to Torquay Railway Station.
2) Greenway garden ramble
Described as "the loveliest place in the world", Greenway in Brixham was the beloved holiday home of Agatha Christie and her family. This one-mile circular walk leads you through some of the more secluded areas of the garden, including the North Walled Garden and the Bird Pond.
It's a good route for a relatively sheltered walk, taking in woodland, winter flowering plants and views of the River Dart all the way down to Dartmouth. Greenway has been accredited as a Garden of Excellence by the International Camellia Society – the first National Trust garden with this honour, and one of just a handful in the UK to be recognised.
3) Galmpton to Greenway walk via Hook Bottom Lane
Explore quiet country lanes and woodland through Lower Greenway Farm to Greenway House and Gardens. This walk can be combined with the Mill Lane walk as well as the Coombe Lane walk to create various circular routes back to Galmpton. It is a permissive bridleway and free to be used by horse riders, cyclists and walkers as far as Greenway car park.
4) Take the military road to Froward Point
Avoid the muddy paths and enjoy coastal and country views by following the military road from Brownstone car park to the World War Two gun battery at Froward Point. Once you're there, it's worth taking some time to explore the gun emplacements, and really soaking up those views over the sea and coastline. The last stretch is steep and more strenuous on the way back so turn around before you reach Froward Point if you want to take things a bit easier.
5) Beacon Cove to Meadfoot Beach
This lovely scenic walk begins at Millennium Bridge at Torquay Harbour, passing the now-closed Living Coasts attraction and through Beacon Cove, once known as the Ladies Bathing Cove and a favourite swimming spot of Agatha Christie. There are stunning views as you follow the coastal path, passing the Imperial Hotel on the cliffside with Peaked Tor Cove behind.
At the top of the steps you can see an old wartime Mine Watcher's post where mines used to be detonated and there is also an old pill box which now hosts a local colony of horseshoe bats. As you ascend the path you'll have a breathtaking view of London Bridge Arch, a limestone natural sea arch. Through the woodland area you'll find Daddyhole Plain – one of only three limestone plateaux on the English Riviera.
Look out for a number of rare plants along the way, including white rock rose and ivy broomrape, a reddish purple plant with cream flowers. Continue past the Headland Hotel, originally built as a private home for the Russian Romanoff family and featured in the 1990 film adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Witches, to Meadfoot Beach.
6) Circular walk from Little Dartmouth
This beautiful four-mile circular coastal walk offers far-reaching views across the sea and towards Dartmouth, as well as a great chance to spot birds, grasshoppers, crickets and butterflies. A small detour will take you down to the secluded Compass Cove or to the 600-year-old Dartmouth Castle – one of the most beautifully located fortresses in England. For many, the highlight of the walk is the ruins of Gallants Bower, an old Civil War fort with stunning 360-degree views.
7) Wembury Beach to Heybrook Bay
This moderate walk up from the bay, passing fields and the former HMS Cambridge site, loops back around from Heybrook Bay to take in the views of the Mewstone. There's lots of wildlife to enjoy along this stretch of coast as well as a chance to discover more about Wembury Point's fascinating past.
From the end of World War Two until 2001, it was used by the Ministry of Defence as a naval gunnery school. Hundreds of buildings were found on the site and access was restricted to the public until the National Trust acquired the area in 2006 and began restoring it to its original state.
8) Coastal circular walk from Woodhuish
A stroll down Woodhuish Lane to Man Sands beach takes in a wetland area – known as a real haven for rare birds. For a circular route, follow the South West Coast Path to Scabbacombe Sands beach and finish off back at Woodhuish, a Victorian working farm complete with restored cider press.
9) Anstey's Cove Circular
This walk in Torquay has striking cliffside views along the way. It starts at the award-winning Kents Cavern with a woodland path alongside the very popular Ilsham Valley Green. Arriving at Meadfoot Beach, take in the gorgeous views across the bay and Thatcher Rock, an island inhabited only by guillemots.
Follow the winding coast path up to Thatcher Point and Hope's Nose, an area of protruding coastline with limestone rocks and fossils and a curving bay that can only be accessed on foot. Continue along the route to join the Bishop's Walk through woodlands heading towards Anstey's Cove.
10) Bolt Head walk
Discover the dramatic coast around Salcombe by walking from East Soar and travelling around the jagged rocks at Bolt Head. Keeping to the coastline, you then drop into the valley and the spot the dazzlingly blue waters of Starehole Bottom.
Continue along this stretch of the South West Coast Path to see fantastic views of the Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary, which is home to species of crab, shellfish, otters and even dolphins, seals and basking sharks.
11) Torre Abbey Sands to Cockington
With the sea on your left, follow the Torquay coast road towards Paignton. Go past the Grand Hotel and Livermead House Hotel and turn right onto Cockington Lane. Beyond the roundabout is a gate into the water meadows, an enchanting one-mile woodland walk which leads to the picturesque village of Cockington.
Continue on to the award-winning 450-acre Cockington Court Country Park and enjoy the pretty ornamental gardens and lakes. A five-mile woodland trek takes you through Scadson Woods towards Occombe Farm, which is open daily throughout the year and has a nature trail, children's activities and a farm shop.
12) Brixham Harbour to Berry Head
This walk begins at the picturesque harbourside in Brixham and takes you to the marina and Breakwater Beach. It's then just a 10-minute walk to the charming outdoor Shoalstone Pool, a popular bathing spot since Victorian times.
The coast path is next to Shoalstone Pool and the road past the Berry Head Hotel will lead you uphill to the spectacular Berry Head Nature Reserve. This is the area's most important wildlife site and a UNESCO Global Geopark, offering dramatic panoramic views across the English Riviera and beyond.
Most of the route is level with good footpaths along the way leading to a Napoleonic Fort, a visitors' centre and the Guardhouse Cafe.
13) The John Musgrave Heritage Trail
This 35-mile walk was created by the Rambler's Association and named in memory of a former chairman and walk leader. It's split into four sections taking in coast, creeks, castles and countryside and can be walked over a series of days or, if you're feeling energetic, completed in one go.
The four sections are Maidencombe to Cockington (11 miles), Cockington to Totnes (9.5 miles), Totnes to Dittisham (9 miles) and Greenway to Brixham (5.5 miles) with some parts joining the South West Coast Path.
There are many historical places to see along the way, including Maidencombe Manor, first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 with its origins in the Saxon settlement of Devon from the eighth century onwards, and Churston Manor, a spectacular 17th-century manor house set in two acres of stunning countryside.
The trail ends in the quaint fishing town of Brixham by the replica of Francis Drake's Golden Hind and a statue of William of Orange who landed there in 1688.
14) Broadsands to Churston Circular
This charming walk starts at Broadsands Beach, Paignton, and offers the sight of Dartmouth Steam Railway trains passing over Isambard Kingdom Brunel's railway viaduct on the way. Follow the coast path as it continues around to Churston Point towards the sheltered shingle beach at Elberry Cove. You'll be able to spot the remains of Lord Churston's seawater bath house at the far end of the beach, another favourite bathing place of Agatha Christie.
Carry on through Elberry, Marridge Woods and Grove Woods, with ruined limekilns and some forestry tracks, and go down to beautiful Churston Cove and to the village of Churston Ferrers. The return walk crosses the links at Churston Golf Club, which runs east to west from Churston towards Brixham, as you head back down to Broadsands Beach to complete your circular walk.
15) Paignton Harbour to Goodrington Sands
This walk follows the quaint fishing harbour in Paignton, past the fish merchants and down onto Fairy Cove, a secluded crescent-shaped beach with red sand and shingle. Take the steps up from the middle of the beach and head towards the delightful gardens at Roundham, which offer breathtaking views across Lyme Bay to Portland, Dorset.
Further ahead look out for the Spitfire Garden, a memorial display with a flower bed in the shape of the famous fighter plane. There are several winding slopes and steps that take you down towards Goodrington Sands. The promenade, lined with colourful beach huts, stretches along the coastline, with a path at the south end leading to Saltern Cove and Broadsands.
16) Brunel Woods, Torquay
This walk is steeped in local history and offers stunning woodland landscapes and views. Brunel Woods at Watcombe was acquired by Isambard Kingdom Brunel who planned to retire there and had commissioned the design of a garden and a house, the latter of which was never built.
The garden became woodland, with many of the species and features of Brunel's time still existing today. The site boasts a network of paths and some impressive views – look out for the 58ft commemorative totem sculpture in the woods known as Brunel's Dance.
17) The South West Coast Path
If you fancy something more challenging, walk the 22 miles around the Bay, following the South West Coast Path and passing through Babbacombe, Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.
The path, originally created by coastguards looking out for smugglers, is now a popular destination for visitors who enjoy exploring the outdoors, taking in the fresh Westcountry air and meeting other keen ramblers and walkers along the route. It's the UK's longest marked footpath and covers 630 miles of the Westcountry's glorious coastline.
The route is broken into 17 suggested walks, ranging from short strolls to long distance, and you’ll see the iconic acorn image and coloured arrows displayed to indicate a stretch of land or path to guide you along.
EXETER
18) The Exeter Green Circle
The Green Circle is made up of the five shorter sections with convenient public transport links, which means they can easily be done individually if you don't feel like walking the entire 12 miles. The circle consists of the Alphin Brook Walk, Hoopern Valley Walk, Ludwell Valley Walk, Mincinglake Walk, and Redhills Walk.
The walk offers something for everyone, from city pavements to country footpaths and from historic buildings to green nature reserves. Simply pick the section that most appeals.
19) Take the Avocet Line
Named after the bird that overwinters on the famous Exe Estuary, the Avocet Line is a busy railway connecting Exeter Central and Exmouth stations. It travels 11 miles on the eastern side of the estuary, offering wonderful opportunities for an amble around this picturesque area.
Why not break your journey at Topsham to explore the ancient port, with its interesting history and Dutch-style architecture. Exmouth is a popular resort with a long sandy beach, ideal for a stroll along its promenade.
20) Exeter Woollen Trail
The Exeter Woollen Trail explores the key sites of Exeter's most important historical industry – the woollen cloth trade. Follow the eight information panels at strategic points and visit some of the most interesting and beautiful of Exeter's buildings. There are quizzes and puzzles for children to do, so bring paper and pencils.
21) Exeter Medieval Trail
The Middle Ages were a period of rapid growth for Exeter as it became the religious, commercial, and administrative centre for the region. On the Exeter Medieval Trail, guide yourself to eight information panels. At each site find out about the buildings of medieval Exeter and key events that affected the people during this time.
The tour starts in Castle Street and takes in Exeter Cathedral, Wynard's Almshouses and the Carfax public water system. There are quizzes and puzzles for children to do, so bring paper and pencils.
22) Exeter City Wall Trail
Discover the exciting history of Exeter's City Wall. The oldest parts are almost 2,000 years old and it has been the site of many important historical events. Around 70 percent still exists. Follow the trail to discover colourful information panels at strategic points. There are quizzes and puzzles for children to do, so bring paper and pencils.
23) Exeter University Sculpture Walk
Take the self-guided Exeter University Sculpture Walk through the university's beautiful Streatham Campus grounds. Open between 9am and 5pm on weekdays, you can simply download the map to bring with you and see some wonderful sculptures by artists including Dame Barbara Hepworth, Paul Mount and Peter Randall-Page.
The walk will also take you inside some of the university buildings, where you can see sculptures by Michael Ayrton, Peter Thursby and more, as well as mosaics by Elaine M Goodwin.
24) Killerton garden winter walk
The 18th-century Killerton House is set in 6,400 acres of working farmland, woods, parkland, cottages and orchards. Feel free to explore the grassy paths which take you up to the garden's lofty heights and into hidden areas between the gravel paths. Take a stroll around the chapel and house gardens, see the colourful barks and admire the flowers.
25) Castle Drogo Teign Gorge classic circuit
From the imposing bulk of Castle Drogo – the last castle to be built in England – and following the breath-taking Hunters Path high above the River Teign, this is perhaps the most famous walk on Dartmoor.
The path then descends and crosses the river at Fingle Bridge and returns along the river surrounded by oak woodland. Look out for Sharp Tor, which juts out from Hunters Path. It's a truly lovely place to stop and enjoy the view.
26) Killerton Danes Wood walk
This enchanting stroll is ideal for wildlife lovers. Logs and leaf mould provide the perfect habitat for insects and small mammals, allowing bird life to flourish here too. Stop and listen to the songbirds, and keep an eye out for buzzards wheeling overhead.
27) A La Ronde Parminter walk
This quirky 16-sided house in Exmouth was built for two spinster cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter, on their return from a grand tour of Europe in the late 18th century. It contains many objects and mementos of their travels.
Follow in the steps of the cousins and enjoy a stroll around the meadow rich in flora, fauna and wildlife. Delight in wildflowers, butterflies and birdsong, then take in the excellent views from the top of the walk over the Exe Estuary.
28) Walk around Parke
The compact Parke estate in Bovey Tracey was once the home of a wealthy local family and probably enabled them to be self-sufficient for all their day-to-day needs with a vegetable garden, fruit garden and orchard, ice house, fish pond, grazing meadows for livestock and beehives for honey, and gardens to wander in for spiritual refreshment.
So, take a short stroll around the garden, or a longer, more strenuous walk through the woodlands and along the river to the medieval weir. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for a myriad of wildlife and a host of wild flowers.
PLYMOUTH
29) City Centre Wildlife Trail
The City Centre Wildlife Trail is one of the easiest ways to walk round Plymouth and discover nature right on your doorstep. The two-mile trail is perfect for small families and will take you around the city centre and up to the waterfront on a gentle, flat path. Make your way to Plymouth Hoe on a leisurely circular route.
You may have even taken this trail before without even realising it. But how often have you walked up Royal Parade and not noticed the beautiful lime trees? Or driven by the Waterfront and not spotted the wildflower meadows by the Royal Citadel? The path officially begins at the Sundial and circles around Royal Parade, down to the Barbican and up to the Waterfront but, as with all the trails listed here, you can join it at any point.
30) Saltram House
Saltram House is one of Plymouth's most beautiful estates and, with its gentle paths, rolling countryside and grand views, it's a fascinating spot for a ramble. The path features a mix of woodland and Tarmac paths and is a favourite with dog walkers, families and casual walkers alike.
The circular route around the estate is a distance of two miles with plenty of Instagrammable sights along the way. The views of the estuary and paths through the ancient woodland provide a real haven to walk in. Keep your eyes peeled for the beautiful folly on the banks of the estuary known as the Amphitheatre and Saltram's many bats. Begin at the estate’s car park for an easy walk around the perimeter.
31) Waterfront Walkway
The Plymouth Waterfront Walkway is packed with quirky art installations and fun features. It's all part of the South West Coast Path – a 630-mile route from Minehead to Poole. The acorn signs around Plymouth mark the trail if you lose your way.
Starting at Admiral's Hard at the Cremyll Ferry Terminal, you'll find the famous knitted breakfast at Elvira's Cafe. Heading down to Royal William Yard there are beautiful views across Firestone Bay. Up Durnford Street you’ll find the immortal words of Sherlock Holmes engraved on the floor – Arthur Conan Doyle worked in a medical practice here in the 1880s.
The entire walkway leads over Laira Bridge to Cattewater, Oreston, Hooe Lake, Mount Batten and finally beautiful Jennycliff. We won’t spoil the surprises but there's much more to see along the trail – model ships, the patron saint of mariners and even the "Plymouth prawn".
32) The Co-operative Way
The Co-operative Way is a huge circular route of 15 miles which takes in the majority of the city’s gorgeous, green spaces. This may seem a little intimidating but it's really more of a network of smaller paths joined together. If you’re a more experienced walker you could try the whole route or perhaps just pick a section and walk from point to point.
Heading clockwise from its northernmost marker, the entire route goes from Crownhill Fort to Forder Valley Nature Reserve, Mutley Park, Central Park, Ham Wood, Woodland Wood and back to Crownhill again. A particularly beautiful stretch of the path will take you through Woodland Wood Nature Reserve at Whitleigh. Access the path via the footpath on the junction of Tamerton Foliot Road and Budshead Road.
The well-maintained path winds gently down into Whitleigh Wood, a huge area of woodland (29 full-sized football pitches' worth) filled with wildlife. It’s quite flat but you'll probably want wellies in wetter weather. Like most of Plymouth's wooded areas, you'll feel like you're in the middle of the countryside when you reach the woods.
The Stepping Stones To Nature project has installed wheelchair and buggy-friendly paths so everyone can enjoy this vast wood. On the other side, the path opens back out again near the scheduled ancient monument of Woodland Fort on Crownhill Road.
33) Devonport Heritage Trail
Devonport was once the largest and richest of the Three Towns which came together to create the city of Plymouth in 1914. In fact, there was a time when naming the entire city Devonport and not Plymouth seemed plausible. A lot of heritage echoes in its street and buildings and a remarkable amount of pre-war architecture survives.
The Devonport Heritage Trail takes in all of Devonport's best features in just over four miles of pathways. You'll find four separate areas of the trail marked by panels at Mount Wise, Cumberland Gardens, North Corner and Devonport Park and the trail is complemented with commissioned artwork along the way by stone carver Michael Disley, Torbay artist David Harbott, and metalworkers Thrussell and Thrussell.
The whole trail begins at Elvira's Cafe by the Cremyll Ferry and runs on pavements and parkways to the Victorian-esque Devonport Park, past Brickfields and along the waterfront at Mount Wise before heading through South and North Devonport and back to Elvira's for a well-deserved cuppa.
34) Plym Valley Trail
There are so many green spaces in Plymouth to enjoy. One of the most picturesque is the Plym Valley Trail. Plymbridge Woods is a giant swathe of lush woodland to the east of the city, perfect for cycling and walking.
From the Coypool Park and Ride you'll head up to Plym Bridge via the Route 27 cycle path. Watch out for cyclists as this is a shared path. Wandering through the woods at your own pace you can see traces of mines and railways, long since abandoned, that nature has reclaimed.
Roughly a mile from Plymbridge car park lies Cann Viaduct. This impressive structure was once part of the South Devon railway line and now serves as a landmark and home to a peregrine-watching station. If you’re very lucky you may catch a glimpse of these protected birds.
35) Laira Heritage Trail
The Laira Heritage Trail is another short but sweet route along the banks of the estuary. Starting on the eastern side of Laira Bridge the path finishes about a kilometre north of the entrance to Blagdon's Meadow. Twelve bronze plaques line the path and are ideal for children who can have some fun taking rubbings of the illustrations.
You couldn't ask for a better view of the estuary from here – a landscape of natural beauty and diverse wildlife. Birds love to wade in the shallows and the pathway is a prime spot to watch them from.
36) Central Park
Anyone living in Stoke, Peverell or Mutley will find themselves practically next door to Plymouth's largest park, Central Park. For the rest of us, a short walk or a hop on a bus is all you'll need to get you there. With its vantage-point view and big rolling fields, it's the perfect place to stroll and relax. Developed in 1928 to improve city residents' health, it's been doing just that for nearly a century.
For an added element of fun with any of these walks there's always a techie treasure hunt. Geocaching is a very popular game being played across the world and all you need to get involved is the phone app and a sense of adventure. Follow the GPS on your phone to locate a cache – usually a small box with a register to record your name and some small toys for children to enjoy. There are dozens hidden throughout Plymouth and finding them is a great way to get walking and share some quality time with family, too.
37) Dartmoor National Park
Everyone can enjoy this beautiful and spectacular area which surrounds the city on two sides. Dartmoor National Park was one of the first National Parks established in 1951, and is easily accessible from Plymouth.
Self-guided short walks direct from the National Park Visitor Centres at Haytor, Postbridge and Princetown provide a good introduction to the area and can easily be done in an hour. Or why not join an organised walk led by an experienced guide? You won't need to worry about map reading and guided walks are a great way to discover more about Dartmoor's beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.
38) South West Coast Path
The South West Coast Path is Britain’s longest National Trail, running 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset to South Haven Point near Poole in Dorset. Some of the best bits are near Plymouth so you really have no excuse.
The heritage, wildlife, geology and scenery along the way are truly inspirational and every day walking it brings stunning new experiences. Simply come to the beach anywhere in the South West, turn left or right and you’ll be on the South West Coast Path and ready for an amazing time.
NORTH DEVON
39) Kipling Tors walk
Follow in the footsteps of Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling and enjoy a walk around the Tors with some spectacular views over Westward Ho! and across Bideford Bay. Kipling went to the United Services College at Westward Ho! from 1878 to 1882, which was the inspiration for his novel Stalky & Co. Kipling Tors is where he and his two closest friends used to smoke cigars and pipes and read books together. This route is next to the sea, with stunning views across Bideford Bay and inland to Exmoor, seabirds on the cliffs and buzzards overhead.
40) Putsborough to Woolacombe
This is an easy level walk between the beaches of Putsborough and Woolacombe. Start from either end and follow the path overlooking the beach, taking in the views out to Lundy Island and Morte Point. Then on the way back take the same route or walk over the beach instead.
41) Morte Point
Enjoy an inspiring walk through an area of rare coastal heathland, where the wealth of wildflowers beneath the gorse and heather provides the perfect feeding and breeding ground for many moths and butterflies. Nature lovers will also want to keep an eye out for terns, kittiwakes, seals and even dolphins.
The deadly "devil's teeth" rocks along the spine of Morte Point continue underwater and have been responsible for many shipwrecks over the centuries.
42) Baggy Point
Take a short easy walk out to the tip of Baggy Point and back again, enjoying spectacular views of the coastline towards Bideford Bay and Hartland. Look out for the remains of a large whale washed up on Croyde Beach in 1915 and the old coastguard wreck post, as well as merlins, peregrines, and hen harriers.
43) Braunton Burrows
Starting at Velator, this walk passes through Braunton Burrows, one of the UK's largest sand dune systems with a unique diversity of species. As well as being a National Nature Reserve, the Burrows are at the core of the UNESCO-designated North Devon Biosphere Reserve, which celebrates man and nature working together in harmony in a peaceful pastoral landscape.
Heading inland around Braunton Marshes, a large area of wet pastureland reclaimed from the sea in the 19th century, the walk also passes the Braunton Great Field, one of only three medieval strip-farming fields remaining in England.
44) Hillsborough's Sleeping Elephant
This short but demanding walk around Ilfracombe's Hillsborough nature reserve, known locally as "the Sleeping Elephant," boasts far-reaching views to Lundy Island in one direction and the South Wales coast in the other.
Hillsborough also has a bird's-eye view of Ilfracombe, where Damien Hirst's 25-metre tall stainless steel and bronze statue Verity watches over the harbour, along with 14th-century chapel St Nicholas and the Landmark Theatre (known locally as "Madonna's Bra"). There are Iron Age ramparts around the summit of the hill, and its variety of habitats encourages a range of wildlife, including peregrines and nesting seabirds.
45) Appledore and Northam Burrows
Travel around Northam Burrows, at the mouth of the Taw-Torridge Estuary, where Westward Ho!'s pebble ridge shields a rare wildlife site of grassy coastal plain fronted by salt marsh, open grassland, rocky shore and sand dunes.
Starting in Appledore's "little white fishing village", named by Charles Kingsley who wrote the novel Westward Ho!, the route passes Europe's largest covered shipyard, where nearly 200 vessels have been built, and an ancient battleground where 1,000 Vikings are said to have been slaughtered.
46) Lee Bay and Bull Point lighthouse
Head inland through ancient woodland and coastal farmland to a medieval barton. Passing prehistoric standing stones in the fields high above the coast, the path drops to another small wooded valley and then emerges on a large exposed heath with views across the Bristol Channel, where Bull Point Lighthouse was built to warn ships of the lethal reefs below.
Lee Bay is renowned for the fuchsia hedges around its cottage gardens, and its secluded beach used to be the perfect place for smugglers to land their contraband.
47) Hartland to Spekes Mill Mouth and Waterfall
One of the most popular waterfalls in North Devon, Spekes Mill Mouth is located in a stunningly beautiful area of hanging valleys, eroded so the streams running down from the moorland fall dramatically to the shore in breath-taking coastal waterfalls. See the wildflowers while peregrines and kestrels hunt above grasslands teeming with wildlife.
The walk starts and finishes at Hartland Quay, where the historic hotel houses a fascinating museum. The return route takes in St Nectan's Church in the hamlet of Stoke, sometimes dubbed The Cathedral of North Devon.
48) Watersmeet to Ash Bridge circular walk
An easy circular walk suitable for all the family, this trail meanders along the banks of the East Lyn River from Watersmeet House through beautiful woodlands. Look out for deer and otters, while herons perch on low-hanging branches over the water.
49) Baggy Point circular walk via Bloodhills Cliff
A longer, circular walk along both sides of Baggy Point then over the top of the headland, with breath-taking coastal, sea and farmland views. Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its geological features, this is an excellent route for wild flowers, birdwatching and spotting rock climbers scaling the cliffs.
50) Potters Hill and Woolacombe Down walk
A walk up "mini mountain" Potters Hill and beyond will reward you with stunning views across the bay towards Baggy Point and Morte Point. It's just a stone's throw from the beach, but you'll feel a million miles away from the crowds.
Choose from the shorter hike up to Potters Hill or a longer one from Potters Hill across Woolacombe Down, returning through the dunes to the start.
51) Heddon's Mouth circular walk
This easy walk through ancient woodland takes you alongside the River Heddon to where it meets the sea, between some of England's highest cliffs. Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the Heddon Valley is home to a variety of wildlife, including otters and the rare high brown fritillary butterfly.
Look out for the restored 19th century lime kiln on the beach. The limestone and coal for fuel was brought here by ship from South Wales, hence its position by the shore.
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