WELCOME TO THE EAST DEVON AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY (AONB)

The East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty landscape is characterised by intimate wooded combes, vast areas of heathland, river valleys and breathtaking cliffs or hilltops. It includes the East Devon section of the Jurassic Coast- England's first natural World Heritage Site.

The 49 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty across the UK are part of the same family of protected landscapes that includes National Parks - 2009 represents the 60th anniversary of powers (1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act) used to protect Britain's finest countryside...or you could say our diamonds in the landscape!

This is a living, working landscape, shaped by many centuries of farming activity... ...help continue this tradition...visit one of our regular Farmers Markets throughout 2009 and buy local...go on 'eat the view'!

What's going on now....

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER INFORMATION NOW ONLINE: See all the new information available on the District Council webpages which we have helped develop in conjunction with the Blackdown Hills AONB and other land management organisations.

'LOOKING OUT FOR BATS': Check out what has been achieved in the first season of this exciting 3 year landscape-scale initiative in our 'Echos' newsletter

'MAKING IT LOCAL' UPDATE: Want to be more involved in helping deliver £2.4million into our rural economy and communities over the next 5 years? Yes - then see details of updates here

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION BOOST: The District Council's Countryside Service has just announced a significant boost allowing schools and community groups to access a new Natural Environment Awareness grant...

NATIONAL AWARD-LOCAL WINNER: Congratulations to Ian & Lyndsay Shears (Highfield Farm) who won overall winner of the Bayer/FACE 'Farm to Classroom' award last month! Their 'Seed to Loaf' roadshow was supported by our Sustainable Development Fund in the Year of Food and Farming. Well done...and another 14 local schools will be benefiting again this year- contact Ian above if you want the 'Seed to loaf' roadshow come to your school.

WINTER EVENTS: Check out the wide range of guided walks, talks and work parties on offer from our across our area. The District Council's Countryside Service has a series of January work parties to get you out and active before your New Year resolutions wear off!!

 

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Ladram rocks walkers on hill © Ian Dagleish  
  

Check out our interactive maps for great OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES , enjoy our EVENTS or pick an ATTRACTION of your choice.

JANUARY's WALK of the MONTH: Head for BRANSCOMBE - 2 years since the grounding of the MSC Napoli and where the anchor is now on display at Branscombe Mouth!

Undercliffs National Nature Reserve - selected as best place in the world to lace up those hiking boots! Article by Christopher Somerville (Telegraph)

Try out one of many local recreation groups in our recreation and walks section...many welcome new members and its a great way for visitors to discover our fabulous landscape with local experts.

 
Sidbury Village - © June Woodger  
  

The rural way of life and market towns of East Devon make this a vibrant community in which to live.

BRINGING THE PAST TO LIFE- PARISHSCAPES is our 3 year lottery-funded community project that can help you learn about our past and present landscape.

BE INSPIRED BY OUR LANDSCAPE AND COAST: Work with the World Heritage Site arts co-ordinator
Footpath post marker - © East Devon AONB Team  
  

Find out about our latest press releases, AONB projects, education and resources.

Our SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FUND is a grant scheme available within the East Devon AONB. APPLY NOW

WOODFUEL ADVICE LINE 08450 740674 (local call rates apply) or see the simple guide to woodfuel or see the short educational film 'Woodfuel - Energy that grows on trees'.

 

 

 
Tractor with Plough - near Bonehayne - © Ian Dalgleish, Countryside Agency  
  

 

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT: Land management guidelines are now available for anyone involved in making decisions about the landscape.

LOOKING OUT FOR BATS is our 3 year landscape-scale bat conservation initiative.

Got a small wood? Contact us if you are interested in joining other owners to explore opportunities to improve your woods- we are a self-help group looking to learn new skills and access grants.

Many individuals and organisations work to conserve and enhance this finest landscape through the East Devon AONB Partnership.
East Devon Publications
  

A range of publications are available from this site.

Our Annual Review for 2007/08 showcases our work across our protected landscape.

GRAZING ANIMALS REPORT (5mb): An assesment of current issues facing graziers. Prepared by Devon Wildlife Trust using East Devon and Blackdown Hills SDF.

Devon FWAG release findings of farmers survey looking at barriers to uptake of stewardship in the East Devon AONB. (Full report)