Natural Heritage
South Devon is a network of distinctive landscapes - glorious countryside, patchwork fields, rugged cliffs, bushy hedgerows and spectacular woodland. Wildlife thrives in this natural landscape and you can't fail to be impressed with its diversity.
Wrapped around the east and south of Dartmoor is an inland area of hilly agricultural land home to most of the local population in a dozen or so towns, villages and hamlets. Although the influence of the moor and coast are ever present in South Devon this inland area claims a character entirely its own. Serenity and calm pervades its 
lacework of green lanes, bridleways and footpaths, its scattered farms and deep quiet valleys offer a landscape in which you can literally and figuratively lose yourself. The ancient green lanes with public access offer a wonderful way to discover the landscape. South Devon has more than 190 individual green lanes covering 180 miles. The old market towns that flavour the moorland edge or the estuary heads could be a million miles from these secluded coombes. Make time to travel slowly through this enraptured land tucked between moor and sea. There's a whole new world to discover, for more information about some of the areas delightful villages see the vital villages section.
From Brixham in the east to Plymouth in the west you can walk 67 miles of the South West Coast Path, the best way to really appreciate the magnificent beauty of the coast. Or you can sample short stretches with circular walks, and explore places like Hallsands, Start Point and Prawle Point, investigate the smuggling trade, shipwrecks, fishing villages strung along the coast; or you could just sit and dream on any one of the fabulous beaches.
Today our interest in the coast has expanded from beaches and swimming to include all aspects of this special environment. The entire South Devon coast enjoys environmental protection as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Heritage Coast, and over half is owned and protected by the National Trust, there're also wildlife reserves of national and international importance such as Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve and other great wildlife sites- link to Berry Head & Andrew's Wood to visit. With such a fantastic environment there are so many attractions walking, wildlife, watersports, history, geology, archaeology that you will need to come back time and time again!
