Enjoy the Great Outdoors in South Devon

Rolling hills, magnificent Tors and wide expanses of openness, exploring the amazing countryside on offer in South Devon is a great way to spend a day or two while visiting the region. To help you decide where to start your outdoor adventure we’ve highlighted a few great options below.

River Dart Adventures, Ashburton

Set in 90 acres of parkland adjacent to River Dart on the edge of Dartmoor you’ll find extensive playgrounds for children big & small and Instructor lead activities including high ropes and water zorbs.

Becky Falls Woodland Park

Set within a spectacular ancient valley, the Falls have been attracting visitors for over 100 years and offer a fantastic, value-packed day out for all age groups. Enjoy woodland walks, hands-on animal shows and children’s letterboxing.

Canoe Adventures

Canoe Adventures offer guided canoeing for all ages from toddlers to grandparents, to singles and parties and everyone between. Trips of 4 to 5 hours operate from Tuckenhay and Stoke Gabriel on either side of the beautiful tidal River Dart with some 8 or 9 miles of estuary to explore.

Haldon Forest Park, Kennford, near Exeter

Whether you want to explore the forest on foot, bike, or swinging through the canopy, you'll find something for you just around the next tree. The perfect place for walking, cycling, play and much more.

Dartmoor Safaris

Expertly guided, you will experience the rugged scenic beauty of Dartmoor and its magnificent granite tors. It will provide you with a real sense of why so many people love visiting this part of South Devon. Tours run from 9-5 and include a stop in one of the lovely Dartmoor towns for lunch.

Lukesland Gardens

Wonderful family-run woodland garden with 24 acres of flowering shrubs, wild flowers and rare trees in Dartmoor National Park. Beautiful set in a small valley around Addicombe Brook with lakes, numerous waterfalls and pools.

South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is loved for its rugged cliffs, sandy coves, peaceful countryside, pretty villages, rolling hills, secretive estuaries and dark night skies. The area is popular with locals and visitors alike, and offers both quiet inspiration and a wide range of recreation opportunities. The best way to explore it is by journeying along the South West Coast Path or one of the many public footpaths which criss-cross the area.

Decoy Country Park

Situated on the edge of Newton Abbot the park provides an opportunity to enjoy exciting wildlife and beautiful countryside. Decoy was once a clay quarry but now supports a wealth of wildlife. The Country Park provides opportunities for quiet countryside recreation such as walking, wildlife watching, duck feeding and picnics with wheelchair and pushchair access.

Stover Country Park

A 4 hectare lake, supporting a wealth of water birds, dragonflies and damselflies, is surrounded by areas of woodland, grassland and lowland heath. You’ll also find the Ted Hughes Poetry Trail which was created at Stover Country Park to celebrate his poetry and long-standing links with Devon.

The Exe Estuary Trail

A 26 mile, mainly flat cycle and walkway which links Exmouth, Exeter and Dawlish, with fantastic views along the River Exe.

Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve

Dawlish Warren provides access to a long beach, sand dunes and 500 acre National Nature Reserve. In addition to the beaches and mudflats, the Warren has freshwater pools, herb-rich grasslands, woodland and reedbeds.

Looking for some other outdoors ideas? Check out a whole range here.

Or for some great ideas on free things to do in South Devon check out our list of 50 great free things to do.