The third largest county in England and Reef & Rainforest’s beloved home turf, Devon is a surprisingly diverse corner of the South West with two stunning coastlines, two dramatic National Parks and a rural heartland with a wide range of wildlife-rich habitats. We welcome the chance to show you our patch.
Along its northern border is the Bristol Channel and a rocky and picturesque coastline that meets with the rugged Exmoor National Park, home to heather moors, red deer and ancient woodlands.
To the south is Dartmoor National Park, the largest area of open space in Southern England, famous for its impressive granite tors, ancient tin mines, sweeping open moorland and verdant pastures. Further south the land is more fertile and drained by many beautiful rivers such as the Dart, Exe, Teign and Otter. The gentle southern coast includes wildlife rich estuaries, impressive rocky headlands, and Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ) now supporting an increasing and surprising variety of sea life.
The Jurassic Coast and English Riviera Global Geopark both offer windows into the varied geological history of the United Kingdom with some of the earliest animal remains in the country found here.
Devon has had a long and varied history of food production, with its cream teas being particularly famous, and today boasts many small, local artisan producers of such comestibles as cheese, wine, cider, lamb and seafood, especially crab.
With such a broad range of habitats, Devon protects a wide diversity of notable fauna and flora and, with its mild climate and network of excellent nature reserves, it is also a stronghold for many local specialities such as the beautiful cirl bunting.
A refuge for important mammal populations of red deer, badger, otter, hazel dormouse, greater and lesser horseshoe bat, grey seal and an increasing population of dolphins and wild Eurasian beavers, Devon has some of Britain’s most iconic animals on its doorstep waiting to be discovered.
ENJOY A PREVIEW: Alongside some of the most scenic countryside in the UK, Devon also provides habitat for perhaps the greatest diversity of bird, invertebrate, fish and plant life in England. For a taster of the wildlife and landscapes that can be seen on our expertly led trips, have a look at Reef & Rainforest’s short film here: Wild Devon Video
