Heath
Aylesbeare Common
RSPB-managed lowland heath on the western edge of the lower valley — open tracks across heather and gorse, with summer Dartford warblers and nightjars.
A Living Landscape
Landscape & Stewardship
Why the Otter Valley is special — and the practical work that keeps it that way. Two National Landscapes, red sandstone soils, ancient lowland heath, working orchards, and farms looking after water, wildlife and the long view.
Two National Landscapes
The River Otter links two of Devon's nationally protected landscapes. It rises in the Blackdown Hills, where springs, beechwoods and enclosed lanes shape the upper valley, before flowing south through East Devon's orchards, farms, villages and red-soil country towards the sea at Budleigh Salterton.
National Landscapes were formerly known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). The change of name in 2023 reflects a wider role in nature recovery and climate as well as landscape protection.
Devon Redlands
Much of the Otter Valley sits within Devon's red-soil country. The colour comes from the underlying red sandstone: visible in ploughed fields, river banks, old lanes, cob buildings and the cliffs near the coast. These fertile soils have made this part of Devon a working agricultural landscape for centuries — productive, beautiful, and vulnerable to winter run-off if not carefully managed.
Natural England describes the Devon Redlands as having a strong, unified character, dominated by underlying red sandstone and red soils visible in ploughed fields, cliffs, exposures, traditional stone and cob farmsteads, hamlets and villages.
This is why soil structure, drainage, grass cover, hedges, orchards and careful field access matter here. The red earth is part of the valley's character — but it needs looking after.
Pebblebed Heathland
To the west of the lower Otter lies one of East Devon's great wild landscapes: the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths. Formed from ancient pebblebed geology, these heaths support rare lowland heath, heather, gorse, reptiles, nightjars, Dartford warblers and open views across the valley and coast. They are not just a backdrop to the trail — they are part of the valley's ecological story.
The Pebblebed Heaths are described by their managing body as “240 million years in the making” and are among the largest remaining blocks of lowland heath in Devon, covering around 1,249 hectares.
The heaths are sensitive. Keep dogs under close control, stay to paths where requested, respect seasonal bird-nesting restrictions, and follow local site guidance.
Heath
Venn Ottery Common
A quieter pocket of heath and bog, just above the village of Venn Ottery. Small car park; sensitive ground in wet weather.
Heath / heritage
Woodbury Common & Woodbury Castle
The high plateau of heath west of the lower Otter, crowned by the Iron Age earthworks of Woodbury Castle. Long views to the estuary and the sea.
Heath
Colaton Raleigh Common
Part of the wider Pebblebed Heaths complex above Colaton Raleigh — heath, tracks and conifer fringe, much of it accessible on foot.
Nature reserve
East Devon Pebblebed Heaths NNR
A National Nature Reserve made up of these commons together — one of the most important lowland heath landscapes in southern England.
Farming in Protected Landscapes
Farming in Protected Landscapes — FiPL — supports farmers and land managers who are caring for nationally important countryside. The programme funds practical work for nature, climate, people and place in National Landscapes, National Parks and the Broads.
In East Devon, that means practical work that helps nature recovery, climate resilience, public understanding, and the character of the place itself.
What this means here
In the Otter Valley, FiPL-type work is not abstract policy. It can mean healthier soils, better water management, restored orchards, more resilient farming, improved access, interpretation, school visits, and practical ways for visitors to understand the landscape they are walking through.
FiPL-supported stewardship at Bowhayes
Status: FiPL-supported work awarded and delivered by Bowhayes.
At Bowhayes, Farming in Protected Landscapes support has helped turn practical stewardship into visible improvements on the ground. The work links orchard heritage, Devon Redlands soils, water management, habitat creation, visitor access and education — showing how a working farm, tree nursery and orchard can help care for the Otter Valley landscape.
FiPL supports farmers and land managers in National Landscapes to deliver benefits for nature, climate, people and place. At Bowhayes, that support has helped strengthen the farm's role as a practical demonstration site within the East Devon National Landscape.
What has been achieved
Orchards
Orchard heritage strengthened
FiPL support has helped strengthen Bowhayes' traditional orchard work: keeping cider orchards productive, improving the way fruit is harvested and handled, and supporting the long-term future of East Devon orchard culture.
Delivered · ongoing
Soil
Devon Redlands soil care
On the red soils of the Otter Valley, Bowhayes has invested in practical soil care: reducing compaction, improving infiltration and helping limit winter run-off and sediment movement into the Otter catchment.
Delivered · ongoing
Neighbour benefit
Shared equipment for wider benefit
FiPL support has enabled Bowhayes to make specialist soil-care equipment available beyond the farm, supporting neighbouring growers and farms facing similar challenges with compaction, run-off and soil structure.
Now in use
Water
Water management at the nursery
At Bowhayes Trees, improvements to drainage, surfacing and rainwater capture help manage water more carefully, reduce run-off pressure and support more resilient nursery production.
Delivered
Habitat
Habitat creation
Habitat features at Bowhayes now support pollinators, reptiles, amphibians and the wider orchard-edge mosaic of hedges, grassland, trees and water.
Delivered · ongoing
People
Access and education
Bowhayes has improved its ability to welcome visitors, groups and learners, with interpretation focused on Devon Redlands soils, water, orchard heritage, wildlife and practical farming in a protected landscape.
Delivered · ongoing
Evidence
Monitoring and accountability
Bowhayes' work is designed to be measured through soil, water, wildlife, fuel-use and visitor-learning records, so that progress can be shown rather than merely claimed.
In progress
A note on accuracy
- · Work is labelled Delivered, Now in use, In progress or Proposed — we try not to overstate.
- · We don't claim specific percentages, litre volumes or biodiversity gains unless they are measured and verified.
- · Business details, opening hours and routes can change. Please check before travelling.
- · This is a curated guide, not a continuous waymarked trail. Stewardship and access on private land are at the landowner's discretion.
Last updated: June 2026