It was a sunny morning at Wembury Beach, anticipation was high and the atmosphere buzzing, as a crowd gathers for the annual first swim of the year. Ranger Lorna Sherriff and myself agreed to do the swim in a warm cosy office a few months ago, but as we stood there on a fresh winter’s day apprehension set in! Every year a member of Wembury’s local community Terry Clarke organises a New Year’s Day dip for all of the public to join in. Year by year the news of the event gets around and participation increases, this year there looked to be over 200 people braving the chill of the sea!
Read More

Beneath the beautiful Salcombe-Kingsbridge estuary lurks one of Britain’s most valuable and threatened habitats. Recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a local nature reserve, the estuary supports significant seagrass meadows, teeming with life. (more...)

Read More

So in late 2011 we were approached by the Port of Plymouth Canoeing Association with a tentative enquiry as to whether we would host their annual canoe camping voyage with an overnight stay at Ayrmer Cove in South Devon. As South Devon Countryside  spans 5 estuaries, canoeing is one watersport where we feel there are huge opportunities to introduce our land to new audiences and from a different perspective so with little hesitation we said 'yes'. In agreeing to their camp at Ayrmer Cove, I made one small request...  Could I have an account of their experiences to share... So here in their...

Read More

It may not always feel like it, but here in South Devon we have some excellent surfing beaches. Some of the rangers here (including me) are passionate surfers too, so we felt it was about time we highlighted just some of the surfing possibilities on offer…

Although the National Trust may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about surfing, our connections with the coast are strong. The National Trust is Britain’s largest coastal landowner, with an incredible 760 miles of coastline, and more than 300 miles in the South...

Read More

It seems a while back now, but last year ss part of our 2011 Walking Festival the National Trust launched ‘NT One’... 101 one mile walks in the South West. In our opinion this was a fantastic little concept which is why we thought it was deserving of its own article to highlight those 1 mile walks across South Devon countryside. As a concept ‘NT One’ aimed to encourage the South West population to get out and about and explore the country’s beautiful coast and countryside, through manageable one mile walks that would appeal to individuals of all abilities. Graded for difficulty, from...

Read More

Early December and im sat in our warm office, large mug of coffee in hand and discussion turns to the annual New Years Day swim at Wembury… The swim is an interesting proposition. Efficiently organised by Terry Clarke, it occurs each year on Trust land at Wembury Beach and attracts quite a crowd who come to watch the bold and the foolish have their first dip of the year, whilst at the same time raising money for an extremely worthwhile cause in the 'Shekinah Mission', a local Plymouth homeless charity. However,...

Read More

Perhaps you caught the National Trust paddling the Salcombe Estuary on Countryfile, or maybe you have used our waterproof canoe map this summer? Well now on Tuesday 25 October you can come and join us on the water for the last time this year on a Canadian canoe adventure with our guide Dave Halsall of Singing Paddles. (more...)

Read More

The National Trust South Devon Countryside today launch two new downloadable walks around Wembury Point with a difference... Instead of following your feet whilst out walking, what if you were to look beneath them into rock pools teeming with life or cast your alternatively gaze out to sea and know just what those ‘dots on the horizon’ are? Well now with the launch of these two unique marine and maritime walks for Wembury it’s possible to do both as National Trust ranger Simon Hill explains...
Read More

Whilst Plymbridge Woods on the edge of Plymouth maybe slightly out of our own area of countryside management, the Trust has some ambitious plans for cycling in the woodland which will offer a fantastic opportunity to get outdoors on your bike. The National Trust has submitted plans to Plymouth City Council for a series of cycle trails at Plymbridge Woods nr Plymouth.  The plans also include a café building to provide refreshments, seating, toilets and cycle hire.
Read More

Over the past year the South Devon National Trust rangers have held a number of events working in partnership with the Kingsbridge and Dartmouth Children’s Centres. Our work with the Children’s Centres has been a fantastic way for young families to access the countryside. It is hoped that those involved feel more comfortable taking young children into the great outdoors to enjoy all that nature has to offer. The last of this year’s outdoor adventures took place in National Trust woodlands at Halwell Wood, near South Pool and Gallants Bower, near Dartmouth where the families participated...

Read More