The remains of the largest castle in Devon, in a stunning setting on a wooded spur above the rushing River Okement. Begun soon after the Norman Conquest as a motte and bailey castle with a stone keep, it was converted into a sumptuous residence in the 14th century by Hugh Courtenay, Earl of Devon, much of whose work survives. After the last Courtenay owner fell foul of Henry VIII in 1539, the castle declined into a ruin.
There is a riverside picnic area and beautiful woodland walks nearby. It's also a great place for bird lovers with regular visiting species and in spring and early summer you can enjoy a variety of seasonal wild flowers, which adorn the meadow, woodland and motte.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/okehampton-castle/
Okehampton Castle Castle Lodge, Okehampton EX20 1JA
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This hillfort in Devon was built during the 4th century BC. It was used by an Iron Age tribal people, probably for several hundred years. Blackbury Camp had impressive ramparts, and the single entrance was protected by a large triangular earthwork or ‘barbican’. Now surrounded by woodland, the hillfort is a popular spot for picnics.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/blackbury-camp/
Blackbury Camp Southleigh, nr Colyton EX24 6JE
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The best known of many prehistoric settlements on Dartmoor, Grimspound dates from the late Bronze Age (about 1450–700 BC). The remains of 24 stone roundhouses survive here, within a massive boundary wall about 150 metres in diameter. There are great views of the site from Hookney Tor and the high ground on Hameldown.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/grimspound/
Grimspound Postbridge, Yelverton PL20 6TB
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The extensive, atmospheric remains of this isolated village lie on the eastern edge of Dartmoor. The settlement consists of a cluster of 13th century stone longhouses – in which the family lived at one end and the animals at the other – on land that was originally farmed in the Bronze Age. Hound Tor was probably deserted in the early 15th century. From the top of Greator Rocks, there is a fine view over the abandoned village and the surrounding moors.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hound-tor-deserted-medieval-village/
Hound Tor deserted medieval village, Manaton, nr Newton Abbot TQ13 9XG
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The Warren is a key part the Exe Estuary Special Protection Area and Ramsar site - an area of international importance for wildlife. It provides the main roosting site for huge numbers of wading birds and wildfowl that spend the autumn and winter on the Estuary. The Warren is also designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for its dune grassland, humid dune slacks and the tiny, rare 'petalwort' that grows there. As well as fixed and mobile dunes, there are meadows, copses, reedbeds, ponds and saltmarsh here - and the whole sandspit is of considerable geomorphological interest.
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Aller Brook has a mosaic of very varied habitats, which together support a wide range of flora and fauna. The site is dominated by a patchwork of flowery grassland and scrub with other habitats including reedbeds and the river itself. Many species of flowering plants have been recorded, including a large Bee Orchid colony, a scarce plant in Teignbridge District. Aller Brook is very closely linked with the Teign Estuary and is used as a green corridor by many different species of wildlife. These include a wide range of butterflies, grasshoppers and dragonflies. Kingfishers and otters have also been spotted here.
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Hackney Marshes Local Nature Reserve is low-lying area of flood meadows at the head of the Teign Estuary by Kingsteignton. The rich mosaic of marshy meadows, swaying grassland, rustling reedbeds and tranquil ponds makes Hackney home to a host of special plants and animals and a fascinating place to visit at any time of year. A network of level paths enables you to explore these seasonal flood meadows, which are surrounded by mature hedgerows, a small ornamental woodland and an old orchard.
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Coombe Valley Local Nature Reserve is a wildlife corridor nestling between housing developments in North West Teignmouth. The valley, which was once farmed, is a patchwork of meadows and hedges, linked by a network of paths. It is managed for the benefit of wildlife and quiet recreation.
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Jetty Marsh is part of the River Teign floodplain and is an intimate mixture of reedbeds, grassland, scrub and tidal waters fringed by mudflats. The site is important for its wildlife, such as reed warbler and Cetti's warbler, and is designated as a County Wildlife Site.
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Churchills is a Local Nature Reserve with spectacular views over Newton Abbot.
Nestled next to Highweek Church on the northern edge of Newton Abbot, there are three small fields with benches from which you can enjoy the fine views out over the town and the Teign Estuary or up towards Dartmoor. The grassland of the two very steep fields has a great diversity of wildflowers and butterflies - much of the grass is left long through the summer so that people can enjoy the sight and the wildlife can thrive.
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