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Treading gently across Devon’s incredible natural landscape, our expert guides will take you on a fascinating wildlife journey across the high moors, contrasting coastlines, and along estuaries and woodland trails. We’ll reconnect to nature with total immersion in the natural splendour of Devon.
Our 4-day 3-night tour will allow you to explore the wilds of Devon on land and in the water, to discover the wildlife that lives within this stunning landscape. From Dartmoor ponies, beavers and otters, to dolphins and seals, you’ll be amazed at the things you’ll see as our guides use their local knowledge to show you the ‘road less travelled’. With stunning views around every corner, excellent accommodation, wonderful pubs and delicious cuisine, our Devon tour is unique and unsurpassed – Join one of our friendly groups, meet like-minded people and discover the wildlife magic of Devon.
Destinations – Scenic walkways and waterways crossing moors, estuaries, woodlands and parks for some great walking and swimming.
Visits – Iconic wildlife sites, beautiful, wild swimming spots and vast landscapes that will take your breath away.
Hotel and Food – Cosy tried and tested hotels and B&B’s, the highest and oldest pub on Dartmoor for a local pint or two, and Devonshire cream tea galore – we know the best spot(s)!
Guides – Fully guided tour with qualified experts with first-hand experience of the routes who go above and beyond for our guests.
Led by our outstanding guides, we know every bend in the road, river or track, beach or headland, and cafe stop, local pub and vineyard to suit all tastes! You’ll not need to worry about any of your luggage transfers, bookings or equipment as it will all have been taken care of for you. Our days are full and active but without the rush.
Easy train journeys from London, Bristol or the Midlands, take you to the start of your trip or come by car and we’ll transfer you back at the end of the tour. On this tour you will immerse yourself in wonderful Devon countryside, with a wide range of activities, relax in the evenings in some of the best pubs known to man!
A Day for Otters and Beavers. We will meet you at Exeter St Davids station at 12.00pm before embarking on a short transfer to Cricklepit Mill, Exeter’s last working watermill and Devon’s Wildlife Trust HQ, for a gentle introduction to the wilds of Devon. We will stop here for lunch and in the afternoon explore the Mill’s extensive wildlife garden and head out in search of Exeter’s mysterious Otters, grey wagtails, kingfishers and sparrowhawks. Up next is Ottery St Mary, where we will hopefully spot the famous beavers (they aren’t too keen on the spotlight) – we will have the opportunity for an amble down the River Otter for a dusk swim at Fluxton Weir, followed by a picnic on the water’s edge before heading to our hotel for the evening.
OPTIONS:
4 miles
Dartmoor Ponies, Sharrah Pool Swimming and Falconry. We start the day with a spot of Tor Bagging, climbing first to Haytor and Hound Tor, arguably two of the most iconic granite outcrops on Dartmoor, where legend has it the rocks were a pack of hounds turned to stone by a witch. Once high up, we will have a great view of the surrounding moors and an opportunity to get up-close and personal with the Dartmoor Ponies. Our expert guide will explain their wild roaming trails and give you a tale or two on their interesting history; known as ‘Heritage’ ponies, with long flowing manes and tails, and reaching no more than 12.2 hands in height. Currently there are around 1,500 ponies on the moors, though in the past these numbers are thought to have reached around 30,000! After lunch at Parke in Bovey Tracey, we will head to the Dart Valley, walking to Spitchwick Common and onto Sharrah Pool for a magical wild swim, before heading back south for a falconry experience in the South Hams. There is nothing more spectacular than seeing these incredible birds of prey up close. We will digest the day over dinner in our favourite local pub before heading back to the hotel.
OPTIONS:
3-8 miles and a Swim
Peregrine Falcons, Dolphins and Seals. Today we head into the Plym Valley to join a well-ridden trail for a gentle walk into Plymouth. If we’re lucky, we will catch sight of the Peregrine falcons nesting in the cliffs and an array of seabirds feasting on the estuaries mud flats as we bike along the wooded path. We will arrive in Plymouth and jump on the ferry to head out into the harbour and beyond and into Cornwall for a dip at the wonderful Cawsands and Kingsands – and time for a traditional pasty and a pint or some delicious Cornish Ice Cream.
5-7 miles and one Swim
Dawn swims and Forage to Burgh Island. We start the day by joining the grey seals for an early start at Mothecombe beach for a refreshing dawn swim before we head to the Old School House for a late breakfast / early brunch. We then cross the River Erme on foot (if tides allow) to join the South West Coast path to begin our coastal ramble towards Challaborough and Burgh island, where we will stop at the Venus café for lunch and The Pilchard Inn, which has been quenching the locals thirst for over 700 years, for a pint. We will have the opportunity to paddle, dip or swim in the (again, if tides allow!) before continuing along the coast to Thurlestone Beach for some seashore foraging in one of the best rock-pooling spots in Devon. At the end of the day we reluctantly return to Exeter St David’s and the end of the tour!
For full information about this tour and to find out all you need to know, download your copy of the detailed itinerary by clicking the button below.
Exeter St David’s Station, Devon
11.00am
3* hotels or Budget Hotels
Absolutely! We bring like-minded people together on these trips, to enjoy a group atmosphere, get stuck into some great activities, water sports, hikes and to share a well-deserved meal with at the end of each day.
Our tours are designed for those looking for an active weekends, mini-breaks and weeks away. All activities can be adapted but a ‘give it a go’ attitude goes a long way! Some of our water sports activities require a basic ability to swim 50-100 metres. If you would like to chat to one of our team about your particular trip, fitness and activity levels and what is involved in coming on one of our tours, please get in touch and we would be happy to help
We provide a kit list before your trip with us. The basics to bring is some swimwear, clothes you don’t mind getting wet or a bit muddy in, a towel, as well as some clothes and shoes suitable for walking and cycling in. By providing all the equipment needed for cycling, kayaking, and more we take the hassle out of your week away, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy your active Devon week away.