Red Devon clay, a proper Devon cream tea, lizards basking in the sun, sandstone cliffs, salty chips by the sea, grass up the middle, waders at Goosemoor, quaint thatched villages, soaring buzzards, water crossings, Heavitree stone, ice-cream on the beach, inquisitive donkeys, yellow gorse, life-affirming sea dips, the South West Coast Path, views to Portland, cormorants drying their wings, hike-a-bike, star-filled skies, a pint of Otter, tractor track ruts, purple heather, wet feet, hidden bird hides, fishing boats, the smell of pine, the morning chorus, ginger South Devon cows, lobster pots on the pebbles and a cuppa at Ducky’s.
Devon delicacies to enjoy
- Devon cream tea (#creamfirst though, obviously)
- Ice-cream: Taste in Sidmouth is the best
- Local seafood and mussels from the Exe Estuary
- Fish and chips: on the beach or from Lemon Plaice, Axminster
- Local tipples: Otter, Exeter Brewery and Lyme Bay Winery
- Breakfast at Ducky’s on Beer beach. A classic
- Farm shop resupply: Otterton Mill, Darts Farm, Pynes Farm Shop, Coldharbour Farm Shop and Knights Farm Shop
Places to stay
For overnight stays, there are a number of great campsites in East Devon, as well as a YHA at Beer and many gorgeous guesthouses, bed and breakfasts and independent hotels.
Unfortunately, wild camping without the landowner’s permission is not permitted in England, but there are some options at Nearly Wild Camping including Beacon Camping at kilometre 143, and Rhea Farm and Fishery also comes highly recommended near Axminster. Here are a few more tried and tested sites:
Support FORCE Cancer Charity
If you enjoy the trail, we’d strongly urge you to consider donating to FORCE Cancer Charity to help fund their vital work.
FORCE (Friends of the Oncology and Radiotherapy Centre, Exeter) became a charity in 1987, with a Cancer Support and Information Centre at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital that’s supported many families in the decades since.
Donate by visiting the FORCE Cancer Charity JustGiving page.
Leave no trace
It goes without saying that you should follow the principles of Leave No Trace when you venture on your East Devon Trail journey (and every time you venture outside).
If you don’t think you can leave the area in an even better condition that you found it in, this trail is not for you.
Looking for a little inspiration? Check out the amazing work of Trash Free Trails.
What bike is best?
Alas, East Devon is as hilly as you’d expect (and some more). Rocky chutes demand some hike-a-bike, and wider tyres certainly have the advantage here.
Whether you opt for MTB or gravel bike is up to you, but either way there are some steep inclines and techy trails, so better suited to more experienced bikepackers rather than first-timers.
The good news is that you won’t need oodles of space in your packs for food, especially for the coastal leg, as you’re never far from a cafe/farm shop/pub. Delightful.
'East Devon in its Sunday best'
Nicola Carass
New Forest Off Road Club
Get in touch at eastdevontrail@gmail.com
Generously supported by komoot and Outdoor Provisions
Proudly supporting FORCE Cancer Charity