East Devon AONB

East Devon AONB is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty located in Devon, England, near the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is characterized by its diverse landscape, featuring rolling hills, scenic valleys, and picturesque villages, such as Ottery St Mary and Sidmouth. The East Devon AONB is situated near the River Otter and the River Sid, which flow into the English Channel. The area is also close to the Dartmoor National Park and the Exmoor National Park.

Introduction

The East Devon AONB was designated in 1963, recognizing its unique natural beauty and cultural significance, similar to other Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the United Kingdom, such as the Lake District National Park and the Peak District National Park. The area is managed by Natural England and Devon County Council, in partnership with local communities, such as the East Devon District Council and the Devon Wildlife Trust. The East Devon AONB is also part of the Natura 2000 network, a European Union initiative to conserve and protect natural habitats, such as the River Otter and the Pebblebed Heaths. The area is home to several notable landmarks, including the Sidmouth Folk Week and the Ottery St Mary Carnival.

Geography

The East Devon AONB covers an area of approximately 103 km², stretching from the River Exe in the west to the River Axe in the east, and from the English Channel in the south to the Culm Measures in the north. The area includes several scenic valleys, such as the Otter Valley and the Sid Valley, which are characterized by their rolling hills, woodlands, and picturesque villages, such as Tipton St John and Venn Ottery. The East Devon AONB is also close to the Blackdown Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Somerset and Devon. The area is situated near several notable towns, including Honiton, Seaton, and Axminster.

Geology

The East Devon AONB is underlain by a diverse range of geological formations, including Triassic sandstones, Jurassic limestones, and Cretaceous chalks, similar to the Isle of Wight and the Dorset Coast. The area is also characterized by its complex geological structure, featuring several faults and folds, such as the Lulworth Cove and the Durdle Door. The East Devon AONB is home to several notable geological sites, including the Sidmouth Pebble Bed and the Otter Sandstone, which are of great interest to geologists, such as Charles Lyell and William Smith. The area is also close to the Geological Conservation Review sites, such as the Jurassic Coast and the Purbeck Monocline.

Wildlife and Conservation

The East Devon AONB is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including several rare and endangered species, such as the Dartford warbler and the nightjar, which are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Habitats Directive. The area is also an important habitat for several migratory species, such as the swallow and the house martin, which are monitored by organizations, such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the British Trust for Ornithology. The East Devon AONB is part of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths Special Area of Conservation, which is designated to protect the area's unique heathland habitats, such as the Pebblebed Heaths and the Woodbury Common. The area is also close to the Exe Estuary, a Ramsar site and a Special Protection Area.

Tourism and Recreation

The East Devon AONB is a popular destination for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of activities, such as hiking, cycling, and horse riding, along trails, such as the East Devon Way and the Exe Valley Way. The area is also home to several scenic villages, such as Branscombe and Beer, which offer a range of amenities, including shops, restaurants, and accommodation, such as the Sidmouth Hotel and the Royal York and Faulkner Hotel. The East Devon AONB is close to several notable attractions, including the Donkey Sanctuary and the Norman Lockyer Observatory. The area is also situated near several popular events, such as the Sidmouth Folk Week and the Ottery St Mary Carnival.

Management and Protection

The East Devon AONB is managed by a partnership of organizations, including Natural England, Devon County Council, and the East Devon District Council, which work together to conserve and protect the area's natural beauty and cultural heritage, in accordance with the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the National Planning Policy Framework. The area is also protected by several designations, including the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Special Area of Conservation, which provide a framework for managing and protecting the area's unique landscapes and habitats, such as the Pebblebed Heaths and the River Otter. The East Devon AONB is part of the Devon Local Nature Partnership, which brings together organizations, such as the Devon Wildlife Trust and the RSPB, to conserve and protect the area's natural environment, in partnership with local communities, such as the East Devon Community Trust and the Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce.