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Budleigh Salterton Information Centre14 Fore Street
Budleigh Salterton
Devon EX9 6NG
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  • Home
  • Explore
    • Budleigh Salterton
    • Budleigh Beach
    • Leisure activities
    • Local Attractions
    • River Otter Estuary
    • River Otter habitat and wildlife
    • Lower Otter Restoration Project
    • Beavers on the River Otter
    • Pebblebed Heaths
    • SW Coast Path and Jurassic Coast
    • Surrounding area
  • Stay
  • Eat
  • Community
    • Water Quality, Weather, Tide Times
    • Festivals
    • Essential Services
    • General services
    • Budleigh Clubs, Classes and Societies
    • Churches
    • History and heritage
    • Bicton Arena
  • Directory
    • Full Directory
    • Shopping
    • Services
    • Leisure
    • Venue Hire
    • Health and Fitness
    • Education
    • Attractions
    • Entertainment
    • Galleries and Art
    • Love Budleigh Merchandise
  • What's On
  • Getting here
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The Pebblebed Heaths

THE COMMONS: East Budleigh, Lympstone, Bicton, Woodbury, Colaton Raleigh, Hawkerland Valley, Harpford, Aylesbeareand Venn Ottery
The East Devon Pebblebed Heaths comprise a number of adjacent Commons, including those of Dalditch, Withycombe, Lympstone, East Budleigh, Bicton, Woodbury, Colaton Raleigh, Hawkerland, Aylesbeare and Harpford. The core area is owned by Clinton Devon Estates and managed by the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust.

The Pebblebed Heaths have been occupied by people since the Bronze Age, when turf cutting, burning and grazing helped turn the once densely wooded area into the sweeping open landscape that we love today.

Though semi-natural, heathlands have high wildlife value and support species that are rarely found elsewhere. Without continued management and protection, this threatened habitat can quickly revert to scrub and, ultimately, to woodland. Heathlands are now so rare in Europe that there is a particular need to protect those few areas that remain to ensure the survival of this distinctive landscape, as well as the specialised species that depend on this habitat.
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One of the most popular sites is the historic Woodbury Castle; an ancient hill fort dating back to the early-middle iron age, during the 6th and 4th centuries BC. Woodbury Castle is one of the largest archaeological monuments in Devon, situated on the western border of the heath. The Castle was likely built over a 200-year period, at a time when the trees would have been cleared to give commanding views of approaching travellers or even enemies, rising 175 metres above the sea level. The Castle’s impressive ramparts and ditch are still recognisable today, offering a fascinating insight into the ancient world of Pebblebed Heaths. Geophysical surveys conducted have unearthed evidence that revealed the presence of houses within the structure, whilst the Castle’s chiefs are likely buried in the nearby tumuli and burial mounds.
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Whether you are a dog walker, a mountain biker, a horse rider, a runner or simply someone who wants to explore this vast and stunning landscape, there is always something to enjoy on the site.

See our events calendar for details about Heath Week. 
events calendar

Your visit to the Pebblebed Heaths

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Estuary wildlife

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Budleigh Salterton Information Centre
14 Fore Street
Budleigh Salterton
Devon EX9 6NG

TEL: +44(0)1395 445275
​EMAIL: [email protected]

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