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Quick LinksLet’s visit Blackdown Hills AONB
Unspoilt rural landscape, magical woodland and unspoilt rivers – A visit to Blackdown Hills area of natural beauty is one you won’t want to miss! Just a short drive from our holiday park in Devon, the area is home to cycling, walking and plenty of history to interest visitors. This is one to add to your itinerary!
Landscape
The Hills stretch from the iconic steep wooded scarp face to the north. In the South the land gently dips away, separated by valleys. The hill tops are open windswept spaces while hamlets and villages are tucked away among patchwork fields and hedgebanks.
Must see places to visit
There are plenty of places to visit in the Blackdown Hills, whether you’re interested in history, wildlife spotting or simply wish to admire the views.
Not everywhere here is hilly! Dunkeswell Airfield is on flat terrain. Here you can visit the Heritage Centre and explore the history of this second world war RAF base.
Close to the Madford River and the village of Dunkeswell are the remains of Devon’s major Cistercian monasteries, founded in 1201. The Abbey can be viewed from the public footpath and you can discover more about the site in the red telephone box nearby…
Let’s get ready to ramble
The Blackdown Hills lends itself perfectly to all kinds of outdoor activities. Whether that be rambling on two feet, four hooves or two wheels, there are plenty of routes to explore and enjoy! Challenge yourself to steep, heart racing routes or make the most of the easier routes which are not too strenuous and great if you have limited mobility!
Wildlife
The varied landscape of the Blackdown Hills supports a rich assemble of wildlife including many species of bats, butterflies, meadow flowers, beavers, otters and more! Ancient hedges flourish with hedgerow trees and flower-rich banks, watch the hedgerows come to life with displays of primrose and bluebells in the spring, A patchwork of ancient semi-natural woodland linked by hedgerows provide shelter and food for the ever-growing dormouse population.
The very best vantage point
The Blackdown Hills AONB allows for the perfect opportunity to make the most of the hills and enjoy stunning views across the countryside. One of the most popular viewpoints is the Culmstock Beacon, used in the Elizabethan times for lighting fires to ward off enemies. The 250 metre summit offers magnificent views across the Devon and Somerset countryside. The site is particularly beautiful in the late summer when the bell heather is in bloom.
Art and culture
As an area of outstanding natural beauty, the Blackdown Hills is undoubtedly a huge source of inspiration for local artists. From the deep blue of the north ridge, springtime flowers, patchwork meadows and rich sunsets.
The Blackdown Hills Artists and Makers is an organisation of creative practitioners who live and work in the Blackdown Hills to create a variety of projects and art influenced by the AONB.
Why not make a trip to Blackdown Hills AONB on your next caravan holiday in Devon…
