Make the most of the May Bank holidays in Devon this year with a walk on the wild side along the South West Coast Path National Trail. There are plenty of short routes to choose from lasting half a day or less where you can be inspired by the brilliant tapestry of wild flowers which carpet the banks and borders of this long distance trail. Plus, it’s all free, including the route descriptions, which can be downloaded from the website.
With two long Bank Holidays to enjoy in May this year (2nd May and 30th May 2011) there is plenty of time to enjoy the delights of the Coast Path which from late Spring to early Autumn is home to a wide variety of wild flowers, from violets, primroses and bluebells to pink thrift and white campion, sea holly, evening primrose and wild orchids.
Walk from East Portlemouth to Gara Rock (3.75 miles) near Salcombe in South Devon and be delighted by the late spring blue bells which bloom alongside the path. The presence of Bluebells often indicates the site of an ancient woodland which may have grown at some point in the area. Later in the summer bobbing pink drifts of thrift and sea campion give splashes of seasonal colour and the dramatically named “Bloody Cranesbill” a wild geranium will also be in abundance. You may also be rewarded by the sight of rare wild butterflies such as Pearl and Small Pearl Fritillaries which are resplendent with their bright orange and black wings.
East Prawle to Prawle Point (4 miles) takes you to Devon’s most southerly point. The climate and the richness of the habitat attracts many butterflies and is also renowned for many species of wildflowers. The lacy white rosettes of wild carrot grow abundantly along the coast path and the small blue stars of Spring and Autumn.
Also in South Devon, the Wildlife and Forts of Berry Head Walk (2 miles) leads you through the Berry Head National Nature Reserve which is Torbay’s most important wildlife site. It boasts many rare plants which are dependent upon and have adapted to the thin soils, mild climate and exposed conditions of the headland. Eight different species of wild orchids grow here which supply 25 different species of butterfly with sustenance. For many butterflies this is their first opportunity to feed after migrating from France.
Croyde to Saunton Down in North Devon (4 miles) is a fascinating walk which takes in the UK’s first newly designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve at Braunton Burrows. The area is the largest sand dune system in England. Braunton Burrows is fed by the windblown sand from the broad strand of Saunton Sands. It is a Botanists paradise and it is also home to almost five hundred species of flowering plant, including rare and specialised species. Return to the South West Coast Path in July when most of the turf plants are flowering such as Sea Stock, Sand Toadflax and Water Germander.
Some of the South West Coast Path winds its away through some stunning coastal woodland where many wild flowers are known to flourish. The Seaton to Lyme Regis Undercliffs walk (7 miles) takes you through ash and field maple woodland of the East Devon Undercliff which was one of Britain’s first natural nature reserves and is now part of an area of Special Scientific Interest. Some of the woodland is very ancient, up to four hundred years old and it also provides a habitat for spring displays of primrose, anemone and bluebells as well as the moss and lichen which decorate the trees.
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Hotels in Salcombe
Hotels in Salcombe
Hotels in Lyme Regis
Holiday cottages in Lyme Regis
