Explore Devon this half term

A host of opportunities to explore Devon the naturally healthy way are on offer during February half term, giving people the chance to take a deep breath of fresh air and make the most of Devon’s fantastic woodlands, parks and urban green spaces, moors and coasts.

Explore Devon is a new website packed with activities and places to go during the February half-term, and ways to entertain the children; offering the chance to go outdoors and get muddy, build a den, collect bark rubbings, climb a tree or play hide and seek.

Winter in Devon is a great time to wrap up warm and enjoy the spectacular scenery without the crowds – including the moors and coastline.   Explore Devon provides ideas to try new things such as birdwatching on the estuaries, star gazing at night or a bracing walk along the Jurassic Coast’s pebble beaches.

Inland there are plenty of family friendly walking or cycling trails, including Stover Country Park near Newton Abbot, the Grand Western Canal Country Park in Mid Devon, the Tarka Trail in North Devon and Drake’s Trail on the edge of Plymouth.

The Explore Devon website provides information on multi-use trails to suit all needs and abilities, including short level routes for wheelchairs and pushchairs, or something longer with more challenging terrain.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:  “Getting out into the great outdoors is good for our health, wellbeing and our social life, and in Devon you really don’t have to go far and it doesn’t have to cost anything.
“Devon’s natural environment provides the most wonderful way for people of all ages and abilities to get out and about, discover new interests and places, all of which can have a very positive effect on us.

“Simply getting out and enjoying somewhere special helps us feel happier and more connected to nature.  There are lots of ways our beaches, countryside and moors and the parks, rivers and canals in our towns and cities, can make our mind, body and soul feel good.”
The website explains all the essentials, like how to get to there, travel and parking information and refreshment stops. There are maps that can be downloaded and used to walk or cycle with, and an indication of the terrain.

For more information visit www.exploredevon.info.