Top Things to do in South Devon
Things to do in South Devon, England: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
Discover the best top things to do in South Devon, United Kingdom including South Hams, Buckfast Butterfly Farm and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary, Slapton Ley Field Centre, Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve, Slapton Ley Nature Reserve, Devon Bird of Prey Centre, RSPB Labrador Bay Nature Reserve, The Donkey Sanctuary Ivybridge, Dartmoor Hawking.
Restaurants in South Devon
1. South Hams
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By JaneP855 - Northampton, United Kingdom
This could be my favourite corner of the world. Where could be more perfect for rock pooling than Hope Cove? And Salcombe... messing about in boats, people watching and eating the best ice cream...
2. Buckfast Butterfly Farm and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,966 reviews
We are a small, friendly and very different visit for all the family. Run by a small dedicated team we aim to make your visit educational and fun. You can enjoy and learn about our tropical butterflies in the specially designed habitat of which you become part. You not only see the butterflies but feel the rainforest atmosphere that they enjoy as you see their amazing life cycle unfold.In the Otter Sanctuary there are three species of otter to see, our native British otter, the playful Asian short clawed otters and the large North American river otters who love to show off. Our keeper is on hand to explain all about the otters to visitors, some are here for breeding, some for retirement, some just for fun and some because they are unsuitable to be returned to the wild.Make sure to bring your camera.
Reviewed By DaveWebbSouthMolton - South Molton, United Kingdom
A cheap, value for money attraction. We have been several times and always found all the staff there informative and very helpful. We particularly like the fact that it is left to be natural which is very important for otters as it replicates their natural environment. well stocked shop with a good selection of goods on sale including some gorgeous canvas photographs of the otters there. The keepers passion for the animals there excels during the otter feeding times and its obviously a love and passion rathe than a job - well done to all of them there for providing what can only be described as a great visit attraction for less than a tenner each!
3. Slapton Ley Field Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
4. Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 175 reviews
Reviewed By castle1_10 - Leeds, United Kingdom
Nice walk after a dinner brunch nearby per the title we have always said let’s walk on the sand dunes. Pleasant enough on a sunny warm day plenty to note from the views across the estuary plus the wildlife that habitat this area we noted several bird watchers here with the big telephoto lens pointing to the marsh lands. Possibly the best time to do this could be mid afternoon when the sun gets over into the western side of Dawlish Warren.
5. Slapton Ley Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By andyhutchison - Kingsbridge, United Kingdom
Lovely place to walk, nice walk back from Torcross, largest natural fresh water lake in south Devon. Good little cafe at the end and also clean toilets in the car park
6. Devon Bird of Prey Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
We house a selection of beautiful Birds of Prey from all over the world. We have a flying display at 2.00 on Sat and Sun during our winter season* We offer wonderful experiences** where you can come and spend part of the day with the birds, handling and flying a selection for yourself, an experience you will never forget. We offer educational visits to schools and other groups and can enhance your event or wedding by offering a display *weather dependent and subject to availability ** must be prebooked
Reviewed By janey76 - Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
We visited late in the afternoon and were lucky enough to be the only people there! The birds are wonderful to see and are clearly well cared for. Although there were no flying displays due to Covid restrictions, we had the opportunity to see some of the birds up close while they were being fed by their handlers. A special mention of thanks to Caitlin, who spent a lot of time engaging with our children (age 7&8), answering all of their questions and making it an extra special and memorable visit.
7. RSPB Labrador Bay Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
This nature reserve near Shaldon was purchased in 2008 to help secure the future of the cirl bunting, a rare bird whose population is almost entirely restricted to south Devon. The reserve is a well-known beauty spot, with stunning views over Lyme Bay. The reserve is great for watching wildlife from cirl buntings and peregrines to butterflies, grasshoppers and crickets.
Reviewed By Pipp98 - Jarrow, United Kingdom
A must whilst visiting South Devon! I'm not big on long walks or anything hilly... however the breathtaking sights are 100% worth it! and there are different walking paths which offer a different level of challenge. The day we explored Labrador Bay... turned out to be THE hottest day, around 30 degrees. It had some lovely shady parts to stop and rest and amazing views. In the end, we got to the Thatched Tavern, a pub and you best believe that pint was PERFECT... you end up in Maidencombe beach which is a lovely small beach, perfect for a dip in the lovely waters!
