Mid Devon has got some excellent restaurants, cafes and country pubs, but if you’re looking to get al fresco, why not discover a new picnic spot this summer?
There are many beautiful spots to throw down your blanket and enjoy a bite to eat outdoors, but we’ve picked 5 highlights to get you started.
Enjoy your lunch with a view at Culmstock Beacon, high up on the Blackdown Common. You’ll have to put in the effort for this one with a walk up to the beacon, like this scenic one on our walking map, but it is well worth the trip for the expansive views across the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Enjoy exploring the beacon itself, an Elizabethan structure used for lighting fires to warn of approaching enemies, before settling down for a welcome picnic of locally made treats.
Grand Western Canal Country Park
The Grand Western Canal itself stretches for 11 miles and there are plenty of picnic benches and areas to enjoy a picnic along the route. The canal basin at Tiverton is a good place to start, with parking on site, public toilets and a children’s play area to keep little ones entertained.
Use one of the picnic benches, or settle down on the grass, with a view of the canal while you eat. Look out for wildlife during your visit, and check out the Visitor Centre. Keep an eye out for the horse-drawn canal barge, the Tivertonian, which moors up at the basin between trips.
Buzzards Woodland
Go off the beaten track into the tranquil Buzzards Woodland, a haven for wildlife. Take in stunning vistas from two viewpoints in the car park before heading off to explore the rambling woodland enjoying winding paths and bridges.
Enjoy a walk around the woodland and surrounding countryside, or settle down straight away to enjoy your snacks. A real oasis tucked away in a beautiful location.
Shobrooke Park and Raddon Top
Raddon Top
Shobrooke Park is a peaceful setting to enjoy a relaxing picnic. The park boasts a magnificent lake, woodland and fabulous views with some wildlife to spot along the way. Dogs on leads are welcome to join you. Parking is limited but don’t let that put you off trying this spot.
If you fancy a higher vantage point, head up to Raddon Top, the highest point in the Raddon Hills above Shobrooke. You’ll have to earn your picnic with the walk there but it’s worth it for the stunning views across the valley and to Dartmoor in the distance.
Bampton Motte
The ‘Motte’ in Bampton, a large mound that would have been the site of a Bailey style castle long ago, offers some great views across the picturesque town. You’ll find picnic benches at the base of the motte and a wonderful adventure playground for kids.
To fully embrace the Mid Devon experience, fill your picnic baskets with local flavours and tasty treats picked up from one of Farm Shops or Farmers’ Markets. Check out our Farm Shop and Farmers’ Market Trail to find out what’s near you.
*** Please respect our landscape; do not bring any barbecues and please take all rubbish away with you. ***
This is low level walking with few or no gradients. This may be along a road or
tarmacked
path. Suitable for all levels of walkers, pushchairs and wheelchair users.
Comfortable
shoes or trainers can be worn.
Moderate
For reasonably fit walkers with no mobility or specific health problems. Some
gradients or uneven terrain. May include unsurfaced rural paths through woodlands or
fields and may have a style. The route maybe less obviously marked in some sections.
Walking boots and warm waterproof clothing are recommended.
Challenging
Good level of fitness and walking experience, some steep climbs and open country with
less well marked sections of the route. Unsurfaced rural paths with rough and uneven
terrain. Suitable for more experienced and prepared walkers. May require a compass
and map. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential.
Technical
For very experienced and fit walkers only, will need to use compass and map, could
have steep inclines and uneven terrain, may need additional technical skills eg
scrambling, crampons etc. You must plan your walk beforehand.
Easy
Suitable for beginners in good health with basic bike skills. Relatively flat and
wide trail suitable for most types of bike.
Moderate
Suitable for riders in good health with basic off-road riding skills. Some
singletrack sections and small obstacles of root and rock may be present. Suitable
for basic mountain bikes.
Challenging
Suitable for proficient mountain bikers with good off-road riding skills and fitness.
Route may contain some challenging climbs, tricky descents and technical features
such as drop-offs and large rocks. Suitable for good mountain bikes.
Technical
Suitable for expert mountain bikers with high level of fitness. Route may contain
greater challenge and difficulty. Riders should expect large and unavoidable
features. Suitable for quality off-road mountain bikes.
