East Devon AONB

The South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) covers 337 square kilometres, including much of the South Hams area of Devon and the rugged coastline from Jennycliff Bay to Elberry Cove near Brixham. The purpose of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is to conserve and enhance the area's natural beauty. In South Devon this includes: undeveloped coastline, estuaries, geological and geomorphological features, expansive panoramic views, ancient agricultural field pattern, Devon banks, areas of high tranquility, dark night skies and natural nightscapes, historic features, green lanes, well known cultural associations, picturesque villages and hamlets. South Devon AONB was formally designated in August 1960 under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (South Devon AONB Management Plan 2009-14). The highest point in the AONB is Blackdown Camp at 199 metres above sea level. Towns and villages within the area include Bigbury/Burgh Island, Kingsbridge, Newton Ferrers, Battisborough Cross, Salcombe on the Kingsbridge Estuary, Slapton, Wembury, and Dartmouth and Kingswear on either side of the River Dart Estuary. The AONB also includes several Sites of Special Scientific Interest, including two national nature reserves and four Special Areas of Conservation. It contains nationally important populations of greater horseshoe bat, cirl bunting, shore dock and great green bush cricket. The AONB also includes a 97km section of the South West Coast Path, 10 kilometres of cliffs at Bolt Head, Bolberry Down which is one of the longest stretches of coast belonging to the National Trust and Prawle Point, the southernmost point in Devon.

Leigh Cell was a monastery in Devon, England.

Aveton Gifford is a small rural village in the south of the English county of Devon. It lies at the head of the estuary of the River Avon or Aune, at the point where it is crossed by the A379 road. It receives its name from this river and also from the family of Giffard who held the manor. Walter Giffard came across with William the Conqueror and helped with the Domesday Book.The village is located in the South Hams district of Devon and is bounded by Modbury, Bigbury, Thurlestone, Churchstow and Loddiswell. In the 2001 census the parish had a population of 772, rising to 833 at the 2011 census. There is currently a pub, a community village shop/post office, a primary school, a pre-school and a selection of parish organisations. The village is a major part of the electoral ward of Charterlands. This ward also includes Bigbury. Its population at the abovementioned census was 1,951.

Bantham Cross is a tiny hamlet near Churchstow, in Devon, England. There are a few buildings in it, and a roundabout. The buildings are sparse and are part of Elston, Offields, Osborne Newton and Nuckwell farms.

South Efford Marsh is a nature reserve of the Devon Wildlife Trust. It is situated by the River Avon, about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) south-west of the village of Aveton Gifford, in Devon, England.

Ashford is a hamlet in the South Hams district, in the county of Devon, England.

Churchstow is a small village situated on the A379 road in the South Hams district in south Devon, England. It is situated 1.9 miles (3 km) north-west of Kingsbridge and 16 miles (26 km) south-east of Plymouth. The parish had a population of 465 in 2011, according to the 2011 UK Census.

Loddiswell is a parish and village in the South Hams district of Devon, England. It lies on the west side of the River Avon or Aune and is three miles NNW from Kingsbridge. There is evidence of occupation going back to Roman times. The villages most famous son and benefactor was Richard Peek who retired here after being one of the Sheriffs of London. The name Loddiswell is a corruption of Saint Loda's well, named after one of the many saints that occurred all over the westcountry, especially in Cornwall.

Fosse Copse is a woodland in Devon, England, near the village of Loddiswell. It covers a total area of 1.88 hectares (4.65 acres) on the west facing slope of the Avon Valley. It is owned and managed by the Woodland Trust. There is no public access.

Andrews Wood, (near Modbury in Devon), is a nature reserve managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust.It is also a 23.5 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, notified in 1952. The site supports the largest colony of Heath Lobelia (Lobelia urens) in Great Britain. In 2009, 9828 plants were recorded.

Yarrowbury is an Iron Age hill fort situated close to Bigbury in Devon, England. The fort is situated on Hilltop to the north east of the village at approximately 80 metres above sea level, overlooking the Avon Estuary.

Brownston is a hamlet in Devon, England. It is located within Modbury Parish. Its church (dedicated to St John the Baptist) is now a private home and was built in 1844. There is also a converted Wesleyan chapel. Several of the farmhouses in Brownston are grade II listed. It also has a converted school and forge and was a busier place when the road through Brownston was a main route for people travelling from the South Hams area to Plymouth during the gold rush days. Brownston Cross was renamed California Cross at this time.