South Devon National Landscape
National Landcapes are Britain’s best landscapes. There are 46 of them, all designated by government and protected by law. Each one has its own special character.
The South Devon National Landscape was designated by government in 1960. It covers 60 glorious miles of coastline, estuaries and countryside between Plymouth and Torbay.
The special features of the South Devon National Landscape include its rugged coastline, sandy beaches, secretive estuaries, patchwork countryside and historic villages – to name but a few! Visit our website to discover more.
Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary
The Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary is unusual because it has no large river feeding it, just a series of small streams from Frogmore, Bowcombe, Batson, East Allington, Sherford and other surrounding villages, rising at springs some 140 metres above sea level. It is tidal up as far as Kingsbridge, the bridging point five miles inland.
As well as being part of the National Landscape, the estuary is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a local nature reserve and lies within the South Devon Heritage Coast.
Two tides a day fill this ‘ria’ or drowned river valley with sea water. With no river input the estuary is almost entirely a marine system which has brought about some rare and important habitats and species. Reed beds, mudflats and eelgrass beds all help to support the abundance of wildlife that inhabits Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary.
The expansive mudflats in its upper regions contain a huge abundance of worms, snails and bacteria, which in turn provide an important food source for wading birds and fish populations within the estuary. The lower fringe of the foreshore is inhabited by eelgrass providing a nursery habitat for fish and seahorses.
The Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary is also home to species of crab, shellfish, otters and it is not uncommon to see dolphins, seals and basking sharks venturing into the estuary to feed. Find out more about the wildlife, see interactive maps, download walks and find ideas for days out here on our website.
