Mid Devon, Devon Lanes, Villages and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Much of Exeter and Essential Devon's countryside is designated as Area's of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Situated as it is between Dartmoor and Exmoor National Park, there are few places better to get close to nature and enjoy the tranquillity of rural life.

The hills, fertile valleys and woodlands found in Mid Devon teem with wildlife and are punctuated by farmland, quiet roads and traditional narrow, high banked Devon lanes, flower laden in springtime.

The Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty, which covers both Mid Devon and East Devon are one of the area's greatest gems. The hills have special qualities of unspolied natural beauty and a rare sense of peace. A paradise for walkers and riders, a vast selection of footpaths and bridleways can be found here.

Visit Tiverton, the largest town in Mid Devon, for echoes of the past including a romantic castle and horse-drawn barge trips on the idyllic Grand Western Canal. Occupying a strategic position on two rivers, the Exe and the Lowman, brought Tiverton wealth as a flourishing textile town, resulting in many fine buildings.

On the outskirts of Tiverton lies the Grand Western Canal with an amazing 24 bridges along its 11-mile stretch. Built originally to transport lime, it is now a beauty spot with yellow flags and arrowhead, darting dragonflies, coots, mallards, and moorhens with pleasant walking along the towpath, or trips afloat on gaily painted barges drawn by magnificent shire horses, courtesy of the Grand Western Horse Boat Co.

Crediton is a lively market town with a magnificent church and a famous saint, St Boniface. Crediton contains many local independent retailers, a refreshing antidote to High Street chains, and there is also a thriving farmers' market.

The peaceful country town of Cullompton is set within the tranquil Culm Valley, and boasts one of the UK's most magnificent churches. Located near Cullompton is Broadclyst, a village teaming with National trust properties and one of the National Trust's gems, Killerton House.

It is also worth making a detour to Coldharbour Mill at Uffculme, a historic working woollen mill with waterwheel and original steam engine that gives a fascinating glimpse into the textile industry that once flourished in the area.

The gateway to Exmoor National Park Bampton, every October the town holds the ancient Bampton Charter Fair which will be 750 years old in 2008. Here Exmoor ponies are once again traded just as they were in the famous Bampton Pony Fair from the 1880s to the 1980s. For three days afterwards the town continues its celebrations in After the Fair - lively fun and entertainment for all ages.