3 Best Spots in Devon to Take Your Dog for a Walk
Known as the birthplace of the Jack Russell Terrier, it almost seems like Devon was designed for man's best friend. A visit down South will have something in store for everyone, especially dog lovers. Just make sure that your beloved pet is actually fit to go on long walks and you'll be good to go to any of these lovely spots:
Branscombe to Beer
Credit - Pip Rolls under CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
Branscombe to Beer is a 5.9-mile walk through hills and along the coastline. It may not be the easiest of treks, but it is certainly worth it and it's ideal for pups (and their owners).
Before heading off, fuel up at Branscombe village and visit the old forge and Manor Mill. From here, you can go straight to the stony beach to see the anchor of the beached MSC Napoli. A little further on, you'll find yourself at the Jurassic Coast, noted by Countryfile's travel guide as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Treat yourselves afterwards at a seaside pub to watch the sunset.
Remember that while the paths here are open to the public, free parking is only available for National Trust members.
Dartmoor National Park
Credit - Lewis Clarke under CC BY-SA 2.0 License.
If you would like to make a day of it, head on over to the beautiful Dartmoor National Park. Its tors were formed over 280 million years ago and, today, it remains just as peaceful.
You can begin your hike in the village of Belstone where you can see Bronze Age remains and a cleverly repurposed phone booth. A short walk to the top of the hill will lead you straight onto a track to the famed Belstone Tour. Here, great open plains allow you to customise your own trek. According to Gala Bingo, some of the notable nearby spots worth visiting are the Cullever Steps, the Birchy Lake, the Great Green with its ponies, and the Nine Maidens Stone Circle.
Being a little over 3.1 miles, the whole trek should take you just over an hour. The hike is easy enough for most, but appropriate footwear is important. Their village hall also regularly posts updates online so you can plan your visit.
Fingle Bridge
Credit - Partonez under CC BY-SA 4.0 License.
Renowned as one of the most popular destinations in Devon, the Fingle Bridge has two major paths.
Visitors can opt for either the exciting but steep route or the more relaxed one where your dog can swim in the water. The former takes roughly 90 minutes to complete, while the latter will take around 2 hours. While there, you may even catch a glimpse of some of the area's wildlife. One Magazine's feature on the Drogo Weir walk highlights the leaping salmon that often spawn in the River Teign and the elusive fallow deer which are native to Europe.
Fingle Bridge is also near several establishments that will be more than happy to welcome your pup too. Most popular of these is the Fingle Bridge Inn which was originally built in 1897 as a refreshment centre. It serves a Sunday carvery every week.
With its diverse geography and pet accommodations, Devon is the doggie haven you have to see. While many things have changed since the events of last year, the invigorating effect of being out in nature with a four-legged friend remains the same. Fortunately, the UK has a plethora of great spots for staycation adventures with your pup.
