One minute you’re plunged in the depths of winter, and then the clocks change, the evenings draw out and every hedge in Devon seems to clatter to the tune of a chiffchaff.
It’s a beautiful time of year indeed, but perhaps the most wonderful sight is the carpet of blue that bedecks the woods, valleys and meadows around Exeter as the bluebells emerge.
The team at Exeter's Real Food Store have pulled together their 5 favourite places to see these magical flowers - scroll down to see the full list.
The Exeter and District Ramblers have produced a collection of hand-picked trails to encourage Exeter residents to get outside and discover a new side to their city.
The collection has been published as a book called Walking Around Exeter, with contributions from different members of the group and tested for accuracy and clarity. The 16 routes in the collection range from 2.5 to 7 miles in length, and are suitable for all ages and abilities.
Les Bright, a member of Exeter Ramblers who has overseen the project, said: “Many people have rediscovered the joy of walking...
A number of measures to support walking and cycling have been introduced or proposed as part of the second phase of Emergency Active Travel Funding projects.
Devon was awarded almost £1.3 million from the Department for Transport to provide safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists following the reduction of public transport capacity due to social distancing requirements during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
A new pedestrian and cycle crossing has been installed at Countess Wear roundabout, and a new crossing has also been completed at Russell Way to extend the E9...
Summer Lane in Exeter has re-opened to through traffic (Wednesday 20 January) as the finishing touches are applied to the new pedestrian and cycle bridge.
The bridge will open to pedestrians and cyclists next month, once the installation of handrails and guardrails has been completed.
The new 18-metre span structure will link the first two kilometres of Devon County Council’s E4 cycle route. This section of the cycle route links seamlessly with the high-quality segregated cycle route already completed along Cumberland Way, Pinhoe Road and Exhibition Way, providing a...
Devon’s walking and cycle trails have seen increased use this year and with routes continuing to be busy during the current lockdown, the County Council is encouraging everyone to give each other plenty of space.
Compared with last year, the number of cycle trips recorded in 2020 has increased by 153% on the Exe Estuary Trail between Exmouth and Lympstone, 63% at Dawlish Warren, 36% at Meldon Viaduct, 53% on the rural sections of the Tarka Trail and 43% at Fremington Quay near Barnstaple.
The County Council is reminding everyone of its “Share this Space” campaign and is...
Increasing numbers of people have turned to walking for exercise, escapism, stress-busting and enjoyment during the COVID-19 ‘lockdown’. So, Devon Ramblers are helping to support walkers old and new across the county to carry on enjoying walking, safely and responsibly, and make it a permanent habit as restrictions are slowly eased.
Joining the Ramblers, Great Britain’s largest walking community, gives walk lovers access to all-year-round support, advice and inspiration – online, via social media, and through a quarterly magazine. This is great news for the 74% of Britons who said...
A series of temporary measures to support social distancing for walkers and cyclists is being explored by Devon County Council.
It follows the Government’s announcement of a £250 million emergency active travel fund – as the first stage of a £2 billion national investment in walking and cycling.
Although Devon County Council is still awaiting details of the funding, it is actively pursuing a number of possible changes to the local road network to help improve walking and cycling routes.
In considering its proposals, the focus has been on key travel to work...
# roamsweethome connects everyone who loves walking and the outdoors
With the COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ now extended for another three weeks, staying active is more important than ever, for both mental and physical health. A multi-faceted campaign by the Ramblers, called #roamsweethome, is encouraging everyone to keep active safely for leisure, health and happiness close to home and at home – whatever they can safely do – as well as inspiring and connecting everyone who loves walking and the outdoors.
The Ramblers – the charity which helps everyone, everywhere, enjoy walking and...
Walking and cycling schemes in Devon have received a half-million pound boost, thanks to a funding announcement today (Friday 7 February).
The £500,000 grant from the Department for Transport will extend Devon County Council’s Access Fund Programme for a fourth year.
The programme aims to increase the proportion of walking and cycling trips to workplaces, schools or colleges in Exeter, Barnstaple and Newton Abbot. Along with additional initiatives, such as Carshardevon.com and cycle confidence training, the programme has so far saved an estimated 2,500 tonnes of carbon...
If you are hoping to become more active in 2020, while enjoying some friendly competition at the same time, you can team up with work colleagues and enter a Devon wide walking challenge.
This February’s ‘Let’s Walk’ challenge will encourage employees to get out of the office and raise heart rates a little. If becoming healthier isn’t incentive enough, there are also prizes on offer for those workplaces leading the way in striding out across the county. Individuals can sign up alongside work colleagues and start ‘collecting’ steps! Those who achieve the highest average numbers will...
