East Devon
Much of East Devon's coast and countryside is classed as an
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The county town is Exeter. Also, some of Britain's most
fertile grassland lies in East Devon, which is why much of Devon's famous
cream is produced from cattle grazing by the River Axe meadows. The
Rivers Otter and Sid are popular fishing spots.
The resorts along the coast of East Devon are for holiday makers searching for
the somewhat quieter pleasures that being by the sea can provide.
East Devon also has an association with famous men of history, including Sir
Walter Raleigh who was born near East Budleigh; the first Duke of
Marlborough, born near Axminster and ancestor of Sir Winston
Churchill. Also the Drake family who owned land in the region.
The World Heritage Triassic Coast
Many of the cliffs in the western part of East Devon are red, due to the presence
of iron. In contrast, further east towards Beer these change to sandstone and
white chalk. East Devon's coastline dates back to the Triassic period. As the rocks
gently tilt downwards to the east, the oldest cliffs are near Exmouth at
Orcombe Rocks and are about 240 million years old. The youngest are
east of Seaton at about 200 million years old. During this Triassic
period vast deserts covered the area and giant sea reptiles ruled supreme.
Devon wasn't where it is now,
but instead close to the equator and enjoying Bahama style tropical weather. Tropical sea flooding of the
land and land mass shifts pushed Devon to
where it is today. The Ice Age followed with huge glaziers forming to
gouge out valleys and reshape the land profile, including East Devon's
cliffs, though they weren't by the sea...yet. During the ultimate
thaw around 10 thousand years ago, sea levels rose and flooded the low lying land, thus forming the North
Sea and English Channel. Britain was suddenly cut off from mainland
Europe, trapping animals and humans on our island.
Useful websites for East Devon
Official tourist information site for East Devon...www.heart-of-devon.com
East Devon District Council...www.eastdevon.gov.uk
Devon County Council...www.devon.gov.uk
