Extraordinary, secret spots in the wilds of Devon.

From tidal swimming pools to ancient forests, sacred sites and shipwrecks, Devon is home to a treasure trove of extraordinary, secret spots. Daniel Start, author of the new Wild Guide Devon, selects his favourite places away from the beaten path

Devon is a place shaped by sea, moor and deep-rooted history. Beyond its famous beaches and busy towns lies a landscape of extraordinary, secluded beauty; a rugged coastline of secret coves, wooded river valleys and the vast open spaces of Dartmoor rising at its heart, crossed by clear streams and watched over by ancient stones and granite tors.

Wild Guide Devon & Dartmoor celebrates those hidden places that lie just off the beaten path, inviting joyful exploration and simple pleasures.

Here Daniel shares some of the guide’s most enchanting discoveries: lost ruins overgrown by scrub and wildflowers; secret coves and hidden shipwrecks; flower-rich meadows alive with butterflies; Dartmoor rock stacks to scramble over; sunset viewpoints to pause and watch the sky fill with stars. These are just a taste of Devon’s hidden adventures all waiting to be experienced this summer.

Piles Copse. (Image: Wild Things Publishing)

RIVER SWIM

Piles Copse, Cornwood

In the beautiful Erme Valley on Dartmoor, Piles Copse is an enchanting remnant of ancient oak woodland, rich with atmosphere and natural beauty. A clear stream winds through the trees, forming pools and small waterfalls deep enough for a refreshing dip. Once popular with wild campers, the area is now protected, so visitors are asked not to camp or picnic. In spring, bluebells carpet the valley, adding to its charm. Adventurous walkers can continue towards Leftmire Lake and Red Lake along old tramways, where remote quarry pools and sweeping views across South Devon to the sea await.

Woody Bay (Image: Wild Things Publishing)

A TIDAL POOL

Woody Bay, Martinhoe

Woody Bay is home to one of the area’s most magical tidal pools. Reached by a two-mile walk through a wooded valley, an old cobbled track leads down past a historic lime kiln and a secluded bathing pool carved into the rocks. At low tide, more secrets are revealed, including the remains of a quay from an ambitious but ill-fated Victorian resort scheme. Once envisioned with a pier and cliff railway, the project was abandoned after storm damage and financial ruin. Today, its rock-cut pools and rugged beauty offer a peaceful, atmospheric escape and a delightful place to swim.

Merrivale (Image: Wild Things Publishing)

A SACRED SITE

Merrivale Stone Row, Dartmoor

This wonderful Stone Row on Dartmoor is one of the most impressive and accessible prehistoric sites in Devon, offering a powerful glimpse into the Bronze Age landscape. The complex includes three stone rows, two double and one single, alongside a stone circle, standing stones, cairns and burial cists, all dating back over 3,000 years. Set on open moorland with wide, atmospheric views, it reflects a time when Dartmoor was a more ritualised landscape. Though its exact purpose remains a mystery, the alignment of stones suggests ceremonial significance.

Great Mis Tor (Image: Wild Things Publishing)

SCRAMBLE OVER ROCKS

Great Mis and Staple tors, Dartmoor

Dartmoor is rich in tors, offering endless opportunities for climbing, bouldering and scrambling. The striking stacks and scattered boulders of Great Mis and Staple Tor create a natural playground, ideal for both beginners and more confident climbers. Most routes are straightforward Grade 1 scrambles, where hands are needed but ropes are not, making them accessible yet exciting. The elevated setting provides sweeping views across moorland and distant horizons, especially beautiful at sunset. As always, take care on exposed sections and remember that descending can be trickier than climbing up.

LOST RUINS

Brownstone Battery, Dartmouth

Brownstone Battery on the South Devon coast, is one of the best places to explore a haunting ruin. This rare Second World War coastal defence complex includes gun emplacements, ammunition stores and the remains of an incline railway, all set dramatically on the cliffs. Reached by a mile-long walk past the stark Daymark Beacon, the site combines sweeping sea views with a powerful sense of history. Now softened by scrub and wildflowers, and alive with butterflies and birds, it offers a striking contrast between nature and industry – an evocative place to wander and imagine its wartime past.

Aylesbeare Common (Image: Wild Things Publishing)

MEADOW WANDER

Aylesbeare & Harpford Commons, Newton Poppleford

Wildflower meadows are among the greatest delights of summer, and Devon boasts some of the country’s finest. Aylesbeare and Harpford Commons, part of the nationally important East Devon Pebblebed Heaths, combine heathland, grassland and woodland rich in biodiversity. In summer, their flower-filled pastures and diverse grasslands burst with colour, drawing butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. Linger here into the evening and you may well hear nightjars fill the air with their distinctive ‘churring,’ adding to the sense of wilderness.

Hembury Wood. (Image: Wild Things Publishing)

AN ANCIENT FOREST

Hembury Wood, Dartmoor

Hembury Woods, perched above a secret stretch of the River Dart, is one of Devon’s finest ancient forests. Steep-sided combes and oak-lined valleys preserve remnants of the once-vast forests that cloaked Dartmoor’s fringes, with venerable oaks and centuries-old yews. The woods bloom with wildflowers in spring, including bluebells, primroses, wood anemones and daffodils, while meadows and rides support orchids, butterflies and glow-worms in early summer. Above the river, a prehistoric hillfort hints at Neolithic, Iron Age and Viking settlers, making Hembury Woods a place where natural beauty and deep history intertwine, perfect for rambling, climbing trees or simply lingering and listening to birdsong.

South Coaster Wreck. (Image: Wild Things Publishing)

EXPLORE A SHIPWRECK

South Coaster Wreck, Cockwood Harbour

The South Coaster wreck near Cockwood Harbour is the remains of a Cardiff steamer that ran aground on a notorious sandbank in December 1943 while carrying coal to Exmouth. Despite attempts to refloat it, the ship was abandoned and now sits partly submerged, accessible at low tide. Visitors can swim or wade inside, though caution is needed due to sharp edges and strong tidal currents when the tide is flowing. Nearby, large sand lagoons offer excellent swimming, or you can explore up to the back of Dawlish Warren on a SUP. Access is via the traditional Anchor Inn, a perfect stop for a post-adventure ale.

SLOW,, LOCAL FOOD

The Farmer’s Arms, Woolsery

Set on a 150-acre regenerative farm, The Farmer’s Arms serves seasonal, ethically sourced dishes featuring rare-breed meats and biodynamic vegetables. The owners have revitalised the village, also running the shop, post office, chippie and manor house, soon to become a hotel. Devon’s fertile landscape provides rich dairy, orchard fruits, garden vegetables and fresh seafood, all reflected in the pub’s menus. With a focus on sustainability, biodiversity and community, The Farmers Arms offers a true farm-to-table experience, celebrating the county’s agricultural heritage and local culinary excellence.

Halsdon Wood. (Image: Wild Things Publishing)

WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS

Halsdon Wood, Dolton

Halsdon Woods, a Devon Wildlife Trust reserve in a picturesque valley of deciduous woodland and pasture, is ideal for wildlife spotting. Riverside walks along the Torridge River pass historic mine ruins, adding a sense of heritage to your visit. Dawn and dusk are prime times to glimpse shy resident otters and hear the haunting call of tawny owls. During the day, kingfishers flash along the river, dippers bob over fast-flowing streams and sand martins swoop above. Dragonflies and other invertebrates add movement and colour, making Halsdon Woods a vibrant haven for wildlife enthusiasts in the heart of Tarka country.

And... just over the border

Stanbury Mouth (Image: Wild Things Publishing)

A HIDDEN COVE

Stanbury Mouth, Morwenstow

The coast straddling North Devon and North Cornwall is rugged and dramatic. Stanbury Mouth is a wonderfully wild, remote and rocky beach that reveals fine sands at low tide. Set along this spectacular coastline, it feels like a secret cove, rarely visited and atmospheric. Reaching it is part of the adventure, with a rough, sometimes steep path that may involve scrambling, so care is essential. Visitors should check tide times closely, as the beach changes dramatically with the sea. At very low tide, remnants of the cargo ship Caledonia, wrecked in 1842 during a fearsome storm, can still sometimes be glimpsed, adding a haunting touch of maritime history.

Hawker's Hut. (Image: Wild Things Publishing)

A SUMMER SUNSET

Hawker’s Hut, Morwenstow

This tiny hut is one of the most atmospheric places along the coast to watch the sunset. Hawker’s Hut, perched high on the cliffs at Henn Cliff near Morwenstow, was built from shipwrecked timber by the eccentric parson-poet Robert Hawker. From this quirky lookout, sweeping views stretch across the rugged coastline as the sun sinks into the western sea. Reached by a short walk from Morwenstow church, it blends history, folklore and dramatic scenery. Few places capture the wild romance of this coastline so perfectly, making it an unforgettable spot to end the day. .

Wild Guide: Devon and Dartmoor by Daniel Start and Tania Pascoe includes 350 wild swims, secret coves, sea caves, viewpoints, lost ruins, ancient forests and meadows plus organic or rustic places to eat or sleep. From Wild Things Publishing. Readers can receive 20 per cent off and free P&P with coupon code Wild26 at wildthingspublishing.com