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Places
to visit: Choose a place to visit from the list below for a brief
guide to the area.
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East
Devon Holiday Guide Out & About Here is our
guide to some of the best activities and places to visit, to help you make the
most of your stay. Enjoy!  | | •
The Norman Lockyer Observatory has many public open days throughout the year.
Ref: 11-05-0025SH |
Norman
Lockyer Observatory
Founded by Sir Norman Lockyer
in 1912, the observatory in Sidmouth, on Salcombe Hill, was the centre for astrophysical
and geophysical research until the 1980s. Today the observatory is managed and
run by volunteers in support of science education for the public, schools and
universities.
The society provides facilities for scientific projects,
educational courses, instructional visits by schools, and the recreational scientific
interests of visitors and members.
There are many public open days throughout
the year, with no need to book – full details are available in the 2005 brochure,
available from the TIC, library, museum and the observatory, and a visit is a
really eye-opening experience.
The observatory also accepts pre-booked
group bookings, and there is whole range of fascinating educational courses available,
from a Foundation Astronomy Course and a GCSE Tutorial Course to an introduction
to astronomy entitled The Universe About Us.
Among the fascinating historic
telescopes you will see are the Kensington 10-inch refracting telescope dated
1884, which marks the start of astrophysics research in Britain, and the Lockyer
six-inch refractor, built in 1863 and rebuilt in 1871, and marking the start of
solar physics research in the country. Jurassic
Coast
The East Devon and Dorset coast has been officially designated
as the first natural World Heritage site in England; its western gateway at Exmouth
leads to a 95-mile-long stretch of coastline, featuring fossil-rich cliffs, coves,
beaches, and wonderful countryside, with Swanage in Dorset standing at the eastern
end.
The announcement was made by UNESCO, the cultural arm of the United
Nations and, last October, HRH Prince Charles unveiled the striking geoneedle,
a specially created monument which marks to gateway to the Jurassic Coast at Orcombe
Point in Exmouth.
The accolade provides excellent prospects for tourism
and the economy in general, while also meaning that the whole coastline will be
preserved unspoiled for future generations to enjoy.
When you realise that
other famous natural World Heritage sites include sites such as America’s
Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef, this is indeed a great achievement.
The
whole coastline is spectacularly beautiful, but the main reason for it becoming
a World Heritage Site is its outstanding geology, which offers a near complete
record through 185 million years of Earth history.
The whole of this geological
story is accessible to all of us through the 95 miles of beautiful landscape which
makes up the site – parts of the coast are already world famous for their
fossils and, even after 300 years of collecting, discoveries new to science continue
to be made.
To involve everyone in this exciting achievement, there are
informative leaflets and books available, and many exhibitions and guided walks
will be organised. For more information, pop into your local TIC, or visit the
World Heritage website on www.jurassiccoast.com Sports
facilities
East Devon has an excellent choice of sports
and leisure facilities, many run by the district council, offering a complete
range of activities from swimming and tennis to squash and badminton. Many have
excellent gym facilities, plus holiday activities geared to both children and
adults. Up-to-date information can be obtained by phoning the numbers below, or
calling into your local TIC, who will also have details of pursuits such as bowls,
crazy golf, putting, tennis, fishing, horse riding and much more, including information
on privately run clubs and organisations.
Walking
East
Devon offers superb opportunities both for walking and cycling, and includes everything
from a peaceful leisurely stroll or cycle to long distance routes.
TICs
stock a wide range of leaflets to guide you on your way, giving details of routes
and distances, from the beautiful coastline to pretty villages, country paths,
and glorious woodland and countryside.
If you prefer to ‘get on your
bike’, plenty of leaflets are available for cyclists too. The Buzzard Route
takes you through 80 miles of wonderful countryside – you can travel as far
as you like and it is an ideal short break cycling holiday.
Also available
from the TICs is a whole range of leaflets on shorter cycle routes in the area,
plus a series on off-road routes for mountain bikers.
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