Plan your visit
Pebblebed Heaths
Get the most out of your time on the Pebblebed Heaths NNR. Whether you live locally or are visiting for the first time, everyone has a part to play in conserving this amazing site for wildlife and people.
Need to know
There are 11 car parks across the heaths. Some are small and can fill at busy times; if the area you first visit is full, please head to another nearby car park and avoid parking on verges or blocking gateways.
All car parks include clear entrance signage, reserve information boards and dog waste bins, with many offering bike racks. Most have a 2.2 m height restriction. All car parks have a tarmac access splays and gravel or pebble parking areas, with unpaved paths leading onto the Heaths. In some locations you may need to pass through gates to access the heaths. Gates are at least 1.5 m wide with longhandled latches to make access easy for everyone.
Car parks are open 24/7 unless essential maintenance or safety needs require temporary closure. We will provide advance notice on display boards and social media whenever possible. Vehicles are left overnight at your own risk, and overnight occupation of vehicles is not permitted. Uphams car park is generally used for management operations, military training, private events and educational visits rather than public parking.
Our car parking areas are listed below and specific access information for each parking area can be found on the Pebblebed Heaths Map.
- Uphams What3Words: Paying.Opposites.Thirsty
- Joney’s Cross What3Words: Taller.Rewriting.Tracks
- The Warren What3Words: Realm.Sonic.Sway
- Woodbury Castle What3Words: Turkey.Utensil.Pass
- Estuary View What3Words: Shuffle.Chestnuts.Colder
- Four Firs What3Words: Vaulting.Sandpaper.Restored
- Model Airfield What3Words: Coping.Plants.Enjoyable
- Wheathill What3Words: Dragonfly.Official.Skimmers
- Frying Pans What3Words: Over.Impulses.Outhouse
- Squabmoor What3Words: Icebergs.Spooned.Flaked
- Mutter’s Moor What3Words: Paying.Opposites.Thirsty
Contributions collected through RingGo help us look after the Pebblebed Heaths so they remain welcoming, accessible and wildliferich throughout the year. When you choose to pay for your parking, you’re directly supporting the daytoday work that keeps paths safe, maintains car parks, cares for livestock infrastructure, and protects the habitats that make the Heaths such a special place to explore.
Using RingGo is quick and easy and has become part of how many of our regular visitors help care for the landscape they enjoy. Every contribution, large or small, plays a role in sustaining the reserve for the future.
If you visit often and prefer to support the Heaths in another way, you can also choose to set up a monthly or annual gift instead.
Regular donations provide the steady, dependable funding that allows our team to plan ahead with confidence and respond quickly to conservation needs as they arise — another meaningful way to help the heaths thrive. [Button or link to: pebblebedheathsconservationtrust.beaconforms.com/form/37628a21]
Please note contributions are voluntary and there is no penalty for choosing not to participate.
For any questions, please see FAQs.
There are no toilets on the heaths themselves. Public toilets are in the villages of Woodbury and East Budleigh and both villages — along with nearby communities — offer cafés, pubs and restaurants.
Military training takes place across the heaths year round. The Royal Marines can regularly be seen carrying out training exercises in this area which is home to their endurance course. Please be aware that training can include rifle firing of blank ammunition, which, although safe. can be noisy. The MoD ‘Woodbury Common Grenade Range’ is located in the center of the heaths and the area around it subject to specific bylaws. When in use, red flags mark the area where public access is not permitted and loud bangs should be expected.
The grenade range firing dates are made publicly available 1 month in advance and can be accessed here Straight Point Ranges and Woodbury Common Grenade Range firing times – GOV.UK
Under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act, the public have full and free access to all areas of the Pebblebed Heaths by foot. Clinton Devon Estates also applied to Devon County Council to give general permission for horse riders and cyclists to use the heaths, so long as the user acts in accordance with the CROW Act legislation. As a result, horse riding and cycling by individuals is permitted. The Act excludes horse-riding, cycling, vehicles, organised games or any activity for commercial gain.
For full details of what is and is not permitted on the Pebblebed Heaths and the legislation that protects the heaths, please click here.
Seasonal highlights
Sweeping coastal views to the south-east
Far reaching views from the viewpoint at Estuary View, following the easy access path from the car park
Woodbury castle Iron Age hillfort with impressive ramparts and cool shade under the beech trees in the summer and golden glow in the autumn
Sounds of willow warblers and skylark in the spring as they start to nest
Nightjar summer evening, butterflies and dragonflies summers day
Dartmoor ponies grazing or resting in the shade of the pine trees
Coconut-aroma of gorse and the honey-sweet smell of heather in the summer
Dartford warblers flying low over the gorse, their scratchy call heard on sunny days all year round
The familiar crunch of ancient quartzite pebbles underfoot
Dog walking
Dogs are welcome, and we ask all visitors to follow the Pebblebed Dog Code to help protect wildlife, livestock, other visitors and the special character of the heaths. Dog waste bins are available at all car parks.
Read more
Livestock graze some areas in summer — these are marked clearly on gates. Please keep dogs on leads around cattle and ponies; if you feel threatened, release the lead for your safety.
If you have a nervous dog, please be mindful of military training as this can involve sudden noise or unexpected movements. If your dog is easily spooked, you may wish to keep them on a lead to avoid them bolting.
Local dog owners can join the free Devon Loves Dogs scheme, which offers guided walks – on the heaths and beyond – and local advice. Membership is a great way to learn new walking routes and socialise your dog.
Commercial dog walkers using the Pebblebed Heaths must hold a licence. You can read more here.
Cycling
The Pebblebed Heaths support an amazing array of short and longer trails for mountain bikers to explore. Responsible cycling helps protect the trails for the future, so please follow the Pebblebed Bike Code and encourage others to do the same.
Read more
Specific permission has been granted by Clinton Devon Estates for cyclists to use the track network across the heaths, so long as the user acts in accordance with the Countryside Right of Way Act (CROW). This means responsible cycling by individuals is welcome on all the heath tracks and is not restricted to just the legal bridleways.
By following the Pebblebed Bike Code and encouraging others to do the same, you can be sure that you are enjoying this special landscape in a way that respects other visitors, landowners, animals and wildlife. Some of the trails are sensitive to damage and erosion. Following the code will help keep them in good condition and for everyone to enjoy them far into the future.
Horse riding
The heaths’ extensive track network makes it an inspiring place to explore on horseback. Responsible riding is welcomed on all tracks under the same CROW permissions that enable cycling.
Read more
Responsible riding helps protect the trails for the future, so please follow the Pebblebed Bike Code and encourage others to do the same.
Specific permission has been granted by Clinton Devon Estates for horse riders to use the track network across the heaths, so long as the user acts in accordance with the Countryside Right of Way Act (CROW). This means responsible horse riding by individuals is welcome on all the heath tracks and is not restricted to just the legal bridleways.
Please follow the Pebblebed Horse Code to help keep both paths and wildlife safe.
If travelling with a horse box, Wheathill car park is our recommended location.
Nearby Budleigh Salterton Riding School offers guided hacks across the Heaths for riders without their own horse.
During your visit, please follow the Pebblebed Horse Code. By following the Pebblebed Horse Code and encouraging others to do the same, you can be sure that you are enjoying this special landscape in a way that respects other visitors, landowners, animals and wildlife. Some of the trails are sensitive to damage and erosion, following the code will help keep them in good condition for all to use and enjoy far into the future.
If travelling to the heaths in a horse box, our recommended car park for large vehicles is Wheathill car park.
If you would like to try horse riding on the heath but do not have your own horse, Budleigh Salterton Riding School is located nearby and arranges hacks across the heath
Tips for a great visit
Expect the unexpected
You may encounter conservation work, livestock, dog walkers, cyclists, horse riders, forestry work, school groups or military training. Be aware of what is ahead of you and be prepared to adjust – doing so keeps everyone safe while they share the space.
Be kind and say hi
You may encounter conservation work, livestock, dog walkers, cyclists, horse riders, forestry work, school groups or military training. Be aware of what is ahead of you and be prepared to adjust – doing so keeps everyone safe while they share the space.
Do not disturb
Respect wildlife and the environment. Please don’t remove or disturb plants or animals. Do not pet or feed grazing cattle or ponies.
Stay on track
Paths help protect fragile heathland habitats and keep you safe, too.
Leave no trace
Take all litter home and bag and bin dog waste. Wild camping and fires are not permitted on the Pebblebed Heaths at any time.
Know before you go
Take note of your car park and check noticeboards for important information.
No drones or metal detecting
Both are prohibited on the Heaths. East Devon Radio Control Club have a licence to operate at the Model Airfield. If you wish to fly model aircraft, please should contact the club directly to arrange membership.
Keep clear of the grenade range
Red flags mark areas closed during MOD training
Pebblebed Heaths nature
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Organising an event?
We hope that all visitors enjoy their time exploring the rich and varied habitat of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths!
If you would like to organise an event or use the heaths for your business, please be aware that permission and insurance is required. You can find more info here:
Interactive map
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