Trinity Hill Nature Reserve in East Devon
Trinity Hill Nature Reserve is one of my favourite places to walk. Less well known than some other nearby beauty spots, on the recent occasions I have been, it has been peaceful and calm. With stunning views over East Devon.
Trinity Hill holds a special place in my heart as I was lucky enough to go to a primary school there, tucked away behind the nature reserve (sadly long since converted into apartments). We would go out for walks and explore the surrounding area, parts of which despite the years I still recognise! Some areas are private but for walking the land includes this East Devon Nature Reserve and a large area of Forestry Commission woodland.
I have to admit that I am no great nature expert – I love the changing seasons, colours of the trees, spring flowers, heather and insects and I absolutely love to photograph it all. But when it comes to identifying individual species I need help!
Luckily the countryside team hold excellent events all around our local nature reserves for people like me. For those of you who know what to look out for on your own, then this nature reserve supports all sorts of lovely heath land birds including nightjars, moths and lizards.
I’m also excited to read that it is an official Dark Skies Discovery Site with, I quote from their web site “open skies with relatively unobstructed horizon. Particularly clear to south and east” so I will make the effort to take stroll one evening in the dark on a clear night – I do love the stars.
Trinity Hill is popular with dog walkers
Our walk on this occasion was memorable for two reasons. Firstly a chance for our puppy to explore a new place. How cute is she!
It’s taking a bit of adjusting to having another body to look after – she’s very much our third child at the moment! We are all totally in love with her already and I am very excited to have a proper reason to go for a walk, albeit a short one at the moment.
A short walk on Trinity Hill
Trinity Hill is ideal for anyone who doesn’t to want to walk too far, because due to the layout of the site you can easily choose a walk to suit your needs in terms of distance. The ground is fairly bumpy and lumpy and can be muddy in the winter, so you need to be steady on your feet or using a decent off road buggy for little ones.
Animals are used to manage the heath nature reserve. On one occasion it was a chance to see up close the beautiful Exmoor ponies that had been brought in. However in recent years cattle have been grazing there instead. They are not always fenced off from the paths so be careful with your dogs.
A stunning view looking across the Axe Valley from the Trinity Hill Nature Reserve in East Devon. You can see Stockland Hill mast on the horizon
How Far is the Walk at Trinity Hill?
The Trinity Hill Nature Reserve is an open heathland managed by East Devon District Council and is split in half by the road. Cross the road to see the views across the Axe Valley. On its own it is not actually not that large, about 1/2 mile square. However the paths crisscross over the reserve and around the outside so you can walk quite a way if you want to.
If you are feeling energetic the walk can be easily extended as one path heads off into the Forestry Commission. This part is more wooded – a mix of deciduous and conifers. In places there are wide gravel tracks but also numerous paths through the woods. It takes a lot more exploring and you will need your sense of direction. There is a map in the carpark showing the paths so you can get your bearings but you may need and Ordnance Survey map as well if you want to go further.
Here’s a short video to give you an idea of the terrain and to see the ponies.
How to Get to Trinity Hill Nature Reserve
Trinity Hill Local Nature Reserve is approximately two miles from Axminster. Take the A35 from Axminster towards Lyme Regis and take the turning right at Raymond’s Hill to Combpyne & Rousdon (where the 40 zone starts) onto Trinity Hill Road (follow the brown tourist sign for River Cottage). If you reach the Hunters Lodge Pub you’ve gone too far.
From the Charmouth direction on the A35 take the second turning after the Hunters Lodge Pub. The free car park is on your left after about 3/4 mile. The site has no postal address; nearest postcode is EX13 5SS.
If you are looking for refreshments after your walk the nearest options are the Hunters Lodge Pub back on the A35, River Cottage Cafe at Park Farm is also close by for a coffee or lunch just a little further along this road.
Diamonds Tearoom is on Cooks Lane – all have free parking. Alternatively head into Lyme Regis or Axminster for other choices.
The original intention of this blog is to share special places in the area with locals and visitors. I think this fits that goal.
If you enjoy reading my blog posts then please do think about sharing them, telling your friends, family or visitors. I hope that it will continue to be a useful resource for people.
For more walks like this in East Devon you could try Fire Beacon Hill or Lambert’s Castle in West Dorset.
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Thank you – Clare
Hi! I am Clare and I live in glorious East Devon with my family.
Join me in finding new places to explore in the West Country as well as further afield.
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You know what… this is another place that’s new to me, so thank you for writing about it. I’ll be putting it on our ‘to visit’ list 🙂
This was a lovely read. Thank you, I shall take a walk here with the dog.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It certainly sounds like an amazing area to explore! Devon is such a beautiful part of England, and is host to some spectacular natural scenery. It always makes for a great destination to go for a family vacation. Trinity Hill Nature Reserve looks like another destination to add to the list.
Aww how adorable is she 🙂 This looks like a lovely place for a walk. I love living down here, there’s just so much to see and do
What a picturesque walk to have discovered! There’s so many beautiful natural reserves to be found in and around Devon – and it’s great making the most of them in any season.
Thank you Jane, the views really are wonderful from here across the Axe Valley.
This looks like such a beautiful place – and it is only up the road from me! I must pay it a visit 🙂 Good luck with the competition.
Thank you – it’s a lovely place to walk.
Looks lovely. Do you think a cross country mobility scooter would manage it? No very loose gravel, no very steep bits, no kissing gates or styles, etc…
I think it would be OK in the summer but maybe a bit wet in the winter.