River Otter

The River Otter winds through East Devon in a way that feels genuinely unspoilt, which is rare enough these days. Starting inland near Ottery St Mary and flowing south for about twenty miles before hitting the sea at Budleigh Salterton, it's less a dramatic gorge and more a proper working river - quiet, watchable, and genuinely lovely for a meander.

You can walk stretches of it without battling crowds. The lower reaches near Budleigh Salterton are the real draw - red sandstone cliffs frame the mouth, and at low tide the pebble beach opens up nicely. Birdwatchers do well here. The estuary attracts curlews, oystercatchers, and if you're lucky, herons hunting in the shallows. Families with younger kids will appreciate that it's accessible without being a slog, though the terrain's uneven enough to keep things interesting for walkers who want a bit more than a flat promenade.

If you're based at Ladram Bay or Haven Devon Cliffs, both within a couple of miles, the Otter makes for an easy morning out. You're not talking Jurassic Coast drama here - it won't blow your mind - but it's exactly the kind of thing that reminds you why people actually live in Devon rather than just visit. Spring and early summer are best when the water's clearer and the light's proper.

Free to walk, naturally. Allow a couple of hours if you're serious about it, less if you're just popping down from your holiday park. Worth a visit if you enjoy rivers more than you enjoy crowds.