| South Devon | |
|---|---|
| Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty | |
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Slapton Sands in the South Devon AONB
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| Country | England |
| County | Devon |
| Location | south-west England |
| Animal | Cirl Bunting, Greater Horseshoe Bat |
| Founded | 1960 |
The South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) covers 337 square kilometres, including much of the South Hams area of Devon and the rugged coastline from Jennycliff to Elberry Cove near Brixham. The purpose of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is to preserve and enhance the beauty of certain areas of countryside. South Devon AONB was established in 1960.
Towns and villages within the area include Bigbury/Burgh Island, Kingsbridge, Newton Ferrers, Salcombe on the Kingsbridge Estuary, Slapton, Wembury, and Dartmouth and Kingswear on either side of the River Dart Estuary.
The AONB also includes several Sites of Special Scientific Interest, including two National Nature Reserves and three Special Areas of Conservation. It contains nationally important populations of greater horseshoe bat, cirl bunting, shore dock and great green bush cricket.
The AONB also includes a section of the South West Coast Path, 10 kilometres of cliffs at Bolt Head, Bolberry Down which is one of the longest stretches of coast belonging to the National Trust and Prawle Point, the southernmost point in Devon.