North Devon Coast National Landscape

North Devon Coast National Landscape, a dramatic stretch of coast, dunes and valleys, delivers exceptional natural-capital potential through marine, coastal and dune ecosystems, woodland and wetland habitats, and sustainable tourism value.

It offers a unique coastal living-lab for businesses seeking regenerative investment in nature, recreation, and climate-resilient land use.  

Open the drop-down box for a quick overview of the assets and opportunities in North Devon: 

Welcome to the North Devon Coast National Landscape

This National Landscape covers 171 km² (66 sq miles), designated as an AONB in 1959, now re-branded as a National Landscape as of November 2023. The area runs from the border with Exmoor National Park at Combe Martin, along the rugged coastline with crags, cliffs and sea stacks, down to the Taw–Torridge estuary mouth and includes dune systems, sand beaches, sheltered bays and ancient woodland coastal combes.  

At the heart lies the dune-system and sand-dune core of the internationally recognised North Devon Biosphere Reserve around Braunton Burrows, one of the UK’s most ecologically rich dune and coastal systems. This landscape supports amazing biodiversity: coastal heath, dune grasslands, rare coastal flora (e.g. orchids), marine and intertidal species, woodlands, wetlands, estuary and river habitats, birdlife, and traditional farmland and villages along narrow lanes built in historic local vernacular.  

The National Landscape partnership’s management plan guides sustainable development, habitat and coastline conservation, recreation and tourism management, woodland and dune habitat protection, and supports local communities and their livelihoods.  

For business and investment, North Devon Coast offers unique opportunities: dune and coastal habitat conservation, blue-carbon and coastal resilience schemes, sustainable tourism and recreation, regenerative agriculture, restoration of woodlands and wetlands, ecological connectivity, and nature-based solutions for climate adaptation and biodiversity. 

Natural capital assets and opportunities

Here are the key landscape character features found in North Devon that can form the base of exciting business project opportunities: 

• Coastal cliffs, dune and beach systems: coastal biodiversity, recreation and tourism, coastal defence and natural flood/dune-buffer services. 
• Dune and sand-ridge ecosystems (e.g. Braunton Burrows): unique biodiversity, carbon storage (peat & dune soils), rare species habitat, educational and heritage value. 
• Coastal woodland combes and estuary/river systems: woodland carbon storage, wetland habitats, biodiversity, water regulation, fish & bird habitat, floodplain and estuary resilience. 
• Marine and intertidal zones: marine biodiversity, fisheries, sustainable coastal resources, carbon sequestration, recreation. 
• Traditional farmland, hedged fields and rural settlements: food production, soil and cultural heritage, supporting local communities and rural economy.