What to see in July!

This is without doubt the best month for exploring the Jurassic Coast.

Take a walk from Salcombe Regis to Weston Mouth and back. I would argue that this is one of the best and most beautiful walks in Devon but very few people ever go there. Start at the village of Salcombe Regis and walk up the Eastern side of the valley to the cliff top. Continue along the coast path and descend to the beach at Weston Mouth and then return back to the stairs that take you back to Salcombe Regis. This walk is just magical and you can find hundreds of species of flowers in a single day. The rock pools absolutely abound with life and you can find lots of rare species that are hard to find elsewhere. These include weird and wonderful creatures such as the tiny Squat Lobster, Long and Short Clawed Porcelain Crabs and the very beautiful Snakes Locks Anemone. Look at your tide table before making this walk and make sure that you avoid the beach part of this walk at high tide. If the tide is wrong then just reverse the walk, simple!

July is a fantastic month for exploring the countryside and it is this month when the flowers and butterflies are at their best.

The East Devon Commons are fantastic at this time and although there are many places to explore there Aylesbeare and Harpford Commons are in my opinion best. You stand a good chance of finding one of Britain's rarest and smallest breeding birds, the beautiful Dartford Warbler. Stone Chats are also wonderful heathland birds which are much easier to see as they scold you from the top of the heather or gorse with a call that sounds like two pebbles knocking together.

If you come here at sunset you can hear and watch the eerie, ghostly Nightjar, a truly memorable experience.

The under-cliff at Branscombe is another fantastic walk. Set out from the car park and go through the under-cliff and beneath the chalk stacks. You find yourself walking through the most beautiful, almost magical woodlands, full of flowers, insects and birds, with the towering limestone cliff as a backdrop. At the end of the under-cliff there is a steep climb up the steps to the top. Here you can continue on to Beer or return to Branscombe. So few people do this walk and that is a shame. The wild flowers here are truly remarkable.

Try exploring the upper Exe Valley between Winsford and Exford. Again this area is so very beautiful but empty and you may not see another person on the whole walk but the wildlife is remarkable. This is one of the best places in England for Red Deer.

The upper valleys of the Otter and Axe are also very special and this is the best time to explore them. Try the lakes at Otter Head, you will love it!

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN JULY

* This month is the best for flowers and insects such as Butterflies and Dragonflies.

* In Dorset, Chesil Beach and the Fleet together with Durlston Country Park make a great weekend out.

* Dawlish Warren comes alive during this month with many birds nesting, the wild flowers are spectacular while butterflies and dragonflies abound.

* Take a cruise along the Jurassic Coast

* Explore our fantastic river valleys.

Rod Lawrence