Aylesbeare Common

We're working hard to make our nature reserves safe and ready for our staff, visitors and wildlife. Many have now re-opened in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, although some facilities are not yet available. Some reserves remain closed for now. See our COVID-19 updates page for the latest information (link below).

Address: RSPB Aylesbeare Common, , Joney’s Cross car park. (This is off the A3052 opposite Aylesbeare Common entrance - SY 057897)

Grid ref: SY057898

See our reserves Covid-19 updates page for which sites are open and other important details.

Enjoy a walk over quiet heathland, where the woodland fringes, streams and ponds abound with butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. Don't miss the chance to see Dartford warblers and stonechats during the summer months. Or stay late into the evening to see nightjars hunting moths at dusk.

Plan your visit

Open at all times.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Facilities

Car park
Pushchair friendly
Guided walks
Viewing point
Nature trails

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

Exeter St Davids/Central is the nearest station, 8 miles (12 km) east on A3052.

By bus

Buses 9 and 9A, request stop at Joneys Cross.

By bike

Buzzard trail 52.

By road

Eight miles (12.8 km) east of Exeter. Six miles (9.5 km) east from the M5 on the A3052. Travel 0.5 mile (0.8 km) past the Halfway Inn, turn right towards Hawkerland and the car park is immediately on the left.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

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RSPB reserves on Google Earth

11 degrees, Sunny day

Contact Aylesbeare Common

RSPB Aylesbeare Common, , Joney’s Cross car park. (This is off the A3052 opposite Aylesbeare Common entrance - SY 057897)
aylesbeare.common@rspb.org.uk
01395 233655

What will you see?

Our star species

Dartford warbler

Visit in spring to watch the males perched on top of the gorse.

Nightjar

Linger until dusk to encounter this amazing bird between May and July.

Stonechat

Pairs remain together throughout the year and you can see family groups in summer.

Tree pipit

You could see the display flight of the male tree pipit.

Yellowhammer

In spring, listen out for the yellowhammer's song.

Spring brings an influx of warblers and vocal yellowhammers.

In summer, you can see Dartford warblers and nightjars, as well as some reptiles.

During autumn, the heather is in flower. Keep an eye out for hobbies hunting dragonflies.

In winter keep your eye out for snipes and winter thrushes.

About Aylesbeare Common

Habitat

Aylesbeare Common is made up of quiet heathland, with woodland fringes, streams and ponds abound with butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.

Conservation

We are working to maintain and enhance the heath for the benefit of birds such as Dartford warblers and nightjars, as well as other wildlife such as southern damselfly and silver studded blue. We manage the site using a range of specialist techniques to ensure a rich diversity of habitats across the heath, maintaining a balance of mixed aged heather and gorse, ensuring there is enough bare ground, managing invasive pine and bracken to keep the heathland open.

Site information

As a great place for wildlife, Aylesbeare Common is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Natura 2000 site.

It is managed with kind permission from Clinton Devon Estates and is part of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths. Visit Pebblebed Heaths for more information about all of its associated commons, including codes of access for cyclists, horse-riders and dog walkers.

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