Exeter Valley Parks
Location
Know before you go
Entry fee
FreeAccess
All Valley Parks are open 24 hours seven days a week. See each Valley Park description for specific access details.
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Always openBest time to visit
AlwaysAbout the reserve
The Valley Parks offer ample opportunities to experience wildlife and natural, open spaces. There are six Valley Parks framing the city which are now looked after for people and nature by Devon Wildlife Trust, following their transfer from Exeter City Council to DWT in May 2019. They are:
- Ludwell Valley Park
- Riverside Valley Park
- Mincinglake Valley Park
- Barley Valley Park
- Duryard and Belvidere Valley Park
- Whitycombe Valley Park
Exeter Valley Parks are managed by Devon Wildlife Trust for Exeter City Council.
Northbrook Approach – a chance to share your views on this special place
Northbrook Approach is an important greenspace which connects Ludwell and Riverside Valley Parks. The former golf-course is a crucial corridor for wildlife and for people, following the Northbrook stream and the Green Circle walk.
Exeter City Council (which owns and manages the site) and DWT are now jointly consulting on the future of this greenspace. We have set out a vision for a ‘wild arboretum’ and community space. For more information and to take part in this consultation click here before the end of April.
Contact us
Exeter Wild City
Exeter is proud to be a wild city!
Exeter’s Valley Parks offer a variety of walks for everyone, with some short and comfortable circular walks in easy reach of a car park. You will find benches and picnic areas along the way, as well as dog bins. There are more challenging and hilly routes for some, as well as cycling routes for exploring greater distances.
Please help us care for these special places and their wildlife. Please be aware that livestock may be grazing between April and October.
Ludwell Valley Park
Breathtaking views of the city
The parks offer some breathtaking views across the city, into the valley and towards the estuary. A rich diversity of habitats and wildlife are there to discover, including wildflower meadows alive with bee-orchids and field pansies, woodlands and stunning cherry orchards, stream side walks where dippers can be seen, and river views for spotting egrets and cormorants.
Devon Wildlife Trust is working to make these green spaces more accessible to more people around the city, to enjoy peace and tranquillity, leisure and play, social stimulation, and active learning. We want to involve as many people as possible, so look out for news of opportunities and events on our main website and on social media.
Thinking of running an event?
You'll need to complete an application form and provide Public Liability Insurance and a Risk Assessment.
For more information email:
valleyparks@devonwildlifetrust.org
Download the form below:
Become a member and support our work
The vital work we do for nature depends on the support of people who care about the future of Devon’s wildlife and wild places.
Riverside Valley Park Exeter
Photo, Richard Burkmar
Mammal walk at Ludwell Valley Park
Harry Barton at Ludwell Valley Park
Photo, Matt Austin
Mincinglake Valley Park. Photo, Matt Austin