Canonteign Falls
aka Lady Exmouth Falls and Clampitt
Waterfalls
Canonteign, Devon
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Location Guide |
This is one of the waterfalls that
claims to be England's tallest falls, dropping 220ft down the Devon
hillside into the lakes beyond feeding into the River Teign.
The Falls were created in 1880, when Susan the
3rd Lady Exmouth, to keep the redundant silver miners in Devon employed,
used them to divert the water over the high outcrop of rocks as a part of starting the landscaping of the estate. The existing waterfall this was
diverted from still also exists. Lower down you can still see some remains
of other uses of the water for providing power and feeding water elsewhere.
To see the falls you climb the Victorian steps
upwards through a 'Secret Garden' and 'Fern Garden' to reach the top of Lady
Exmouth Falls and Buzzard’s View, offering a view across South Devon
and Dartmoor. The path down takes you through ancient woodland, and provides
a great opportunity to view the original Clampitt Waterfalls and secret
garden waterfall as they plunge and drop into the valley, while taking in
some of the native wildlife that lives alongside. Taking the path alongside
Lily Lake leading to the wetlands and lakes, gives you the opportunity to
visit wildlife in its natural habitat and spot kingfishers, bats,
butterflies, wildfowl and otter.
In the early 1990s the current Lord Exmouth
constructed a further four lakes and here, particularly in spring and early
summer, carpets of yellow buttercups and orchids adorn the grassland.
The woodland is a haven for wildlife and
wildflowers. In spring and early summer you will see an abundance of
primroses, bluebells, wood anemones and wild garlic. There is a chance of
spotting Roe or Fallow deer, which are prolific in our woods. The woods also
provide a perfect habitat and places to nest for robins, blackbirds,
finches, woodpeckers, nuthatches and wrens. Once coppiced for a variety of
uses, the last time the woodland at Canonteign was managed for commercial
purposes was during the 2nd World War, when wood was felled for the war
effort, some of this wood was never in fact collected.
You can find out more about the history of the
estate by
clicking here
I have not visited this location, and don't
know if the photographs above are all of one or different falls within this
park.
Location: Canonteign Falls,
Canonteign, Devon |
Grid Reference: SX832824 |
Ceremonial County:
Devon
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Map Link:
StreetMap
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Aerial photo:
Google Aerial
showing
layout of land, falls do not show up. |
Getting there: Off the A38 take the Teign
Valley exit and then left off the slip road. Take next right signposted to
Dunsford/Teign Valley (B3193). Follow the brown tourist signs. |
Access: Incline from disabled car park to
shop, no steps. Access to Clampitt Falls is along an even path from the
shop, with seats by Lily Lake for rests. Access to the the bridge at the
base of Lady Exmouth Falls involves a steep incline of about 20ft. |
Website:
Own
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Other Useful Websites:
Geograph
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Email: |
Address: Canonteign Falls, near Christow,
Devon |
Postcode: EX6 7NT |
Telephone: 01647 252434. |
Opening Times: March to end October - check
their website for exact dates
Daily: 10am-4pm. Gates
locked at 5.30pm
In times of heavy rain, high winds and due to the nature of location, it may
be necessary to close the falls for health and safety reasons. |
Charges: Adult:£7.50; Child (4+) £5.75;
Senior/students/concessions £6.50; Family (2+2) £24;
Download 10% discount entry Voucher
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Nearby Locations: Dartmoor locations |
Other Location Pages:
Waterfall
Waterfalls of Devon
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Notes: Free parking
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