Kebles Seat

Devon is a large county and the landscape is very varied. In the east of the county are what are sometimes referred to as the East Devon pebblebed heaths. It can feel quite strange to walk on the smooth rounded pebbles of Woodbury common, that once would have been underwater. From Woodbury common you can see Mutters Moor. It lies between Sidmouth and the valley of the River Otter and resembles the New Forest more than Devon. I know this area well, and it was good to have the opportunity to re-visit today. The paths here are mainly mud and flint, rather than smooth pebbles, but as a teenager I can remember finding fossilised sea urchins on the hill tops here. 
Sidmouth likes to promote itself as a “select” resort, and was certainly very popular in Georgian and Victorian times. Queen Victoria famously came to Sidmouth as a young girl. Today, Sidmouth was very busy, but Mutters Moor was almost deserted. Leaving the car at the top of Peak hill, my aim was to walk to Kebles seat, although I wasn’t sure if it would still be there. Many years ago I recall seeing adders here and at night fireflies. The seat is named after one of the notable visitors to this area, who is said to have enjoyed this spot with its wide ranging views across the Otter valley to Woodbury Common, and Dartmoor beyond. Not only was the seat still here, but now a separate name plate has been added to ensure there is no doubt that this is Kebles seat!