Rolling hills, ancient woodland and a quieter way of life
The Blackdown Hills offer a very different side of the South West.
Straddling the border between Devon and Somerset, this beautiful National Landscape is a patchwork of rolling hills, wooded valleys, open farmland, winding lanes and small villages. It is a landscape shaped by nature, agriculture and generations of rural life, with spectacular views and a remarkable sense of peace.
For Diamond Estate Agents, the Blackdown Hills are part of the wider area we know and understand. For buyers looking beyond the towns of Mid Devon, the hills can offer something particularly appealing: space, countryside and community, while remaining within reach of Exeter, Taunton, Tiverton and the M5.
Whether you're searching for a country cottage, village home, smallholding or family property surrounded by countryside, the Blackdown Hills are well worth exploring.
Life in the Blackdown Hills
There is a slower rhythm to life here.
The Blackdown Hills are not dominated by large towns. Instead, you'll find villages, hamlets, farms and isolated properties scattered across a landscape of fields, woodland and steep-sided valleys.
It is a place where the countryside isn't something you visit at the weekend. It is part of everyday life.
Morning dog walks, country lanes, village pubs, local shops, community events and spectacular views all form part of the experience.
For people looking to escape the pace of city life without moving completely off the map, the Blackdown Hills can offer an excellent balance.
A Landscape Shaped by Nature
The Blackdown Hills are recognised as a National Landscape, reflecting the importance and beauty of the area.
The landscape is distinctive for its flat-topped hills, wooded valleys, streams, heathland and farmland.
Ancient woodland creates dramatic changes in the scenery, while open viewpoints provide long-distance views across Devon and Somerset.
The area is particularly beautiful through the seasons.
Spring brings fresh green woodland and wildflowers, summer fills the hills with colour, autumn transforms the trees and winter reveals the underlying shape of the landscape.
There is always something different to see.
Villages and Communities
One of the attractions of the Blackdown Hills is the collection of small communities scattered throughout the landscape.
Hemyock
Hemyock is one of the larger settlements within the Blackdown Hills and has a strong connection with the surrounding countryside.
The remains of Hemyock Castle provide an important reminder of the area's medieval history, while the village continues to serve as a local community hub.
Culmstock
Sitting beside the River Culm, Culmstock has a particularly attractive rural setting.
The village is surrounded by countryside and provides easy access to walking routes across the Blackdown Hills.
Dunkeswell
Dunkeswell is well known for its airfield and its elevated position within the hills.
Its rural setting makes it popular with people looking for a quieter lifestyle while remaining within reach of larger towns.
Kentisbeare
Kentisbeare offers traditional village character and a strong connection to the surrounding countryside.
Its position between Cullompton and the Blackdown Hills makes it an interesting option for buyers wanting rural living with convenient road access.
Across the hills, smaller villages and hamlets each offer their own character, community and sense of place.
Walking and the Great Outdoors
If outdoor space matters to you, the Blackdown Hills have plenty to offer.
There are countless footpaths, bridleways, woodland tracks and quiet country lanes to explore.
The terrain can be surprisingly varied, with open hilltops giving way to wooded valleys and streams.
It's an excellent area for:
Walking and hiking
Cycling
Horse riding
Dog walking
Wildlife watching
Photography
Fishing
Exploring local villages and countryside
You don't have to travel far to find a beautiful walk.
Often, the best route is the one that begins just beyond your front gate.
Wildlife and the Natural Environment
The combination of woodland, heathland, streams, farmland and open countryside creates an important habitat for wildlife.
Birdlife, butterflies, deer and other native species can be found throughout the hills, while the area's ancient woodland and hedgerows support a rich variety of plant and animal life.
For residents, this means that nature is never far away.
A walk around the Blackdown Hills can reveal something different every time, particularly as the seasons change.
Village Life and Local Amenities
The Blackdown Hills are rural, but they are not without community.
Village pubs, local shops, schools, churches, sports clubs and community organisations remain important parts of life in many settlements.
Larger shopping trips and specialist services are generally available in nearby towns such as Tiverton, Cullompton, Honiton and Taunton, depending on where you live.
This is one of the key considerations when choosing a property in the Blackdown Hills.
The difference between living in a village and living in a more remote rural location can be significant, so understanding the surrounding area is just as important as understanding the property itself.
Property in the Blackdown Hills
The Blackdown Hills property market offers an appealing mix of homes.
Buyers can find traditional cottages, period houses, converted barns, country homes, modern village properties and rural homes with gardens, land and outbuildings.
Some properties are tucked away down quiet country lanes, while others sit within established villages with local amenities close by.
For buyers looking for:
A rural retreat
Peace, privacy and countryside views.
A family home
Space, gardens and access to village communities.
A period property
Character buildings with traditional features and history.
A property with land
Opportunities for gardens, hobbies, equestrian use or simply enjoying more outdoor space.
A village lifestyle
Community and countryside without complete isolation.
The variety is one of the reasons the Blackdown Hills continue to attract people looking for something different from conventional town living.
Buying a Home in the Blackdown Hills
Buying in a rural location requires a little more thought than simply choosing the house you like best.
Access, parking, broadband, mobile coverage, heating systems, private drainage, outbuildings, land boundaries and local services can all be important considerations.
At Diamond Estate Agents, our local knowledge helps buyers look at the bigger picture.
A property may look perfect on paper, but understanding where it sits, what is nearby and how it works as an everyday home is equally important.
Getting Around
Despite its rural character, the Blackdown Hills are relatively well positioned.
The M5 motorway provides connections towards Exeter, Taunton, Bristol and beyond, with access available from several points around the surrounding towns.
Cullompton, Tiverton, Honiton and Taunton all provide access to wider employment, shopping and leisure facilities.
For commuters, the Blackdown Hills can therefore provide the opportunity to enjoy a rural lifestyle without being completely disconnected from the wider South West.
The Blackdown Hills and Exeter
For many buyers relocating to the area, proximity to Exeter is a significant attraction.
The city provides employment, shopping, restaurants, entertainment, education and excellent transport connections.
Living within the Blackdown Hills allows you to enjoy a countryside setting while keeping Exeter within reach.
It can be an attractive option for people who want the best of both worlds:
A rural home, without completely giving up city convenience.
Why Choose the Blackdown Hills?Beautiful countryside
Rolling hills, ancient woodland, valleys and farmland create a distinctive landscape.
Peace and space
The area offers a genuine escape from busy urban environments.
Strong communities
Villages and local organisations help maintain a real sense of community.
Character properties
From traditional cottages to country houses and converted barns, there is plenty of architectural variety.
Outdoor lifestyle
Walking, cycling, riding and exploring are all part of everyday life.
Excellent location
The M5 and nearby towns provide useful connections across Devon and Somerset.
Close to Exeter and Taunton
Rural living doesn't have to mean being miles from everything.
Is the Blackdown Hills a Good Place to Live?
For people who value countryside, community and a quieter pace of life, the Blackdown Hills offer a compelling proposition.
It is not about having every amenity on your doorstep.
It is about having space on your doorstep.
It is waking up to countryside views, driving along winding lanes, walking through ancient woodland and knowing that the landscape around you is part of what makes home special.
At the same time, larger towns and cities remain accessible, meaning you don't have to completely disconnect from modern life.
For many buyers, that balance is exactly the attraction.
Thinking of Moving to the Blackdown Hills?
At Diamond Estate Agents, we understand that moving to a rural area is about finding the right lifestyle as much as finding the right property.
Whether you're looking for a country cottage in the Blackdown Hills, a family home in a village, a property with land or a peaceful rural retreat, our local knowledge can help you make an informed decision.
And if you're thinking about selling your property in the Blackdown Hills, we can help you understand how your home sits within the current market and how best to present it to buyers looking for this unique lifestyle.
