Visitors to the Otter Estuary Nature Reserve can hire an all-terrain Tramper vehicle for their visit on specific dates as part of a new initiative. They are available through a partnership with Countryside Mobility, a charity initiative to make countryside sites more accessible to all. Find out more about this pop up initiative and the other East Devon locations participating.

What you’ll enjoy

Starting from the Otter Estuary Pebblebed Heaths car park you’ll be able to complete a 2.5 mile loop (or shorter loops) taking in the west and east side of the estuary with opportunities to see the rich wildlife of this special location. You’ll be provided with Tramper route information showing where to go.

Who can use the Tramper

The Tramper can be used by anyone aged 14+ with reduced mobility. This could be due to a physical constraint that makes walking difficult, or walking, in itself may be ok, but a long or short term health condition may mean that distances or hills could constrain where you would be able to go. No previous experience is needed.

How to hire the tramper

To ensure that everyone who uses a Tramper is safe, confident and insured you’ll either need to be, or become a member of Countryside Mobility.

Membership provides access to the full hire network of 60+ beauty spots, predominantly in South West England, including these Devon locations.

If you are not a member, you can sign up at the same time as booking and you will have three options:

1. Single use – This single use ticket is for individuals who only want to hire the Tramper once without signing up to a membership with Countryside Mobility.
2. 2-Week Taster Membership – This Countryside Mobility 2-Week Taster Membership is ideal for people wanting to try the scheme out or if you are on holiday.
3. Annual Membership – This ticket is for people wanting to purchase an annual membership for Countryside Mobility.

Your membership will then be confirmed after completing a short introduction to the Tramper when you visit. Unfortunately, we are unable to allow non-members use the Tramper, even if they already use a mobility scooter as they will not be insured.

Please note that we cannot sign you up in person when you arrive at the reserve and will therefore not be able to loan the Tramper if you are not a member.

If you are already a member of Countryside Mobility please bring your proof of membership and we will give you a quick refresher of the Tramper before you start exploring.

For more information and to book your Tramper hire, click HERE.

Things to know before you arrive

• Please arrive 15 minutes before you hire time for an introduction.
• You can save time on arrival, by checking Countryside Mobility’s medical requirements and general terms of use and watching the introductory video.
• All users must be over the age of 14 due to DVLA requirements. User’s under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
• There are toilet facilities around the route but a short diversion takes you to the toilets on Budleigh seafront.
• As this pop up service is being operated from an outdoor location rather visitor centre it is particularly important that you return at the agreed time.

Additional Information:

All bookings are weather permitting, and subject to availability. In the case of adverse weather conditions, you will be contacted at least 24 hours prior to your session.

The Trampers are only available to hire on select dates and times due to sharing the Tramper with other sites locally. If you no longer need your booking, please let us know so we can offer the Tramper to someone else.

If you have any questions about Tramper hire please contact [email protected]

Tramper hire at the Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve is made possible with funding from East Devon National Landscape Access For All fund.

This event is organised by the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust which is supported through funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Thank you National Lottery Players.