Decoy Country Park in 360º

Enjoy a virtual tour of Decoy Country Park a leisurely stroll through woodland and around the beautiful lake that supports a rich wealth of wildlife.

Location/Facts Getting Around Getting There Things To Do Where To Eat & Drink Helpful Tips Weather Sunrise & Sunset Times Nearby Destinations

While I wandered around I saw loads of dragon flies, different birds, you might be lucky and even spot a kingfisher. It has football fields, dirt bike tracks and a play area, so there’s plenty here for all ages to enjoy. I only had time to walk the short blue trail around the lake, but there are a couple longer trails to check out.

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Location/Facts

Decoy was once a clay quarry that was both quarried and mined for ball clay from 1850 until 1965. Created in 1988 Decoy Country Park is now a Green Flag award winning country park and local nature reserve on the edge of Newton Abbot. The park is home to ponds, streams, fen, wet woodland and heathy woodland.

Most of the Country Park is either a County Wildlife Site (CWS) or a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Watts, Blake, Bearne and Co quarried Decoy for clay until 1965.

Getting Around

There are three walks and they have been colour coded depending on the distance. The Blue Circular Trail around the lake is suitable for most wheelchairs, particularly if used in a clockwise direction (you then avoid a small uphill slope).

Wet Play Area
- Open May – End of September.
- Unavailable for Cleaning 7am to noon every Thursday.
- The wet play opening period may be extended if weather permits.
Discovery Centre
- Open May – September.
- Usually open between 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm.
Disabled Facilities
- Disabled parking.
- Disabled toilet (available with key).
- Blue Circular Trail.

Things To Do

BMX track
Discovery Centre
Fishing (permit required & the lake is not stocked)
Lake (radio controlled boats are not allowed)
Magazine Pond
Enjoy a Picnic
Sailing/canoeing/Kayaking (private concession – Devon Windsurf & Canoe Centre)
Sports pitches
Trim trail
Walking Trails
- Blue Trail (3/4 miles) Wheelchair friendly
- Red Trail (1.5 miles)
- Green Trail (2 miles)
- Yellow Cycle Trail
Wet Play Area
Woodland walks

Where To Eat & Drink

There is a refreshment kiosk.
Take your own picnic.

Getting There

There’s no entry fee, parking can be limited especially if the weather is nice.

By Car:

On the south-east edge of Newton Abbot. It is ‘brown-signed’ from the A380 Penn Inn roundabout and its main entrance is on Decoy Road. Sat Nav TQ12 1EB.
The car park has spaces for 103 cars with pay and display by entering your vehicle registration.
- Prices
  - Mon-Sat 9:00am – 6:00pm (Free outside these hours)
  - 2 Hours £0.50
  - 4 Hours £1.00
  - All day £1.50

By Bus:

Decoy is on the No 75 bus route from Newton Abbot Market, Milber and Kingskerswell and is a short walk from the train station.

Helpful Tips

Dogs are welcome (Though Not permitted in the play area).
Due to the lakes depth and slippery slopes there is strictly no swimming allowed.
Fishing permits are available from the kiosk.
Sainsbury’s is just down the road to buy all your picnic stuff.

Weather