Beavers are now regularly spotted swimming in the River Otter which flows through the small town of Ottery St. Mary and on to Otterton and finally out to the sea at Budleigh Salterton. It is only about a 20 or 25 minute drive from Flintstones Cottage to Otterton and Budleigh and both these places are well worth a visit. (Even before the beavers took up residence!) The mill at Otterton is a popular tourist attraction and has a lovely restaurant and tea room. and from here you can walk along the banks of the Otter into Budleigh.

Defra, the environment ministry, is considering declaring the beavers “natives” subject to a study being carried out on their “integration with other land uses”. If this proves to be positive then the beaver would become a native protected species.