Is Braunton a good destination for a beach holiday?
Braunton village itself isn't directly on the coast, but it serves as an excellent hub for exploring North Devon's renowned beaches. Famous spots like Saunton Sands, Croyde Bay, and Woolacombe are just a short drive away, offering diverse options for surfing, family activities, and scenic coastal walks. The village itself provides ample amenities and various accommodation choices, making it a convenient base.
What kind of beach holiday is Braunton best for - families, surfing, relaxing?
Braunton's location caters well to different holiday styles. Families often favour the vast space, gentle slopes, and accessibility features of Saunton Sands, or the award-winning facilities at nearby Woolacombe. Surfers are drawn to the challenging waves at Croyde Bay or the varying conditions at Saunton and Woolacombe. For those seeking relaxation, quieter experiences can be found at Crow Point, the southern end of Putsborough Sands, or by exploring the expansive Braunton Burrows nature reserve.
Which beach is better near Braunton: Saunton Sands or Croyde Bay?
The 'better' beach depends on your preferences. Saunton Sands offers a vast 3.5-mile stretch of golden sand backed by dunes, ideal for families, dog walkers (welcome year-round), and beginner or longboard surfers due to its gentler waves. It lacks lifeguard service. Croyde Bay is a smaller, picturesque bay famed for its excellent, sometimes powerful surf, making it popular with experienced surfers. It has seasonal lifeguards and nearby village amenities but imposes dog restrictions during peak season (typically May-September).
Are the beaches near Braunton good for swimming?
Swimming is popular, but safety considerations vary. Croyde Bay and Woolacombe Beach benefit from seasonal RNLI lifeguard patrols, making them safer choices when lifeguards are on duty – always swim between the designated flags. Be aware that Croyde Bay can experience strong rip currents. Saunton Sands generally has calmer, long rolling waves and is shallow for a considerable distance, suitable for paddling, but importantly, it does not have a lifeguard service. Checking tide times and sea conditions before entering the water is always advisable.
Where can I stay near the beaches in Braunton?
There's a wide range of accommodation. Braunton village offers numerous holiday cottages, guesthouses, and some hotels, providing a central base. Croyde village also has cottages, B&Bs, and campsites, placing you close to Croyde Bay. For direct beach access or views, options include the Saunton Sands Hotel overlooking its namesake beach, Saunton Beach Villas located near the dunes, and the Croyde Bay Holiday Resort situated just behind Croyde beach.
Can you take dogs on the beaches near Braunton?
Yes, North Devon is generally dog-friendly, but rules differ between beaches. Saunton Sands and Crow Point are great choices as they welcome dogs all year round without restrictions. Woolacombe and Putsborough Sands also allow dogs year-round, but have specific zones and may restrict dogs from main areas during peak season. Croyde Bay has the strictest rules, typically only permitting dogs between 1st October and 30th April. Braunton Burrows allows dogs, but they should be kept under control, especially near grazing livestock. Always remember to clean up after your dog.
How do you get to the beaches from Braunton village?
Reaching the main nearby beaches like Saunton Sands (approx. 2.5 miles) and Croyde Bay (approx. 5 miles) from Braunton village usually requires transport. Driving is common, or you can use local bus services (like the 21/21A route) which connect Braunton to the coastal areas. Cycling is another option, with connections to the Tarka Trail cycle path. While walking is possible, particularly to Saunton via Braunton Burrows, it involves a considerable trek.
Is parking difficult at the beaches near Braunton?
Parking is available at the main beaches (Saunton Sands, Croyde, Woolacombe, Putsborough) and access points for Braunton Burrows (Sandy Lane, Crow Point). However, during peak season (summer holidays, sunny weekends), car parks, particularly at Saunton and Croyde, can become extremely busy and often reach full capacity early in the day. Arriving early is strongly advised. Parking fees apply and can be relatively high in some locations.
What is Braunton Burrows and can you walk there?
Braunton Burrows is a vast and ecologically important sand dune system located behind Saunton Sands beach. It's recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to its unique habitats and rich biodiversity, including many rare plants and insects. It's a fantastic area for walking, offering miles of paths and tracks through the dunes and towards the beach. Access points include Saunton Sands car park, Sandy Lane car park, and Crow Point car park. Be aware that much of the Burrows lacks marked trails, so navigation needs care, especially away from main paths like the 'American Road' (part of the South West Coast Path).
Are there quieter, less crowded beaches near Braunton?
Yes, if you're looking to escape the main crowds, Crow Point offers a more peaceful experience. Located at the southern end of Saunton Sands and accessed via a toll road through Braunton Burrows, it provides quiet estuary views but lacks facilities. Putsborough Sands, at the southern end of the Woolacombe stretch, is typically quieter than the main Woolacombe beach. Exploring the vast expanse of Braunton Burrows itself can also offer solitude. Additionally, visiting during the shoulder seasons (spring or autumn) generally means fewer people than peak summer.
What facilities are available at Saunton Sands and Croyde Bay?
Saunton Sands offers extensive facilities including a large car park, public toilets with disabled access and baby changing, outdoor showers, a beach shop, surf hire and schools, a cafe (Saunton Break Cafe), and a restaurant (Beachside Grill). Accessible beach wheelchairs are also available for hire. Croyde Bay has several car parks nearby, public toilets, seasonal refreshment kiosks near the beach, and numerous surf shops, cafes, and pubs within Croyde village, a short walk away.
Is Saunton Sands or Croyde better for beginner surfers?
Saunton Sands is widely recommended for complete beginners. Its waves are typically long, slow-breaking, and more forgiving, creating a safer and easier environment for learning to surf. Several surf schools operate there. Croyde Bay's waves tend to be faster, steeper, and more powerful, making it a favourite for intermediate to advanced surfers. While lessons are available at Croyde, the conditions can be more challenging for novices.
What's the best time of year to visit Braunton for beaches?
The best time depends on your priorities. For warmest weather ideal for swimming and sunbathing, late spring and summer (May-September) are peak season, but also the busiest. Autumn (September-October) offers a great balance with potentially pleasant weather, fewer crowds, beautiful coastal walks, and often good surfing conditions. Winter is quietest but coolest. For seeing Braunton Burrows' unique wildflowers in bloom, late May through July is prime time.
Can you access Braunton Burrows or Crow Point without a car?
Accessing the heart of Braunton Burrows (via Sandy Lane car park) or Crow Point (at the end of the toll road) is challenging without a car. Public buses serve Braunton village and Saunton Sands beach. From Saunton Sands, you can walk onto the northern part of the Burrows. Reaching Crow Point or the central Burrows on foot from Braunton village is a very long walk (likely over an hour each way). Cycle paths like the Tarka Trail exist in the area but don't offer easy direct access deep into the Burrows or to Crow Point.
Are there any specific local tips for visiting Braunton's beaches?
Always check tide times – low tide reveals rock pools at Croyde and affects surf conditions. Arrive early for parking in peak season, especially at Saunton and Croyde. Remember Saunton Sands is not lifeguarded, while Croyde has seasonal lifeguards but can have strong rips – swim between flags. Respect the sensitive Braunton Burrows environment (it's a UNESCO site): keep dogs under control, stick to paths where possible, and take all litter home. The road to Crow Point involves a toll. For a unique local treat, try the seasonal Sri Lankan curry takeaway from the cafe at Barricane Beach (near Woolacombe).
