“When I started Gulf Stream I realised that surfers really do want a unique product made specifically for them. So, as well as our range of ‘off the peg’ boards, I decided to create an easily accessible ‘made to measure’ service. The customer gets all of the usual benefits from our use of the finest materials added to exclusive access to the design process and of course the signature Gulf Stream look.

“Our aim is to bring together the finest techniques of traditional surfboard manufacture with the innovations of modern professional surfing.”

The result is a comprehensive range of ocean going surfboards with all of the advantages of owning a Gulf Stream – unique shape, bespoke art, resin detail and fine finishing.

‘Thank you for a fantastic stay! Beautiful house and your attention to detail is fantastic’ – G&R Hertfordshire, 7th January 2012

‘Many thanks for a wonderful stay’ – T&C, Northampton, 30th December 2011

‘Wonderful haven on a cold December weekend! Thank you for a lovely stay’ – S,D&N, Camberwell, London, 11th December 2011

‘What a wonderful house! We’ve had a great stay and felt very at home! We love the decor, the hospitality and the best nights sleep in ages! Thanks!’ – C&S, Bournemouth, 23rd November 2011

‘An absolutely stunning stay in every way – simply brilliant! planning our next stay already’- T&K, Devon, 7th November 2011

We have returned and have not been disappointed. Thanks for the wonderful hospitality, we’ll be back!’ – G&R, Worcestershire, 30th October 2011

‘Came on a recommendation, the house and Nigel and Linda exceeded our expectations, definitely come again, definitely recommend!!’ – M&S, Shropshire, 27th October 2011

‘As always another wonderful and relaxing stay. We have such a great time when visiting and always look forward to coming back. An extremely professional outfit made wonderful by two very relaxed attitudes, many thanks’ – J&M, Derbyshire, 24th October 2011

‘Perfect in every way, many thanks’ – C&L, Northampton, 21st October 2011

‘Thank you so much for a fantastic, friendly, comfortable stay, we have had a great stay!’ – C&S, Swindon, 15th October 2011

‘It’s all been great and we shall definitely be back to do the next leg of the coastal path. thanks for all your help’ – P&L, Beaconsfield, 29th September 2011

‘Linda and Nigel we have no doubt that your business will go from strength to strength and deservedly so!’ – P&E, Bristol, 19th September 2011

‘Another fantastic stay, we will be back!’ – S&C, Portishead, 13th September 2011

‘Absolutely delightful, thank you so much’ – LD, Nuneaton, 11th September 2011

‘Wonderful weekend in North Devon. Thank you both so very much for all your perfect touches in your beautiful home, so relaxing!’ – L&B, Langley, 5th September 2011

‘Thank you for an amazing stay, definitely come again’ – S,T,M&H, Yately, 2nd September 2011

‘What a lovely place!! Thank you so much we enjoyed a wonderful stay, thank you’ – S&S, Tunbridge, 30th August 2011

‘Thank you so much for a lovely break. Fabulous hosts, fabulous home, we just could not of asked for more!’ – J&W, Huthwaite, Notts, 30th August 2011.

‘Nigel and Linda, we can not thank you enough for making us feel so welcome. Thank you for putting up with us for so long! We will miss your delicious cooking and all your surfing advice. We wish you all the best for a successful future, best wishes’ – J&M, Canterbury, 26th August 2011.

‘Fantastic, very warm welcome made to feel at home, lovely breakfast, thank you’ – O&R, Swindon, 25th August 2011.

‘Thank you for a lovely R/R on our travels. You are so lucky to live in such gorgeous surroundings’ – D&F, Australia, 22nd August 2011.

‘Great base for Sea Kayaking, wonderful stay – very comfortable beds and rooms and great breakfasts. Thank you for being such friendly and attentive hosts’ – S&S, Bath, 22nd August 2011.

‘What a fantastic place, beautiful house, very friendly hosts, thank you for a rest’ – S&L, Llanelli, 20th August 2011.

‘Absolutely fabulous, thank you once again’ – P&S, Thurlestone, 16th August 2011.

‘Amazing stay once again, thank you very much see you again soon’ – A&H, Eltham, 14th August 2011.

‘Wonderful breakies !! Thanks for making us so welcome’ – G&B, Blackpool, 8th August 2011.

‘Thank you for a wonderful stay in your lovely home, fantastic’ – T&M, Wiltshire, 4th August 2011.

‘Fantastic stay, lovely host and nice homemade cakes, marmalade and bread! Lovely room, house and views, (want to live here!) we love the dog and will be back’ – P&G and G&A, 29th July 2011.

‘As always, beautifully looked after, engaging but not intrusive – always helpful – a great stay’ - RT, Hampshire, 8th July 2011.

‘A truly wonderful place to stay, everything was of the highest quality, great hosts, great atmosphere, great food, great room, great location, – how many ‘greats’ is that!!? Would definately reccommend and return for another stay – thank you.‘ - D & F, Bristol, 5th July 2011.

‘A wonderful stay, excellent food / accommodation. Wonderful welcome’. - Mr DL, Bournemouth, 1st July 2011.

‘Fantastic, nothing could be faulted’. - Mr PC, Bournemouth, 1st July 2011.

‘Beautiful home, the most welcoming hosts, and yes I want to keep your dog! Thank you for your top tips about beaches, your kindness and the conversations. We felt truly welcome. Thank you so much’. - KB, Dorset, 23rd June 2011.

‘Very much enjoyed my stay, such friendly, kind and attentive hosts, very comfortable and attractive room’. - M L-J, Herefordshire, 23rd June 2011.

‘Thank you Linda and Nigel for providing such a friendly, warm welcome in such a lovely house. A great place to stay and spend time in comfort. We shall be back’. - D&C H, Australia, 11th June 2011.

‘We were made to feel very welcome, fabulous accommodation, very clean, food excellent, will be coming back’. - M&L, Nuneaton, 11th June 2011.

There is a full bar, with catering facilities.

The dress rules at Saunton are fairly informal, however, the following rules apply: no denims, tee shirts, sleeveless shirts or trainers on or off the course, shorts must be tailored and no shorter than 3 inches above the knee, sports socks or knee-length socks must be worn on the course.

Go and challenge yourself in the blustery westerly winds!

Nick Faldo says about Saunton Golf Club:

“I love links golf and, though I rarely get an opportunity to visit the West Country, I am a huge fan of Saunton. I’ve no doubt that if the East Course were located on the coast of Lancashire or Kent it would have hosted an Open Championship by now.”

Here is a link to their website: Saunton Golf Club.

For further information about the Pannier Market and what’s on when you can visit the website by following this link:

Barnstaple Pannier Market

Saunton Sands’ expansive scenery means that it has often been used for filming. In “A Matter of Life and Death” David Niven was washed up on to Saunton Sands, Robbie Williams’ “Angels” video was also filmed there and it pretended to be Normandy in Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” (it was also used for their “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” album cover).

The facilities are excellent. There is a large car park (the cost is seasonal but roughly £3 to £6 depending on the month and time of day you arrive), toilets with outdoor showers for rinsing yourself and your wetsuit, The Sands Cafe / Restaurant, Beach shop and cafe and, maybe most importantly, Surfed Out surf shop and hire centre. The beach is very safe which makes it a great choice if you’re learning to surf.

To get to Saunton Sands turn right out of Kingsacre House and follow Saunton Road for a mile and a half, where the car park will be signed to your left.

The first thing we would like to mention is surf etiquette! Remember, there are a lot of good local surfers around who want to enjoy the waves when they appear. There are also likely to be a lot of children splashing around in the shallows. Please try to recognise your skill level, your place in the water and look out for and respect other water users.

The best beaches for learning are Saunton Sands, Croyde and Woolacombe. They have the best facilities and Croyde and Woolacombe are lifeguarded in the summer months (a red & yellow flag designates a lifeguarded area and a black & white chequered flag designates a surfing zone). Ask the lifeguards if you are not sure where you should be.

At Saunton Sands it’s easy: park up, walk into Surfed Out’s hire shop and within a few minutes you can be strolling down towards the water in your borrowed wettie, Mini Mal under your arm and the Beach Boys singing in your head!

Here are some links to useful surfing information —>

Surf equipment hire:

Surfed Out Saunton Surf Hire

Little Pink Shop – Croyde

Rico’s Surfboard Hire – Woolacombe

Hunter Surfboard Hire – Woolacombe

Surf shops:

Surfed Out – Surf Shop, Braunton

Loose-Fit – Surf Shop, Braunton

Gulf Stream Surfboards – Braunton

Tiki – Braunton

Surfing Tuition:

Walking on waves – Sarah Whiteley’s Saunton based surf school

Nick Thorn Surf School – Woolacombe

Surfing Croyde Bay

Surf forecasts / surfcheck:

Eyeball Surfcheck – North Devon surf report and webcams

Magic Seaweed – surf forecast