Braunton Burrows is the largest system of sand dunes (or psammosere) in Britain, a National Nature Reserve and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Burrows are named due to the large amount of rabbits living there and the rabbits’ grazing has actually changed the appearance of the plants (unnaturally short), grasses and vegetation there.

There are paths from the (free) car park leading to and through the burrows. Follow the paths and then strike out on your own into the spectacular dunes. Some of the dunes are so large you feel like you’re on the moon!

The dunes are so steep and with large ‘craters’ that it’s perfect for military training and for ten days of the year The Ministry of Defense leases the land (from Christie Devon Estates Trust) for that purpose.

If you turn right out of Kingsacre House and then left into Moor Lane or Burrows Close Lane (signed). Follow the road until you reach the car park.

Woolacombe is about four miles from Kingsacre House. The beach at Woolacombe is one of our ‘blue flag’ beaches and the ‘main beach’ is essentially just over two miles of beautiful sand with Putsborough Sands at the other end.

Woolacombe itself has great facilities, pubs, restaurants, shops and surf equipment hire. There are lots of parking options, public toilets near the beach and there is disabled beach access.

Putsborough Sands beach is another beautiful and popular local beach. Facilities include a cafe/shop and public toilets. Woolacombe and Putsborough are essentially the same bay and one long sandy beach (with Woolacombe at the North end and Putsborough to the south).

One issue with Putsborough is the approach along long winding single lane roads. These can become gridlocked during the busiest summer days so we’d advise against arriving at Putsborough on a hot summer afternoon when most people will be leaving.

Here is a link to: Putsborough Sands’ website which has lots more information about the beach and how to get there.

Croyde Bay is perhaps the most renowned beach for it’s surfing. With lifeguards May to October and the host of local surf shops and hire centres Croyde is a great place to learn to surf. When the swell’s good Croyde can have some great A-Frame peaks and the reef on the north side of the bay can produce some nice rights. If you’re at the stage when you’re just starting to paddle to the outside and the waves are good – try your hardest to keep out of the way of other surfers and use good surfing etiquette. Croyde Bay can get very busy with surfers in the summer (as do all the well known local breaks).

The bay itself is just a mile further on from Saunton Sands and has the National Trust’s Baggy Point on the other side which is a lovely place for a walk.

Since 1999 Croyde has hosted the annual Goldcoast Oceanfest (surfing and music festival) on the weekend closest to the summer solstice.

Here is a link for more information about Croyde Bay.