Saunton Sands, Saunton, Braunton, North Devon
Saunton Sands is a magnet for families, surfers and nature lovers, all wanting to make the most of this glorious stretch of sandy beach on the coast of North Devon near the village of Braunton. At 3.5 miles long, there’s plenty of room, so when the sun is high in the sky, go and make the most of it; build sandcastles, have a paddle or a swim in the sea, and if you want to stretch your legs stroll out to Crow Point or explore Braunton Burrows at the back of the beach. It’s one of the biggest sand dune systems in the UK and is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Take your surfboard, if that’s your thing, otherwise, you can hire them here, and if you’re a beginner or just a wee bit nervous, book a lesson with Walking On Waves or Surf Saunton. If you just want a good old-fashioned day out by the sea, hire a beach hut and deckchairs, go and buy a bucket and spade from the shop. What’s good about Saunton Sands is that everyone can enjoy it as there’s easy access via a gently sloping concrete slipway, and they have two Landeez all-terrain wheelchairs that can even be used in the shallow parts of the sea; call the beach shop on 01271 890771 to book one for half a day, a whole day or a week. The other thing is, the beach is dog friendly all year round, great if your mutt likes nothing better than a doggie paddle.
There’s a car park of course, and a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, but isn’t it nice to have a proper job picnic on the beach? Oh, and remember the vid for 'Angels' by Robbie Williams? Yep, here.
All information correct at the time of writing