Saunton Sands
Saunton Sands on the north Devon coast is one of the finest beaches in England, a three-mile south-facing arc of golden sand backed by the Braunton Burrows dune system that provides excellent surfing conditions, extensive bathing in sheltered water and the ecological interest of one of the largest sand dune complexes in Britain. The beach faces Bideford Bay and receives Atlantic swell that has made it one of the most consistent surf beaches in the southwest, and the scale of the beach provides space for the large numbers of visitors it attracts during the summer without feeling overcrowded. The surf at Saunton is among the most reliable on the north Devon coast, the southwest-facing aspect receiving swell from across the Atlantic Ocean and the beach profile producing well-shaped waves suitable for both beginner and experienced surfers. The surf schools operating from the beach provide lessons for those new to the sport and the consistent quality of the waves has made Saunton a favourite destination for experienced surfers throughout the year. Braunton Burrows behind the beach, part of the North Devon Biosphere Reserve, is the largest sand dune system in England and a Site of Special Scientific Interest of outstanding botanical importance. Over four hundred plant species have been recorded in the dunes, including exceptional populations of rare orchids and other dune-specialist species that have almost disappeared from the more disturbed dune systems elsewhere in Britain. The area was used as a training ground by American and British forces preparing for the D-Day landings in 1944, and remnants of the wartime occupation can still be found in the dunes. The village of Croyde immediately to the north provides the most popular alternative beach on this section of the coast, and the South West Coast Path connecting the two gives excellent clifftop walking.