Barnstaple Town Centre :: Local Beaches

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To see these and many more local attractions whilst walking or cycling, click here for The North Devon Walking and Cycling Festival.

Braunton Burrows

Braunton Burrows is the largest sand dune system in the UK. It hosts an extraordinarily diverse plant community, with over 400 recorded species of vascular plants. This in turn means that there are also a great variety of associated invertebrate species. Its uniqueness and biodiversity is recognised in its designation as both a National Nature Reserve and as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Braunton Burrows is located in the South West of England, in North Devon, to the west of of Barnstaple

Instow

Instow with golden sands, backed by dunes at its eastern end. Where the two Rivers- Taw and Torridge meet. Popular with sailors and sunbathers alike

Northam Burrows

The Northam Burrows is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is about 253 hectares of grassy coastal plain with salt marsh, sand dunes and generally unimproved grasslands.
The Burrows provides a major access point for the one and a half miles of the Westward Ho! Beach thus combining the best of opportunities for land and marine leisure activities.

Putsborough

Putsborough beach is situated on the southern end of Woolacombe Sand - a couple of miles of sandy beachbreak heaven, with Woolacombe being on the northern end. Well liked for surfers and here’s why. It works at all tide stages but mid to high tend to have an edge. It is the only beach in the area that benefits from some protection from the South/Southwesterly winds, thanks to Baggy Point headland. Peaks are scattered all along its length so take your pick and enjoy. It has a fairly slow waves which are suitable for beginners.

Saunton Sands

3 miles of flat sand backed by massive sand dunes. Excellent surfing beach and ideal for all water sports. Manned with lifeguards. Wheelchair accessible. Shop, toilet etc. at car park end of beach - However you can get away from the crowds by just walking further along the beach. Try to arrive early as car parking space is limited and can fill up on busy days.

Westward Ho

The sandy beach at Westward Ho! in North Devon extends for over two miles and there is also a pebble ridge, behind which is the Northam Burrows Country Park. It has good facilities, including cafe, toilets, deckchair hire, first aid, lifeguards and lost child centre.

Woolacombe

Woolacombe holds the England for Excellence Gold Award for best family resort 1999 and was voted the Best British Beach in the Mail On Sunday - October 2000. Its beach has been voted one of Britain's best and lies between Morte Point and Baggy Point. This three-mile long stretch of golden sand has won both the blue flag and Premier Seaside Beach awards for it's cleanliness, water quality and facilities. Life guards ensure safe family swimming during the summer and surfers come from all over the country to enjoy the great waves and clean water.