Accessibility at Saunton Beach
Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy a day beside the sea.
At Saunton Beach, we are working to make our site as accessible to as many visitors as possible. From designated accessible parking bays and accessible toilets to specialist all-terrain beach equipment and nearby accessible accommodation, this page brings together the information you need to plan your visit with confidence.
We have done our best to provide clear and honest information throughout. However, the businesses at Saunton are independently owned and operated. For questions relating to any business other than Saunton Beach Shop or Saunton Beach Villas, please contact the relevant operator directly.
Arrival and Car Parking
At Saunton, everything you need for a memorable day beside the sea is close at hand. From surf hire, lessons and beach huts, to food and drink, a traditional Beach Shop and facilities designed to help make your visit comfortable.
Arrive early for a quiet walk, spend the afternoon in the waves, stop for something to eat and stay to watch the sun sink towards the horizon. Whether you are visiting for an hour or making a full day of it, there is no need to rush away. Stay until evening and you may be rewarded with one of Saunton’s unforgettable sunsets, as the sky changes colour over the Atlantic and another day at the beach draws to a close.
Route to the Beach
The route from the accessible parking bays to the beach entrance is over hard surfaces made up of tarmac, concrete and gravel. The surface may become uneven or covered with sand at times.
A sloping concrete slipway leads down towards the beach and finishes at soft sand. A rubber access mat is positioned at the bottom of the slipway on the left hand side, although it may be uneven or partially covered by loose sand depending on conditions.
Beyond the mat, the beach surface is soft sand until the tide line where the sand is more compact. Please be aware that the distance from the end of the slipway to the sea varies considerably depending on the tide. At low tide, the sea can be a considerable distance from the main entrance, so checking the tide times before your visit is strongly recommended.
Beach Wheelchairs and Mobility Equipment
Saunton Beach has offered its own Sandcruiser beach wheelchairs for a number of years. Through our partnership with local charity Access For All, this provision has now been significantly expanded to include a new range of specialist beach-access and mobility equipment.
The new equipment has been made possible through generous funding from North Devon Coast National Landscapes.
We are very proud to be working with Access For All. Together, we are improving access at Saunton and creating more opportunities for people with a wide range of mobility and support needs to experience the coast.
Specialist mobility equipment available at Saunton Beach includes:
WheelEEZ Sandcruiser beach wheelchairs
Saunton’s Sandcruiser beach wheelchairs have been helping visitors enjoy the beach for a number of years and remain an important part of our accessible equipment range.
Their wide, low-pressure balloon tyres are designed to move more easily across soft sand and uneven ground, allowing visitors to travel beyond the end of the slipway and spend time on the beach. Suitable for both adults and children, the chairs are designed to be pushed by a companion rather than self-propelled.
Hippocampe all-terrain beach wheelchair
We are absolutely delighted to offer the Hippocampe all-terrain beach wheelchair to visitors at Saunton.
Its practical, lightweight design makes it easier to travel across sand and other uneven outdoor surfaces. Suitable for users of all ages, with a maximum weight capacity of 130 kg (approximately 20 stone), its neutral-buoyancy design also allows it to be used in the sea. The hippocampe is not self-propelled.
Supportive seating options are available to suit different needs, including a beaded backrest and an inflatable infant insert.
All-terrain rollator
The rollator provides additional support for visitors who can walk but may find soft sand or uneven surfaces difficult. Max user weight 120kg (18st).
Mobile hydraulic hoist
An Oxford Midi mobile hydraulic hoist is available to support transfers into the Hippocampe or Sandcruisers where required. Max user weight 140kg (22st).
We also have a banana board available to assist with transfers.
Reserving Equipment
The all-terrain equipment must be reserved in advance through Saunton Beach Shop.
Early booking is strongly recommended, particularly during school holidays and the main summer season.
Call 01271 890771 or email beachshop@sauntonbeachvillas.co.uk
Click here to view the terms and conditions of hire.
Accessible places to stay
Purpose-designed accessible holiday accommodation is available nearby in Braunton, approximately five minutes from Saunton Beach.
The properties offer specialist features including profiling beds, hoisting equipment, accessible bathrooms, adapted kitchen facilities and enclosed gardens. Guests also receive free parking at Saunton Beach.
Saunton Beach Villas
Some of the Villas may be suitable for guests who need reduced steps, parking close to the accommodation or particular bathroom arrangements.
The Villas are not specialist accessible properties, so guests are encouraged to speak to the team before booking. They can help explain layouts and identify the accommodation that may be most suitable.