Experience Saunton
A landscape full of stories
There are beaches you visit once, and there are beaches that keep drawing you back. Saunton is one of those places.
Stretching for more than three miles along North Devon’s coastline, Saunton combines wide golden sands, rolling surf and one of the largest sand dune systems in the UK.
Look beyond the shoreline and another side of Saunton begins to unfold. Paths wind into Braunton Burrows, an internationally important sand dune landscape at the heart of North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
During the Second World War, American troops trained here in preparation for the D-Day landings. Concrete replica landing craft and other traces of this remarkable chapter can still be found within the Burrows.
Whether you come for the waves, the wildlife, the history, or the simple pleasure of a day beside the sea, there is always another side of Saunton to discover.
The Perfect North Devon Beach Day
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.
Stay a little longer
One visit is rarely enough.
Staying near the beach gives you time to experience Saunton at a different pace. Walk the shoreline before the day begins, return to the waves whenever the conditions are right, and watch the sunset without needing to hurry home.
Whether you are planning a family holiday, a surfing break, a dog-friendly escape or an accessible coastal stay, Saunton makes a memorable base from which to discover North Devon.
Explore nearby places to stay and discover why so many visitors return year after year.
Explore Braunton Burrows
Directly behind the beach lies Braunton Burrows, the remarkable sand dune system at the heart of North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Follow winding paths through rolling dunes and open grassland, discovering a landscape that changes with the seasons. The Burrows support a rich variety of plants and wildlife, including rare species specially adapted to this unusual coastal habitat.
This vast natural landscape is one of the things that makes Saunton so distinctive. Within moments, you can leave the open beach behind and find yourself surrounded by vast sand dunes, wildflowers and far-reaching views.
Please follow marked routes, respect the wildlife and observe any signs relating to dog walking zones and military training activity.
A landscape shaped by history
The peaceful dunes of Braunton Burrows once played an extraordinary role during the Second World War.
From 1943, American troops trained here in preparation for the D-Day landings. The beach and dunes were chosen because of their similarities to the coast of Normandy, providing a place for soldiers to practise amphibious landings and prepare for the conditions they would face.
Traces of that history remain within the Burrows today. Concrete replicas of landing craft were constructed so troops and vehicle crews could rehearse moving on and off the beach, while other surviving structures offer a lasting connection to the area’s wartime past.
Walk through the dunes and you are not simply exploring a beautiful landscape. You are following in the footsteps of the thousands of people who trained here before one of the most significant events of the twentieth century.
Saunton on screen
Saunton’s enormous shoreline, untouched dunes and dramatic coastal scenery have made it a natural choice for filmmakers.
The beach has appeared in productions including Edge of Tomorrow, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Operation Mincemeat and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It has also featured in music and popular culture, from Pink Floyd’s The Wall (remember all the beds on the beach?) to the video for Robbie Williams’ Angels.
Its ability to appear wild, remote and almost limitless has allowed Saunton to stand in for landscapes and coastlines far beyond North Devon. On your next visit, you may find yourself recognising a view that has appeared on the big screen.
Dogs welcome all year
Some of the happiest visitors to Saunton arrive on four legs.
Dogs are welcome on Saunton Sands throughout the year, with no seasonal beach ban. Its miles of open sand make it a favourite destination for dog walks in every season, from bright summer mornings to windswept winter adventures.
There is plenty of space to walk, run and explore, but please help everyone enjoy the beach by keeping your dog under control, following the guidance displayed on site and clearing up after them.
With Saunton Beach Villas’ award winning dog friendly accommodation so close to the beach, Saunton is also a perfect base for a longer coastal escape with the whole pack.
