OCEAN COTTAGES GUIDE TO BRAUNTON
Our Braunton guide will help you make the most of your holiday
The bustling village of Braunton acts as a natural focus for visitors, with its wealth of accommodation, amenities and facilities, making it well placed as a base for holidaymakers wanting to explore North Devon. Being close to lots of great beaches and at the heart of England's only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve means it's popular with nature-lovers, surfers and walkers
- Browse Braunton holiday cottages or stay in nearby Croyde, Saunton or Woolacombe
Braunton
village
Braunton is often referred to as the largest village in England,
(although others have also laid claim to this title.)
Whatever the truth, Braunton is a village with a vibrant and active
community with events taking place throughout the year.
The village has lots of good, friendly pubs, restaurants and
cafes, including the George Hotel, award-winning Squires fish and chips, New Coast Canteen, SQ,
Wild
Thyme and The Williams Arms in nearby Wrafton. There are
several supermarkets as well as the British Museum of Surfing.
The new Quay Cafe is a fantastic dog-friendly, fully licensed café offers organic coffee, great food with seasonal specials, and delicious cream teas and cakes. They also serve ice creams, milkshakes and smoothies to eat in or take away as well as outdoor seating, cycle racks and free parking.
There are live music events every Friday throughout summer promoting the most exciting local acts North Devon has on offer. Plus for children there is the fantastic indoor play area to explore!
Beaches and surfing
near Braunton
Braunton is well known for its surfing connections thanks to
its proximity to so many of North Devon's best surfing
beaches. Saunton beach is just up the road, and has three and a
half miles of golden sand and surf (world renowned for its beauty,
and being the setting for many films and music videos, including
Robbie Williams' 'Angels'), and Croyde is just around the headland.
Braunton is also home to the British Museum of Surfing and plenty of
surfing shops including Hunter, Tiki Surf, Surfed Out and Second
Skin.
Braunton walks, beauty spots
and natural delights
The village lies at the heart of England's only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which has an
exceptional range of wildlife habitats and is a rich source of
research for scientists. The sandy dunes of Braunton Burrows and
neighbouring Braunton Marshes are always popular with walkers, as
is the spectacular South
West Coast Path, which passes Braunton and then follows part of
the Tarka Trail along the River Taw.
Braunton activities
Cycling: Braunton has direct access to the Tarka
Trail - 30 miles of safe walking and cycle path along the
Taw Estuary into Barnstaple, towards Instow and Bideford, with
cycle hire available at many locations.
Watersports: nearby Saunton, Croyde and Woolacombe beaches are
very popular for watersports, and there are lots of instructors and
sports schools in the area, including Walking on
Waves.
Riding: riding a horse along saunton beach is not to be missed.
Try Roylands Riding Stables.
Golf: there are two championship courses at Saunton Golf
Club, with other courses at Ilfracombe, Woolacombe, Barnstaple
and Westward Ho!
Braunton events
Braunton's pubs hold regular music and open mic nights,
as well as quizzes. Nearby Croyde is known for its summer music
festival, Goldcoast Oceanfest.
Near Braunton
As well as Saunton and Croyde, nearby Woolacombe is an
ever popular family resort with a Blue Flag beach, more fabulous
waves and a great selection of amenities. At one end of Woolacombe
Bay, on the western side, you'l find the beautiful, unspoilt beach
of Putsborough, offering smaller surf. At the other end lies the
historic clifftop village of Mortehoe, full of tales of smuggling
and wreckers.
Braunton is also just a few miles from Georgeham, home in the
1920s to Henry Williamson, author of 'Tarka the Otter'. You
can savour delicious food and drink at the local pubs, The Rock Inn
and The King's Arms, as well as live music.
Other North Devon
attractions
Braunton is within easy distance of Exmoor National Park with its
breathtaking scenery, enjoyed by walkers, riders and cyclists.
Further afield, historic Appledore is a perfect destination for a stroll around the art galleries, followed by lunch at one of the many cosy cafes. A few miles along the coast, visitors are always impressed by the dramatic and dark brooding rocks of Hartland, and the quaint beauty of Clovelly, with its steep cobbled streets and working harbour. And if a boat trip appeals to you, don't miss the chance to visit Lundy island, accessible from Ilfracombe or Bideford.
More about the
area
Find out at Visit North Devon and Exmoor
