Saunton Sands - Image 1

Saunton Sands

, United Kingdom•4.8(664)•Beaches, Nature Reserve

Explore a stunning 3-mile golden sand beach backed by a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve, perfect for families, surfers, and dog walkers year-round.

Saunton Sands Beach in North Devon is an idyllic 3-mile stretch of golden sand located between the villages of Braunton and Croyde. The beach is backed by the UNESCO-protected Braunton Burrows Biosphere Reserve, creating a visually stunning natural setting that provides an excellent introduction to the regional coastline. The beach is renowned for some of the country's best surf, with a high tidal range of 8.5 metres and long, slow waves that attract surfers throughout the year. Beyond water sports, the beach welcomes families of all ages with comprehensive facilities including the Beachside Grill restaurant (open seasonally with both indoor and outdoor seating), beach shop, and seasonal beach hut and deckchair hire. Surf hire and lessons are available on-site through local providers. Saunton Sands is genuinely dog-friendly year-round with no summer restrictions, and offers accessibility support for visitors with disabilities. On-site dog-friendly accommodation at Saunton Beach Villas provides convenient lodging options. The venue is highly family-oriented, catering to young children through to teenagers, with easy-to-locate facilities and helpful staff in the car park ready to assist visitors with any questions.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Opening Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Venue Details

Venue Type

Indoor & Outdoor

Typical visit duration

All day

Booking

Walk-in

Recommended ages

0 months (newborn) – 12 years

What this place offers

ToiletsToilets
Public transportPublic transport nearby
Accessible toilets
Free WiFi
Baby changingBaby changing facilities
Food available
On-site parking
🐕Dog-friendly
Parking nearby
Pushchair friendlyPushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

Beachside Grill

Licensed restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating offering food and beverages

Hours: Seasonal

Visit website
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Google Reviews

4.8(664 reviews)
K
Katie Milton

Katie Milton

2 months ago

Love Saunton sands. Great for dogs, surgery and swimmers. Obviously busy on high days and holidays.

S
Sandie Gilbert

Sandie Gilbert

4 months ago

Saunton Sands is a beautiful, year round, dog friendly beach. We have been here many times & have enjoyed all the amenities that are provided. The cafe with tables outside on the left as you go down the slope, didnt make very good coffee so that was a little disappointing 😑. I think we were all thinking about it on our way back along the beach, as we were all thirsty. This is a great beach with lovely soft, golden sands, dunes & we would recommend it to anyone who loves a day at the beach.

P
Paul Jessop

Paul Jessop

5 months ago

A great long beach perfect walking the dog. Contactless parking without needing to download an app. Cafe is great, restaurant looks good, but I’ve not actually used it. Nice surf shop as well. Love it here.

S
sneffi12

sneffi12

9 months ago

Beautiful place! This is the pictures of the dunes and you can walk for hours. Highly recommended but is a 2.5 mile walk to the beach from here. There is parking further up off the main road that takes you directly to the beach. The parking for the dunes was £2.50 which is fair and the sights are worth it. Just try to memorise way back

D
Dave Shields Fitness (DSHFitness)

Dave Shields Fitness (DSHFitness)

11 months ago

What a great Beach! The sun was out and the surf was up….kind of, we were here for August bank holiday Monday so got here at around 10am ….and at 10.30am they were heading up the road with the car park full/closed signs, so get here early. There is a great little beach hut cafe selling pasties and rolls , coffee etc also a little shop selling beach tat. There is also a restaurant there for the more refined palate. There is a surf shop and surf school for all your surfing needs. The beach itself was clean and massive! Check the tide times…at low tide it’s quite a walk to get to the sea. I took the kids body boarding which they loved…the waves were big enough without being scary and we never ventured over waist depth. It’s dog friendly so plenty of ankle biters yapping and changing around but not too much of a nuisance. We took our own gear but you can hire everything there if you want to, including windbreaks, chairs, even beach tents…they do a complete beach camp set up for £20 there’s even huts available for £30. All in all a fab day was had by all, topped off by having fish and chips at squires in nearby Braunton.

Reviews last updated: 7 October 2026

Events at Saunton Sands

No upcoming events scheduled

Check back soon for new events at this venue.

This venue was last updated on 7 October 2026

Frequently asked questions about Saunton Sands

Is Saunton Sands free to visit?

Saunton Sands is a paid attraction — see the official website for current ticket prices.

What ages is Saunton Sands suitable for?

Saunton Sands is suitable from newborn up to age 12.

Is Saunton Sands dog-friendly?

Yes, dogs are welcome at Saunton Sands.

Is there parking at Saunton Sands?

Yes, Saunton Sands has on-site parking.

Is there food at Saunton Sands?

Yes — Beachside Grill is on site at Saunton Sands. Licensed restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating offering food and beverages

Is Saunton Sands pushchair-friendly?

Yes, Saunton Sands is pushchair, pram and buggy friendly — most areas are step-free so you can navigate easily with little ones in tow.

How long should we plan to spend at Saunton Sands?

Saunton Sands is a full-day experience — plan accordingly.

How do I get to Saunton Sands by public transport?

Saunton Sands isn't on a major public transport route — driving is recommended.

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