Real, curated ideas for Braunton — the Burrows, Crow Point, Saunton Sands and where to eat, filtered by who's actually with you.
Braunton is a large village inland of the beaches, and its claim is Braunton Burrows — the biggest sand dune system in England and a UNESCO biosphere reserve. It is a genuinely strange landscape of dunes, slacks and rare plants, and the American forces used it to rehearse the D-Day landings, leaving concrete mock landing craft still standing among the marram grass.
Crow Point at the southern tip is the other draw: a wild beach at the mouth of the Taw and Torridge, reached by a private toll road, with shipwrecks visible at low tide. Take coins — the barrier does not take cards, and there are no toilets down there.
The village itself is the practical base. Saunton Sands is five minutes west, Croyde ten, and Barnstaple and the Tarka Trail a few minutes east. The eating in Braunton is better than the beaches immediately around it would suggest.
Listings last checked: September 2026
A wild beach at the estuary mouth reached by a £2.50 toll road with a coin-operated barrier — no cards, so bring change. Boat wrecks visible at low tide, huge open sand and dune views across to Instow and Appledore. Gravel parking that gets muddy, and no toilets at all.
The largest dune system in England and a UNESCO biosphere reserve, with the concrete D-Day mock landing craft hidden among it. About fifteen minutes' flat walk from the car park to the dunes, then harder going. The slacks flood in winter and paths disappear — take your phone for navigation.
Across the estuary — a huge open beach behind a pebble ridge, with a visitor centre, café, clean toilets, ranger events and a lending library of beach toys. £8 a day to park on the sand; parts of the car park flood at high tide, so read the signs. Dogs on leads.
The headland walk out of Croyde, ten minutes west — a full loop is about two and a half miles with a flatter inland option for anyone who does not want the cliff edge. Lundy visible on a clear day. Car park is free for National Trust members.
A Devon Wildlife Trust island beside Braunton Marsh, flooded at high tide since the sea barrier was breached, and now excellent for birds. Best seen from the Great Sea Wall path between Velator Quay and Crow Point. Few reviews, but a genuinely good quiet walk.
The best-rated place to eat in Braunton, on Caen Street by the river — big breakfasts, a tight menu done properly, excellent fries and good vegetarian dishes. Dog friendly, open from 8.30 through to the evening. No separate children's menu, but they will sort something.
At Wrafton just outside the village, and famous locally for a carvery served every day that people describe as the best they have had. Dog friendly with a big car park. Check carvery times online — it gets a queue on Sundays.
Right beside Saunton Sands with indoor and outdoor seating and a proper kitchen — sea bass with crab risotto, good salads, coffee and cake. Dog friendly with decent space between tables. Booking sensible; service slows badly when it is full.
The village local on North Street, relaunched with live music, an open mic night, a beer garden and — unusually — an Indian kitchen and tapas nights. Good value and child friendly. Opens at one most days, three on Mondays and Sundays.