Tag Archives: croyde

A Perfect Day for a Walk near the Gallery Lodges

Gallery April 22, 2017 petelodge Leave a comment

It’s a perfect day at The Gallery Lodges, Braunton: sunny and beautiful. The sea is warming up and the surf is on it’s way, but for now we are happy to be taking in the views from dry land. Here is a short walk we enjoy when the beaches and car parks are open.

Grassy parking space behind St Anne’s Church in Saunton

The Gallery Lodges Braunton and Saunton Sands

Just 2 minutes drive up the road from the Lodges we park on the small grassy area behind St Anne’s church at Saunton. This is the start of one of our favourite short walks.

We take the track up past the stunning historic manor house and gardens through carpets of blue bells and wild garlic.

Climbing up the steep open field track, we pause and take in the views back towards Braunton.
In late summer this is also a great spot to look our for field and horse mushrooms.
At the top the vista of Saunton Sands and the sand dunes comes into view, along with the distant Hartland Peninsular.
We keep walking beyond the ruined house and take the final brow to look over at Croyde Bay, before back tracking to find the stile leading to the stepped path, through the trees down to Saunton Beach. Here’s our chance to stop for a coffee and a cake, or squeezed in a pasty at the beach cafe. Rested and refreshed we head back on the coast path linked to the car park exit road. 400m back along the main road we cut thourgh St Anne’s church yard and back to collect the car. Now you would think we couldn’t eat any more and life just couldn’t get better.

But then we took a short trip round the headland to Croyde for the Saturday night Sri Lankan curry -Tambapanni.

Croyde to Saunton Sands Hotel Walk via Down End — View over Saunton Sands Beach and Hotel

Booking for the Lodges at www.thegallerylodges.co.uk or pm me.

If you want to know where this stunning walk in you will have to visit us at the Lodges or at the art studio www.petecaswell.co.uk

Updated 1 May 2020.

Nearly Back to the Gallery Lodges. — Nearly Back to car. The church yard with wild garlic.

Cycle rides near the lodges, Scenic routes near the lodges

Woolacombe to Putsborough Cycle Ride from The Gallery Lodges

Gallery September 24, 2015 petelodge Leave a comment

Cycle ride starts at The Gallery Lodges and climbs over the tops through the back lanes into the views open up over the ocean.

Putsborough to Woolacombe cycle ride at back of dunes. Descent into Woolacombe

Then the stunning drop down into Woolacombe. High speed and great fun but be careful. Then stop for a tea in Woolacombe or head back to Putsborough.

Extensions to this ride, from Woolacombe could go further North up to Mortehoe, Lee Bay, Ilfracombe, Combe Martin and back via Mullacott Cross then taking the long downhill all the way back to Braunton. Feeling fit then follow the coast road on the North Coast right up to Lynton, what a stunner, but a lot of ups and downs and a long way.

You can just about do this trail on a road bike but needs care and less speed. Stone trail pictured here, you need to go on the edge to avoid the bumpiest stones.

Heading up towards Putsborough.Trail gets a bit narrower here. After heavy rain could be tricky on your road bike, but I’ve done it. Worth it for the views.

Hang around at the beach cafe for the inevitable sunset at Putsborough. Paintings of these Putsborough sunsets at www.petecaswell.co.uk

If you come on another day it might look like this.

You could come back with your surf board and surf this magical beach the next day. Avoid bank holidays and busy weekends as the traffic can be a killer on the narrow lane access.

See if you can find this photo in the paintings below.

Take a look at all the paintings by Pete Caswell of this route by Pete Caswell on www.petecaswell.co.uk

Woolacombe and Putsborough paintings for sale

See more paintings of Putsborough and Woolacombe at www.petecaswell.co.uk

Scenic routes near the lodges, Walks near the lodges

Walk from Saunton Sands Hotel to Croyde via Down End

Gallery July 12, 2015 petelodge Leave a comment

There are a few places to start this walk. Park at – Saunton Sands, below Saunton Sands Hotel or Croyde to make it a loop and cut back over the hill inbetween Croyde and Braunton.

As its cheaper to park at Croyde than Saunton sands, start at Down End car park, on way to Croyde.

Views over Croyde Beach at the start.

Saunton Sands Hotel to Croyde Walk via Down End

Start of the walk, heading to Down End along the coastal path.

Beautiful little inlets.

Views at Down End into the sea.

Great Bench at Down End.

Down End View from the bench – just great.

Looking back at the surf wistfully wishing you had a board with you.

Views out across Saunton Beach from the path.

Saunton sands beach, view from above Saunton Sands Hotel. A beach of great character and contrast with ever changing moods, light and colours.

View on the way back from Saunton Sands Hotel to Croyde.

Don’t miss the start of the walk back from the Saunton Side, its opposite Saunton Sands Hotel.

You can call in at Saunton Sands Hotel for food and drinks or try the cafes below the Hotel for cheaper refreshments.

Views back over to Croyde from Hill top.

Cafe back at Down End Car Park and Croyde.

Scenic routes near the lodges, Walks near the lodges

Croyde Headland Walk to Baggy Point from The Gallery Lodges

Gallery July 12, 2015 petelodge Leave a comment

You can do a long walk round Baggy point starting at the Gallery Lodges, but it is a long one, involving the Coastal Path – Braunton Burrows, Saunton Beach, Down End Headland and Croyde Beach. Best to drive to the National Trust Car Park at the far side of Croyde and start there. Free maps in the Gallery Lodges of the local walks.

The path to the headland, Baggy point.

Croyde to Putsborough walk round Baggy Point

Don’t look down, its a long way.

2 cafes at the start of the walk and one at Putsborough to keep you fueled.

Short Option, follow the headland path and then loop back on the slightly higher path on the Croyde side of the bay.

Longer Option. From the headland pick up the path to Putsborough and then loop back to Croyde using the paths over the top of the hill.

Views back to Croyde bay on way to Putsborough

Heading towards Putsborough.

Looking up to Woolacombe from above Putsborough. Dilema, do you drop down into Puts for the cafe or climb the headland to head back to the cafes of Croyde??

View of Croyde Headland on the way back to Croyde.

Nearly back in Croyde.

Scenic routes near the lodges, Walks near the lodges

Braunton To Croyde Walk from The Gallery Lodges

Gallery July 12, 2015 petelodge Leave a comment

This walk starts from the Gallery Lodges. Cross the main road, walk up West Meadow Road, turn right at the top and look for the alley on the left. Left at the top of the alley and you are on the path. Free maps at the Gallery Lodges so you don’t get lost.

Braunton To Croyde Walk from the Gallery Lodges

Views looking back to Braunton, the estuary and Great Field as you climb the lane.

Views from the hill top over the other side to Croyde, Putsborough and Woolacombe.

Views over Croyde Bay and Lovely descent through the woods into Croyde

Head down into Croyde through the lanes. Stop off in the village for refreshment.

Easy option catch the bus back, or begin by catching the bus to Croyde and do the walk backwards.

Mid option. Retrace your way back using a slightly different walk for the Croyde side.

Long Option – Walk through the central path to the beach and back round the headland to Saunton Sands Hotel and back along the beach, through the dunes and back down sandy Lane and Moor Lane to the Gallery Lodges. This can also be done by parking at Saunton below Saunton Sands Hotel or on the lay-bys and starting the walk from there making for a mid size walk.

Scenic routes near the lodges, Walks near the lodges

Croyde Beach Near to Braunton and Saunton Sands Hotel

Gallery May 14, 2015 petelodge Leave a comment

About 2.5 miles by car from the Luxury Gallery Lodges at Braunton is the famous beach at Croyde. From the Gallery Lodges drive up the B3231 passing Saunton Sands Golf club, then past the Saunton Sands Hotel. Then just as you pass the Hotel, wow

what a vista as Saunton Sands beach, dunes and surf opens up on the left with views all the way to Instow and Appledore.

Croyde beach – Beautiful unspoilt beach with and dunes

Stunning headland walks around Baggy Point.

World class A Frame wave can be tricky and fast at Croyde. Surf is popular with surfers year round. Don’t forget to stop just past Saunton Sands hotel to check ho the surf at Saunton is working before checking out Croyde. Tides and swells work very differently at these two beaches.

Amazing sunsets at Croyde Beach near to Braunton

As well as the luxury Lodges at Braunton, we have a holiday house at Croyde for 4 persons to rent. http://croydeholidayhouse.co.uk/

See Pete Caswell’s paintings of Croyde bay at www.petecaswell.co.uk

Croyde beach, big waves and burning bracken

Cycle rides near the lodges, Scenic routes near the lodges, Walks near the lodges

Saunton Sands Beach near Braunton

Gallery May 14, 2015 petelodge Leave a comment

Saunton beach is 1.8 miles by car from the Lodges at Braunton. There is an amazing view of this beach from the main road to Croyde. Nearby is Saunton Sands Hotel and Saunton sands Gof Club.

Try out Pete Caswell’s Luxury Lodges at Braunton which you can stay in near to Saunton Sands Beach. These Lodges are beautiful and more like a luxury Hotel suite teleported into a wild flower meadow than anything else. Check them out The Gallery Lodges

Its a stunning beach with big vistas and big skies. Its great for a cycle ride. There are many great bike rides here, bring your bikes for coastal cycling.