Perfect day out at the Gallery Lodges Braunton. Its so sunny and beautiful here.
The Gallery Lodges Braunton and Saunton Sands
The sea is warming up, surf is on the way and the sun seems to keep on shining. Just 2 minutes drive up the road from the Lodges we took one of our favourite walks. Past the stunning historic house and gardens through carpets of bue bells and wild garlic.
The Gallery Lodges Braunton and Saunton Sands
Over to look at Croyde Bay and then back through the trees down to Saunton Beach for a coffee and a cake and just squeezed in a pasty at the beach cafe. Rested and refreshed we headed back through the dunes to collect the car. Now you would think we couldn’t eat any more and life just couldn’t get better.
View over Croyde Bay.
But then we took a short trip round the headland to Down End Car Park and took home a Sri Lankan curry Tambapanni (See food Guide) from the Saturday Take out van and ate it on the Headland at Croyde.
View over Saunton Sands Beach and Hotel
If you are going to stay at the Lodges, just remember the food vans at Croyde Down End Car Park. The sign by the entrance is updated with the van schedule this season.
Down through the woods to Saunton sands
Saturday is the Sri Lankan Curry and its absolutely wonderful, well cooked and hits the spot every time.
Booking for the Lodges at www.thegallerylodges.co.uk or pm me.
Back through the dunes Path to Saunton
If you want to know where this stunning walk in you will have to visit ud at the Lodges or at the art studio www.petecaswell.co.uk
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.
Putsborough to Woolacombe cycle ride at back of dunes. View across the dunes 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.
Putsborough to Woolacombe cycle ride at back of dunes. Looking back to Woolacombe along the old road which was meant to link Woolacombe and Putsborough but never got complete.
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.
Putsborough to Woolacombe cycle ride at back of dunes. Narrow smooth trail to Putsborough.
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.
Putsborough to Woolacombe cycle ride at back of dunes. Can be tiny bit of mud here. Lovely wind swept trees.
Putsborough to Woolacombe cycle ride at back of dunes. Nearly there.
Hang around at the beach cafe for the inevitable sunset at Putsborough. Paintings of these Putsborough sunsets at www.petecaswell.co.uk
Putsborough to Woolacombe cycle ride at back of dunes
If you come on another day it might look like this.
Putsborough to Woolacombe cycle ride at back of dunes
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.
Putsborough surfing
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 saleWoolacombe and Putsborough paintings for sale
Woolacombe and Putsborough paintings for sale
Woolacombe and Putsborough paintings for sale
Woolacombe and Putsborough paintings for sale
Woolacombe and Putsborough paintings for sale
Woolacombe and Putsborough paintings for sale
Woolacombe and Putsborough paintings for saleWoolacombe and Putsborough paintings for saleWoolacombe and Putsborough paintings for saleWoolacombe and Putsborough paintings for sale
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.
Croyde BeachSaunton Sands Hotel to Croyde Walk via Down EndCroyde to Saunton Sands Hotel Walk via Down End
Start of the walk, heading to Down End along the coastal path.
Croyde to Saunton Sands Hotel Walk via Down End
Beautiful little inlets.
Croyde to Saunton Sands Hotel Walk via Down End
Views at Down End into the sea.
Croyde to Saunton Sands Hotel Walk via Down End
Great Bench at Down End.
Croyde to Saunton Sands Hotel Walk via Down End
Down End View from the bench – just great.
Croyde to Saunton Sands Hotel Walk via Down End
Looking back at the surf wistfully wishing you had a board with you.
Croyde to Saunton Sands Hotel Walk via Down End
Views out across Saunton Beach from the path.
Croyde to Saunton Sands Hotel Walk via Down End
Saunton sands beach, view from above Saunton Sands Hotel. A beach of great character and contrast with ever changing moods, light and colours.
Croyde to Saunton Sands Hotel Walk via Down End
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.
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.
Croyde to Putsborough walk round Baggy Point
Croyde to Putsborough walk round Baggy Point
2 cafes at the start of the walk and one at Putsborough to keep you fueled.
Croyde to Putsborough walk round Baggy Point
Short Option, follow the headland path and then loop back on the slightly higher path on the Croyde side of the bay.
Croyde to Putsborough walk round Baggy Point
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.
Croyde to Putsborough walk round Baggy Point
Views back to Croyde bay on way to Putsborough
Croyde to Putsborough walk round Baggy PointCroyde to Putsborough walk round Baggy Point
Heading towards Putsborough.
Croyde to Putsborough walk round Baggy Point
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??
Croyde to Putsborough walk round Baggy Point
View of Croyde Headland on the way back to Croyde.
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.
Braunton To Croyde Walk from the Gallery Lodges
Views from the hill top over the other side to Croyde, Putsborough and Woolacombe.
Braunton To Croyde Walk from the Gallery Lodges
Views over Croyde Bay and Lovely descent through the woods into Croyde
Braunton To Croyde Walk from the Gallery LodgesBraunton To Croyde Walk from the Gallery LodgesDestination Croyde Beach
Head down into Croyde through the lanes. Stop off in the village for refreshment.
Easy Option Catch the bus back, or better catch 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 laybys and starting the walk from there making for a mid size walk.
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
view from Saunton Sands Hotel and B3231
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 Sunset
Croyde beach – Beautiful unspoilt beach with and dunes
Croyde Beach sunset
Stunning headland walks around Baggy Point.
Croyde headland walks
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.
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
Saunton Beach near Braunton
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.
Cycling at Saunton Beach
Backed by the largest dune system in Europe, The Braunton UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Walks along the beach, through the dunes and to the estuary.
Saunton Beach and the Braunton Sand Dunes
Amazing reflections on the sand
Saunton Beach and the Braunton Sand Dunes
Great long boarders beach of world class standard with a mellow peeling wave. Bring a board or hire one at Saunton Sands.
Saunton Beach in the evening near to Braunton
Gig racing at the popular Saunton Sands beach.
Gig Racing at Saunton Beach near Braunton
See Pete Caswell’s paintings of Saunton Sands beach on his website
