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 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.
Take a short trip to the Braunton Burrows when you stay at The Gallery Lodges.
We have free maps of this area in the lodges so you can explore it all.
Set off up the big dune, makes a good landmark for finding your way backSahara Desert arrives in Braunton
One of the largest sand dune areas in Europe and a Unesco Biosphere reserve, its really worth a visit.
In the Dunes view over to Saunton Sands Hotel. Keep going and you get to a really deserted section of Saunton sands Beach – Beautiful.
You can walk, cycle or drive to the start where there is a reasonably priced car park, about 1.5 miles away.
Big Dune and the gun placement still there from WW2. Feels like you are in the Sahara Desert sometimes. The DDay landings were here in a big way before the real event in France.
Take a walk from the car park and walk to a deserted stretch of saunton sands beach or do a loop to Crow Point. On the way – wild flowers, water slacks, WW2 relics from the DDay landings and the odd real life army excersize.
Savannah grass-scape everywhere with lots of tracks to get lost
The area is home to a large number of resident and migratory birds along with the estuary. It is a superb place to bird-spot and hear the plethora of bird song. Throughout the seasons you will see all the different migratory birds as they pass through. Many of the birds you can also see at The Gallery Lodges as they feed in the meadows marshland and woodland which surround the lodges which encompasses 2 SSSI reserves. As if this wasn’t enough of Birds and wild flowers there is also the Braunton Marshes wetland system which adjoins the estuary and inlet to Braunton. More, there is more still, but that’s another blogg page.
Wild Flowers in abundance May June July depending on the weatherIf you’re a fan of orchids you will find them carpeting areas of the dunes and plenty of variety.
You should end up like this if you get it right. take a drink with you and even a pic nicThe flowers even grow in the old gun emplacement in the middle of Big Dune
The Final Frontier as you reach the beach after the walk across the Dunes. We cheated and cycled but it is very tricky on the sand.
At Last the beach and you can see there is no one here usually. Cycle to Saunton Sands Hotel from here for coffee and then back to The Gallery Lodges along the road.Go the other way round Crow point, but the sand gets a bit hard going. Possible but hard work…..could be worth it though!
Saunton Beach near Braunton
Looking out to sea from the Dunes on the way back to the car park or walk up to Saunton Sands Hotel and catch the bus back to The Gallery Lodges .
Alternative route to Crow Point.Crow Point at SunsetEstuary at Crow Point at Sunset
Cycling is really beautiful in the area around the lodges at Braunton near to Saunton. If you come to visit then do bring your bike. We have maps at the lodges for all the cycle routes in the area, produced by http://croydecycle.co.uk/ . From level rides to the estuary or a challenging route to Woolacombe there is a satisfying collection of routes to keep you out and about.
You can ride on the Tarka Trail from Braunton near The Gallery Lodges; cycle to the beach; or head out into the rolling, rural lanes of North Devon and challenge yourself on National Cycle route 27.
Here we describe a level 20 minute route through the back lanes to join the Tarka Trail in Braunton:
Moor Lane as you leave the Lodges at Braunton
The Tarka trail proper starts 1.4 miles from the Lodges but a beautiful stretch of country lanes link you to the trail at Vellator Quay in Braunton.
From the gates to the entrance of Pete Caswell’s Art studio and The Gallery Lodges, turn right and cycle down Moor Lane where you approach the dunes through quiet country lanes, with wheat and potato fields surrounding. Before you have even turned a pedal you pass on the right two SSSI reserves of ancient woodland and a special wetland habitat, Swan Pool Marsh.
To your left is Braunton Great Field, a medieval field system underlies this open area which is a bountiful vegetable field. You will skirt the edge of the great field all the way to the Tarka Trail.
Braunton Great Field a medieval field system
Asparagus and market gardening dot the landscape and the sea air is bright and fresh. Dave the local farmer, opposite the Lodge’s entrance farms the asparagus and much of the amazing crops you see growing, including the swede for our Devon pasties.
At the end of Moor Lane turn a left onto Sandy Lane and head along more fields of asparagus and cauliflower with views of the dunes to the right. Depending on the time of year you might get treated to poppies and wild flowers in the fields or daffodils which line the hedges from when this area was a major daffodil growing land before the war.
Swans on BrauntonMarshes
The Braunton Burrows biosphere through which you cycle is a very special area of rare dune habitats and wet lands, profuse with wild flowers, orchids and many migrating wild birds. So on the way to the Tarka trail you might just want to stop off here. See extension notes below.
Ancient landscape of the Marshes and Braunton Great field near to the Lodges
If you’re not detouring to Sandy Lane car park and the American Road, look out for the next left turn where the scenery begins to change again into wetlands and marshes which is Braunton Marshes. Swans, rare birds and yellow irises can often be seen here.
Yellow Irises on the Marshes along the way
Keep going along this road. Look out to the right and you will see the toll road off to Crow point, another cycle ride for later on ( keep going straight on for the Tarka Trail).
At the end of the road you come to a roundabout. To your right you will see the Tarka Trail which will take you to Barnstaple past the pub on the estuary and a lovely garden centre. Please see our other Tarka Trail blog for more on this.
If you wish to return to the Lodges from here follow the cycle path by the pedestrian crossing lights back to the village car park and then join Saunton Road to return to The Gallery Lodges.
Extending your bike ride on The American Road:
The American Road extension to the route
To make a longer route, about an extra 30 minutes, and explore the area more, continue on Sandy Lane to the car park at the end.
Here you need to cycle straight on through to ‘The American Road’, so you will need to pass 2 big gates, often locked to stop cars. To do this turn left in the car park and cycle down the length of the car park next to the track, you will see that at the end you can go over a raised bank and nip back on the American Road (at the left hand corner.) A long straight stretch of un-surfaced, but level track leads you on towards Crow Point.
Wild flowers on Braunton Burrows
On this extended route you will cycle with the North Devon Biosphere sand dunes on your right, which are Europe’s biggest sand dune reserve. The fields of the Marshes are to your right. Look out for butterflies and bees – there are some rare finds to be had here.
Crow point and the estuary meet you at the end of the lane, with views towards Appledore and Instow and the Torridge Estuary. A few boats are moored here waiting for the tides to come in.
Detour out to Crow Point on the way to the Tarka Trail
After admiring the views you need to find your way back to the track which will lead you to a car park and paved road. With your back to the estuary you need to cycle inland back the way you came, just a little (100m) and then look out for a right turn. There is also a white house at the start of the paved road, so aim for that.
Now you follow the road, coast path and the sea defences on a beautiful single track toll road back towards Braunton and Vellator Quay. It’s worth popping up onto the path here to look at the new Wetland area, which was farmland until recent sea breaches washed away the sluice gate. Don’t walk into this wetland though, it is tidal and unsafe.
At the end of the toll road take a right and you will pass Vellator Quay and arrive at a roundabout. This is the point you can join the Tarka Trail or head home. See above.
Bikes can be hired in Braunton & Barnstaple. We have free maps in the Lodges of the Tarka Trail and the local area for cycling, walking and exploring.
New Hotel at Braunton near to Saunton Sands Golf club. In between Saunton sands and Braunton set in 7 acres of grounds are some new garden luxury garden suites in the ground of Pete Caswell’s art studio.
The Gallery Lodges
Its not exactly a hotel, but that is where the original concept came from. We selected the best ideas from travel accommodation around the globe and designed these lodges to fit out dreams of a perfect stay.
Your hotel suite is in a Flower Meadows in the Spring and summer
The plan for the buildings was based on a hotel room, but not any room, a suite, not any suite, a garden suite in the grounds of a hotel. I love staying in hotel rooms they have a great atmosphere (in the right hotel) and they are kind of sexy for that weekend get away break.
King Size Bed and views to the meadows.
Unlike a holiday house they don’t remind you of home so you can shut off much more easily, relax and get into the holiday mood.
Look at all that space and light outside your hotel room
Just like a luxury hotel room we fitted them out beautifully with marble bathrooms and high class fittings. A big King Size bed (Super King size in suite 2) to spread out on comfortable new mattresses.
King Size Beds
Then there is the downside to a hotel room, the noise, the corridors, the room service interruptions in the morning, the lack of fresh air, the views of the car park, getting up for breakfast, miniature rooms, and no where to make a quick snack, too cold, too hot, grumpy staff lack of parking…..Okay the list goes on and not all hotels have these downsides but we’ve all been there and been disappointed.
The lounge area with colourful paintings
So when I designed these room, I made the bedroom so you could get to the bed from both sides, I put two windows in with great views to two sides and a nice high ceiling. Usb ports for the phone and a nice big wardrobe. Then just like a hotel room suite I put in a colourful comfortable sofa for two, looking straight out through floor to ceiling French door over the meadows outside. With a hardwood deck outside you can stroll out without even putting your slippers on. Why bother with slippers, just heat the floor, so we put in underfloor heating throughout and super insulated them so even in inter you will be nice and snug. Walnut floors and kitchen with oak doors and stainless fittings add a quality feel.
New Bathroom, walk in shower, marble tiles and oak floor underfloor heating
Over head we have a yacht sail to shade the deck should the sun get too intense, and by using hardwood and stainless yacht fittings you might get an inkling your on a boat, but without all that wobbling about (unless you’ve been on the booze again)
Hardwood Decking Area Outside
In the lounge area we fitted a nice little snack and drinks area for no charge, walnut cupboards and marble top with a little hob, toaster, kettle and full size fridge just in case you get hungry. In the corner is a small dining area and 32″ TV. Wi-Fi as well for free.
Kitchen area for snacks and small meals
Well to get rid of the grumpy staff we omitted the reception area, just call in at the Art Studio for the key. And to stop you getting too drunk we removed the bar. To stop you getting to fat we took out the restaurant. Instead of a gym we gave you bit of exersize, a walk about 20 mins into Braunton to a large range of fun cafes, pubs and restaurants. This not only keeps you fit but walks off all that alcohol on the way back home to stop you getting a headache in the morning.
Parking outside the art gallery in spring with the Japanese Cherry blossom
Room service went out the window so you can stay in bed all day without the cleaner joining you(however we do offer an optional bed change during your stay( for a small fee).
Children are banned so you won’t get squawking kids during the school holidays. 7 acres in all, fenced in securely with electric fences to keep the crowds away during the peak periods (its for the horses we have, but it does the trick at keeping the children and crowds out too)
Horses in some of the fields surrounding you hotel room
Then I nearly forgot, the whole reason we built the lodges was somewhere to put my art collection in such lovely buildings. Just like a high class 5 start hotel with its little boutique art galleries and art projects, visiting artists etc, we did this backwards and the art gallery built the suites to house some of the best art work from the studio.
So if you have a little too much time on your hands or a bit too much money in your wallet, then you can indulge your self in a visit to the art gallery and see some of Pete Caswell’s beautiful art work from sunsets, yacht races to skiing and snowboarding paintings at all you favourite resorts in the Alps. You don’t even have to visit the gallery as we have thought of that as well. Each lodge has its own little display of Pete’s art to colour and brighten up you day. Pete’s paintings can be seen for sale on www.petecaswell.co.uk
Colourful large painting for sail of surfing at Saunton Sands Beach near Braunton.
Hotel Suite Number three is the ski lodge with all the latest skiing and snowboarding paintings (Do check first though as being an artist things are liable to change). If you are like me, in the middle of summer all you can think about is the first powder of the season. So here it is a lodge you can feel like you are skiing in all year without all the hard work. http://petecaswell.co.uk/wp2/product-category/ski-snowboard-paintings/
Courmayeur and Chamonix skiing painting in the French Alps looking up to Mt Blanc
Lodge number two if for the inevitable getting older and less mobile. With a few assistive grab rails in the bathroom and a wheelchair ramp to the entrance and low threshold doors make mobility easier. All the thresholds are level with no nasty bumps or raised thresholds to trip you up. But wait there with a bit of clever design and custom manufacture we managed to discreetly hide all these extra features so you feel normal again with all those unsightly fittings spoiling the beauty of the bathroom. Take a look it looks beautiful.
I do hope you like the hotel garden lodges which I have built for you. Are they a hotel room, a hotel suite, a lodge or a holiday let. I’ll let you decide. In my mind they are a luxury hotel suite carefully placed and thoughtfully created in the middle of a beautiful hay meadow. If I stayed at a hotel again, this is how I would like it. They are chilled out with low fuss and hassle, peaceful and calming. Please help to keep it this way.
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
