Saunton Sands

Saunton Sands is a wide sandy beach on the North Devon coast near Braunton. The beach stretches from the mouth of the River Taw estuary at Crow Point to the Saunton Sands Hotel at the northern end. It lies within the Taw-Torridge estuary Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the North Devon’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Braunton Burrows, a large sand dune system, sits at the heart of this protected landscape. The beach is exposed to westerly winds, making it popular with longboard surfers. The beach is known for military exercises when parts of it are closed for beach landings by Royal Air Force Lockheed C-130 Hercules planes. Kite flying is banned on the section used for these landings. The beach has no lifeguards and strong riptides make swimming dangerous. In 1990 it recorded the highest temperature in Devon and Cornwall at 35.4 °C. These conditions attract experienced surfers but caution is advised. Visitors find a long open beach backed by dunes and grassland. The shoreline is wide and sandy, ideal for surfers when conditions allow. The northern end near the hotel offers views across the beach and estuary. The southern end at Crow Point provides a quieter setting where the river meets the sea. The beach has appeared in films including *The Shout* and *Edge of Tomorrow*, and music videos such as Robbie Williams’ *Angels*.