Saunton

Travel Guide

Saunton showing rugged coastline and a coastal town
Saunton showing tranquil scenes and a house
Saunton showing a house, a sandy beach and a coastal town
Saunton featuring a house and a sandy beach
Saunton which includes a beach
This tiny coastal village is situated in the beautiful North Devon countryside, with miles of beach offering fantastic surfing.

Enjoy long walks on Saunton’s beach and hit the waves for excellent surfing, particularly for beginners. Relax with a round of golf at the local course and enjoy great food and drink at the clubhouse. Explore the dunes and discover their importance during World War II.

Learn to surf on Saunton Beach, where the flat sands and slow-breaking waves provide excellent conditions for beginners. Grab a longboard if you’re more experienced and enjoy the fantastically shaped surf, which allows for longer rides. These qualities have made the beach a frequent host of British Longboard Union events.

Take long walks on the 3-mile (5-kilometer) beach and feel free to bring your dog along, as this is the only beach in the area which allows dogs year round. Enhance your tan when the weather is good or go for a swim. Wander the Braunton Burrows or book a World War II tour and learn about the role the area played in defending Britain from the Nazis.

The burrows are at the heart of North Devon's Biosphere Reserve. Explore the 55 square miles (140 square kilometers) of dunes and grasslands and watch for birds such as lapwings, whinchats and whitethroats.

Play a few rounds at Saunton Golf Course, the 36-hole course which has been open for over a hundred years. Enjoy a drink at the bar afterward and sample from the restaurant menu if you’re hungry.

Saunton’s nearest train station is Barnstaple it is served by buses from Barnstaple and Braunton. Visit in the summer to enjoy the best weather or avoid the crowds by arriving in the off-season.

Saunton Sands Hotel Source Spa and Wellness
Saunton Sands Hotel Source Spa and Wellness
4 out of 5
Saunton Sands Hotel, Braunton, England
The price is €227 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
€227
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Braunton. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (131 reviews)
"Great food and wonderful spa"

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2025

Saunton Sands Hotel Source Spa and Wellness
The Royal & Fortescue
The Royal & Fortescue
3 out of 5
Boutport Street, Barnstaple, England
The price is €82 per night from 23 Feb to 24 Feb
€82
includes taxes & fees
23 Feb - 24 Feb
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Barnstaple. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (563 reviews)
"Ideal location for Theatre. Second stay. Friendly staff. Were informed prior to stay that a party with music would be in progress up until midnight. Not a problem. Unfortunate disturbance at 5am when occupant of adjoining bedroom required attention after incident. No fault of management"

Reviewed on 16 Feb 2025

The Royal & Fortescue
The Royal George
The Royal George
3 out of 5
Irsha Street, Bideford, England
The price is €117 per night from 6 Mar to 7 Mar
€117
includes taxes & fees
6 Mar - 7 Mar
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in Bideford. Enjoy a restaurant. Popular attractions West Appledore and Instow Beach are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (31 reviews)
"Accommodation and food very good. Enjoyed our stay and would definitely book again."

Reviewed on 16 Feb 2025

The Royal George
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Mole Resort - Lodges
The Mole Resort - Lodges
4 out of 5
The Lodges at The Mole, Chittlehamholt, Umberleigh, England
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly villa in Umberleigh. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (61 reviews)
What a fantastic place!
"Wow, we had a 3 bedroom lodge with hot tub, and it was absolutely perfect 👌 Clean, spacious and beautiful views. Staff were very helpful, had to call as the boiler went off, they arrived promptly and fixed in 2mins. Shout out Will, great quiz and funny bingo night. Would come back in a heartbeat ..."

Reviewed on 23 Dec 2024

The Mole Resort - Lodges
House above the beach sleeps 4 with private parking
House above the beach sleeps 4 with private parking
Mortehoe
Stay at this vacation home in Woolacombe. Enjoy a garden, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
10/10 Exceptional! (182 reviews)
Amazing
"This house is absolutely amazing. It is so clean, comfortable and the views are spectacular. Helen was so helpful to us with a very short notice booking. Book here, you won't regret it, we were very lucky and had some incredible sunsets, it's not often you get to see the sun slowly sink into the ..."

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2025

House above the beach sleeps 4 with private parking
North Devon Resort
North Devon Resort
3.5 out of 5
Marlborough Rd, Ilfracombe, England
Stay at this 3.5-star beach apartment in Ilfracombe. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and onsite spa services. Popular attractions Woolacombe Beach ...
7.6/10 Good! (80 reviews)
"Lovely apartment. Very comfortable"

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2024

North Devon Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Saunton

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
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1 - Terrible
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1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We went to play golf at Saunton Sands - which was superb championship standard - and stayed at this nearby hotel because it was closeby.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

On a sunny day you could imagine you were abroad!