Interesting information
Braunton Burrows is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a very important part of the Northern Devon Biosphere Reserve.
Braunton Burrows
Copyright Dietmar Rabich via Wikimedia Commons
Braunton Burrows
- About this route
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Lying at the entrance to the Taw-Torridge Estuary, Braunton Burrows is one of the most important sand dune systems in Britain and forms the core of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
This extensive site extends 5km from north to south and is up to 1½ km wide. It supports a wide variety of habitats including flooded dune slacks, flower-rich grassland and scrub. In turn, these are home to a huge number of plants and animals. For example, the Burrows supports over 400 flowering plants, including rarities such as sea stock (see photo below) and water germander, and 33 species of butterflies have been recorded. The site is also of interest for its birds, including wintering waterfowl and an assemblage of breeding birds that include wheatear, skylark and meadow pipit.
Sea Stock by Peter Wakely, Natural England
The nearby Northam Burrows Country Park (across the estuary at SS445308) hosts a range of coastal habitats including saltmarsh, a cobble ridge and a system of dunes rich in plants.
- Getting Around
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On foot: The South West Coast Path runs just inland of the dunes and links with the Tarka Trail (and then to Braunton and Barnstaple).
By bus and train: There are bus links to Barnstaple and nearby Braunton. Barnstaple has a train station.
By bike: The Tarka Trail provides a good cycle route from Barnstaple to Braunton along the Taw-Torridge Estuary.
By Car: A number of small roads lead to the Burrows from nearby Braunton. Car parking is available off Sandy Lane.
- Facilities
- Saunton has car parking, toilets, refreshments and shops. Some areas of Braunton Burrows subject to closure for military training and management.
- Terrain
- Sand dunes and footpaths.
- Accessibility
You can explore more in this area
long-walks
329kms
South West Coast Path
Over the centuries fishermen, coastguards and smugglers have helped to create this historic path – now Britain’s longest National Trail
160kms
Two Moors Way (Devon’s Coast to Co..
Running for just over 100 miles/160km between Ivybridge in the south and Lynmouth in the north, this famous path links
261kms
Tarka Trail walking route
Inspired by Henry Williamson’s much loved novel ‘Tarka the Otter’ which was based on real places, this 163 miles/261kms recreationcycle
52kms
The Tarka Trail (Braunton – Meeth)
Stretching for over 52km / 32 miles from Braunton to Barnstaple, then to Instow, Bideford, Great Torrington and on toaccessible-walks
37kms