General
The beach at Saunton Sands lies 7 miles west of the north Devon town of Barnstaple and is a splendid expanse of sand backed by an extensive area of dunes and marsh known as Braunton Burrows.

The area, which has been designated a 'biosphere reserve' by UNESCO, is in large part owned by Christie Estates.

Getting There

Google Map

MultiMap

O.S. Map Ref: SS445345

By Car

Barnstaple may be reached by road via the A361 from the westbound M5, the A377 from Exeter,or the A39 from the direction of north Cornwall. Train services run from the main line at Exeter.

From the town take the A361 to Braunton and then left on to the B3231 to reach Saunton where a (paying) car park is available near the Saunton Sands Hotel. From there, strike out southwards on foot to reach area used by naturists - may be up to two miles at high season. Reports suggest that this car park may get full at busy times.

"The Crow Point car park is very easy to get to, it's free and it's just around the corner."

By Public Transport

Barnstaple is the terminus of the railway line from Exeter. The Saunton area is served by Stagecoach 308 bus service between Barnstaple, Croyde and Georgeham.

Description
Saunton Sands is a three mile long expanse of sandy beach (what else!) facing due west and cut off to the south by the combined estuaries of the rivers Taw and Torridge. Behind the beach is a large area of sand dunes - Braunton Burrows - which are home to a golf course, a nature reserve and Ministry of Defence training areas ( marked "Danger Area" on O.S.maps). The last of these features are unlikely to be a problem at holiday times - but further information my be available from the car park attendant at Saunton.

The beach is reported to be clean and the sea unpolluted. When the tide, wind and sea combine in the correct proportion Saunton can produce excellent surfing conditions - at such times swimmers should exercise proper caution. The exact part of the beach used by naturists may well vary according to the number of textile visitors - arriving early and setting the trend my well encourage others to join you.

Some years ago work took place on upgrading the beach car park and kiosk area, including installing a new toilet and shower block. That coincided with some high profile reporting in the local paper of women and children being 'surprised' to encounter nude men in the dunes area. Perhaps as a result there was some police activity in the Braunton Burrows area but this is thought to have been discontinued. Patrolling is now done by spare beach car park attendants in estate uniforms.

At times Marines from the nearby RMB Chivenor may use the beach and dunes for exercises.

As at all beaches, naturist visitors to Saunton Sands should behave with consideration for other beach users.

Facilities

Selected Visitor Comments

June 2004 - "I've used this beach for many years with no problem whatsoever. No approach from wardens, disgruntled textiles, plod, nothing. Not so much as a disapproving look. And that includes the local marines. It's a long walk to the sea, and a bit further to get out of your depth for a swim, that's the only problem as far as I'm concerned."

December 2004 - "... I have quite successfully used the beach for many years now... I have only once had a confrontation with the [police] which was a reasonably polite request to desist from using the beach as a naturist. I did so for the remainder of that year, but have returned regularly since. It is an ideal area to relax..."

June 11, 2008 - "I will always park at Crow point and walk half way along the beach and pitch myself at the very top of the beach close to where it meets the dunes as I then would not upset anybody...and have often taken the sometimes long walk to the water totally naked but carrying my bikini bottoms with me and maybe a t-shirt... of all the UK beaches [I find this] to be the most relaxed and to be honest, if I can pitch myself near other naturists I often do as then it is at least contained to an area and not everywhere you look and I have also struck up some great conversations with likeminded sun loving individuals... Just walk half way along the beach and you'll be lucky to see more than 10 people a day but all of these will almost certainly be walking at the waters edge or the centre of the beach so there is plenty of room at the top... Just look out for windbreaks at the top of the beach as this is almost certainly going to be a naturist..."

June 18, 2008 - "Saunton is one of the finest beaches in the county and to not get naked on it and enjoy its wild open expanse as nature intended is to deny your humanity. I went with my girlfriend a few weeks ago and we sunbathed naked in the dunes, but she got nervous about walking to the sea in the buff and I kept my cossie on in deference. But I may not be so shy about it next time..."

July 03, 2008 - "...I have used this beach loads of times and have encountered on no more than one occasion the local Marines on exercises - with no problems at all, in fact some of them use it themselves using local knowledge of quiet areas. If you do not bother anybody and it is easy to do this then just enjoy being naked under the sun is easy. It is a beautiful secluded beach... and is gorgous for sunbathing... just use your common sense and do not bother others."

John, July 14, 2008 - "...[Saunton is] amazing! I walked a fair distance down the beach before settling near the dunes and taking my trunks off. After a while I braved rushing naked into the sea, which I had to time between walkers etc! Back on the beach I simply covered myself when walkers came past. No one seemed bothered..."

July 23, 2008 - "We went naked on Saunton today and it was great, even walked to the sea naked, did some body boarding naked, and walked back to our pitch naked, it was ace !"

July 27, 2008 - "You need to park at the Crow Point end. Then it's a short walk east round the headland.. there's no clearly defined area [for naturism].. take your cue from others."

July 30, 2008 - "Dont park in Braunton Burrows car park 'cos its quite a hike across unmarked burrows to the beach, and the marines are often doing shooting practice, also getting back to the car park is even worse ! I suggest parking in the main Saunton Sands car park and walking along the beach for about 40 minutes."

July 30, 2008 - "I agree that Braunton Burrows car park is not a good bet, but you have to pay for parking at the Saunton Sands car park and it's a long walk. Myself, I enjoy the exercise but not everyone wants the hike. The Crow Point car park is very easy to get to, it's free and it's just around the corner."

July 24, 2009 - "I often go down to Saunton/Crow Point... and have never yet seen any other nudists, maybe I'm at the wrong point... normally I go down to the point where there is a big aerial and flagpole."