Braunds Sail Loft - Guide to the area (North Devon)
Beaches
We love it when the surfers / kite surfers are out...with 3 miles of surf and sand backed by dunes to explore
The best hot chocolates to warm up in the colder months and ice creams in the warmer months can be found from the kiosk.
We love it all year round
Dog friendly all year around
5 mins drive from Braunds
195 locals recommend
Saunton Sands
We love it when the surfers / kite surfers are out...with 3 miles of surf and sand backed by dunes to explore
The best hot chocolates to warm up in the colder months and ice creams in the warmer months can be found from the kiosk.
We love it all year round
Dog friendly all year around
5 mins drive from Braunds
Beautiful Croyde Bay backed by the dunes and a village with thatched cottages. We like to park out at Baggy Point (free to NT members) and walk over National Trust South West coast path to get the full view of the beach (there a large whale bone that washed up on the beach for little ones to see out here)...and then have coffee/lunch/dinner in the one of the cafes or restaurants (Croyde Cafe, New Coast Kitchen).
Dogs friendly: in the winter months
10 mins drive from Braunds
101 locals recommend
Croyde Bay
Beautiful Croyde Bay backed by the dunes and a village with thatched cottages. We like to park out at Baggy Point (free to NT members) and walk over National Trust South West coast path to get the full view of the beach (there a large whale bone that washed up on the beach for little ones to see out here)...and then have coffee/lunch/dinner in the one of the cafes or restaurants (Croyde Cafe, New Coast Kitchen).
Dogs friendly: in the winter months
10 mins drive from Braunds
Putsborough Beach is the far end of Woolacombe, just a beautiful but way quieter...with 2-3 miles of sandy beach and views to Baggy Point in one directions and Woolacombe in the other - surf, sand and backed by the National Trust hills.
It's on our list to walk up and over the hills to The Porthole in Woolacombe...one day
There's a cafe/small shop here
Drive - 15mins from Braunds
114 locals recommend
Putsborough Beach
Vention LanePutsborough Beach is the far end of Woolacombe, just a beautiful but way quieter...with 2-3 miles of sandy beach and views to Baggy Point in one directions and Woolacombe in the other - surf, sand and backed by the National Trust hills.
It's on our list to walk up and over the hills to The Porthole in Woolacombe...one day
There's a cafe/small shop here
Drive - 15mins from Braunds
We go back to Lee again and again - it's pretty sheltered, shallow water to explore, rock pool after rock pool, stunning bay with dramatic rocks either side and cute cottages surrounding.
You can walk through the village on the pedestrian path up the the little gallery in the old church and The Grampus Inn pub.
Beach is dog friendly all year round
20 mins drive from Braunds - theres a little car park down by the beach or one by the gallery in the centre of the village.
22 locals recommend
Lee
We go back to Lee again and again - it's pretty sheltered, shallow water to explore, rock pool after rock pool, stunning bay with dramatic rocks either side and cute cottages surrounding.
You can walk through the village on the pedestrian path up the the little gallery in the old church and The Grampus Inn pub.
Beach is dog friendly all year round
20 mins drive from Braunds - theres a little car park down by the beach or one by the gallery in the centre of the village.
We love parking on Marine Drive, close to The Porthole cafe - which is on top of the dunes with views from Putsborough Beach to Woolacombe.
The cafe has tables on the edge of the car park overlooking the view - you can walk between the Woolacombe dunes down to the beach.
Dog friendly beach
20 mins drive from Braunds
177 locals recommend
Woolacombe Beach
We love parking on Marine Drive, close to The Porthole cafe - which is on top of the dunes with views from Putsborough Beach to Woolacombe.
The cafe has tables on the edge of the car park overlooking the view - you can walk between the Woolacombe dunes down to the beach.
Dog friendly beach
20 mins drive from Braunds
Barricane Beach in Woolacombe is stunning with the added bonus of curry on beach in the warmer months - bring a picnic blanket. Get there early in summer as the queues can be long.
74 locals recommend
Barricane Beach
Barricane Beach in Woolacombe is stunning with the added bonus of curry on beach in the warmer months - bring a picnic blanket. Get there early in summer as the queues can be long.
Our children and we love this as an end of the day walk, its feels like the end of the earth beach...best for walking...hunt out the boardwalk and the little shipwreck.
Dog friendly
5 mins drive from Braunds - you’ll need £2 (price per early 2022) for the barrier
43 locals recommend
Crow Point
Our children and we love this as an end of the day walk, its feels like the end of the earth beach...best for walking...hunt out the boardwalk and the little shipwreck.
Dog friendly
5 mins drive from Braunds - you’ll need £2 (price per early 2022) for the barrier
Places
The best views back to Croyde - Park at Baggy Point (using your National Trust card if you have one), look out for the Whale bone that washed up on Croyde Bay and the Coasteering taking place on the way out to Baggy Point.
On the way back, Croyde Cafe is pretty cool for a quick stop or coffees from the National Trust.
51 locals recommend
National Trust - Baggy Point
Moor LaneThe best views back to Croyde - Park at Baggy Point (using your National Trust card if you have one), look out for the Whale bone that washed up on Croyde Bay and the Coasteering taking place on the way out to Baggy Point.
On the way back, Croyde Cafe is pretty cool for a quick stop or coffees from the National Trust.
We read in Time Out that this is one of the special places to visit in winter - and that's what we did and we were pretty much the only visitors there in December when the Christmas lights and fishing net Christmas tree was up...we've been going back ever since. Don't miss the waterfall along the beach from the harbour.
Consider taking a picnic as there's a couple of pubs and a cafe at the top of the hill but not loads of eating/drinks options.
277 locals recommend
Clovelly
We read in Time Out that this is one of the special places to visit in winter - and that's what we did and we were pretty much the only visitors there in December when the Christmas lights and fishing net Christmas tree was up...we've been going back ever since. Don't miss the waterfall along the beach from the harbour.
Consider taking a picnic as there's a couple of pubs and a cafe at the top of the hill but not loads of eating/drinks options.
Enjoy the walk through the handmade tunnel through to the striking beaches on the other side...rock pools, paddling and relaxing await.
Time in with a wander around Ilfracombe, to the Harbour and see Damien Hirsts Verity or to nearby Hele Bay
Tunnels also holds the best weddings...overlooking the beach x
Dogs - only allowed above the beaches we believe
25-30mins drive from Braunds
66 locals recommend
Tunnels Beaches
Bath PlaceEnjoy the walk through the handmade tunnel through to the striking beaches on the other side...rock pools, paddling and relaxing await.
Time in with a wander around Ilfracombe, to the Harbour and see Damien Hirsts Verity or to nearby Hele Bay
Tunnels also holds the best weddings...overlooking the beach x
Dogs - only allowed above the beaches we believe
25-30mins drive from Braunds
After seeing amazing image of the island and trips out there (seals and dolphins alongside the boat), this is definitely on our list to explore
Venture out by boat from Ilfracombe or helicopter from Bideford for an extra special trip...or time in with a stay on the island
Dog friendly: no due to the wildlife on the island
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72 locals recommend
Lundy
After seeing amazing image of the island and trips out there (seals and dolphins alongside the boat), this is definitely on our list to explore
Venture out by boat from Ilfracombe or helicopter from Bideford for an extra special trip...or time in with a stay on the island
Dog friendly: no due to the wildlife on the island
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Eats
A really lovely village pub (in Georgham) with great food and drinks - great in winter by the fire. We like the bar, more than the extension.
Dog friendly - yes
15 mins drive from Braunds (drive the Croyde route to avoid some really narrow Devon lanes)
62 locals recommend
The Rock Inn
Rock HillA really lovely village pub (in Georgham) with great food and drinks - great in winter by the fire. We like the bar, more than the extension.
Dog friendly - yes
15 mins drive from Braunds (drive the Croyde route to avoid some really narrow Devon lanes)
A cafe with great views, coffee, food - get here early as the food runs out early. We love the walk down from here to the beach between the dunes.
Seats on the edge of the car park overlooking the beach with views from Putsborough to Woolacombe.
Dog friendly: yes and the beach below is year round also (note if you walk to Woolacombe there's a short stretch where dogs need to be on the lead)
20 mins drive from the beach
26 locals recommend
The Porthole
Marine DriveA cafe with great views, coffee, food - get here early as the food runs out early. We love the walk down from here to the beach between the dunes.
Seats on the edge of the car park overlooking the beach with views from Putsborough to Woolacombe.
Dog friendly: yes and the beach below is year round also (note if you walk to Woolacombe there's a short stretch where dogs need to be on the lead)
20 mins drive from the beach
Curry on the beach in the warmer month - the curry is delicious and beach beautiful.
Get there early in the summer holidays as the queues can be very long. Bring a blanket.
Dog friendly - yes (on a lead)
20 minutes drive from Braunds
39 locals recommend
Barricane Beach Cafe
Woolacombe RiseCurry on the beach in the warmer month - the curry is delicious and beach beautiful.
Get there early in the summer holidays as the queues can be very long. Bring a blanket.
Dog friendly - yes (on a lead)
20 minutes drive from Braunds
Lovely cafe for a stop after visiting Baggy Point or Croyde beach - with views out to Croyde beach
7 locals recommend
Cafe Croyde Bay
Moor LaneLovely cafe for a stop after visiting Baggy Point or Croyde beach - with views out to Croyde beach
Just a few minutes walk from Braunds - we've loved the smoothies here for years...we always order the buddha bowls but then envy the big breakfasts being enjoyed around us.
20 locals recommend
Wild Thyme Cafe - Event & Hog Roast Catering
Caen FieldJust a few minutes walk from Braunds - we've loved the smoothies here for years...we always order the buddha bowls but then envy the big breakfasts being enjoyed around us.
Just around the corner from Braunds - check out the doughnuts
13 locals recommend
Heartbreak Hotel Coffee
4 Caen StJust around the corner from Braunds - check out the doughnuts
This is on our list to visit - with cocktails and super food, it looks more suited to adults only in our opinion.
10 mins drive from Braunds
23 locals recommend
New Coast Kitchen
1 St Mary's RdThis is on our list to visit - with cocktails and super food, it looks more suited to adults only in our opinion.
10 mins drive from Braunds
Fish and Chips just around the corner from Braunds (a few minutes walk) - the queues gather in summer and we understand people travel for miles for them.
You can order online and wander around and collect - either head to the beach and eat them or back to Braunds
75 locals recommend
Squires
1 Exeter RdFish and Chips just around the corner from Braunds (a few minutes walk) - the queues gather in summer and we understand people travel for miles for them.
You can order online and wander around and collect - either head to the beach and eat them or back to Braunds
Great ice creams in winter and hot chocolates in winter for after a walk or swim/surf at Saunton…perfect 😊
Saunton Break
Great ice creams in winter and hot chocolates in winter for after a walk or swim/surf at Saunton…perfect 😊
Homemade, great food in a laid back friendly, small village pub. Short drive from Braunds. Perfect for the end of a beach or walking day.
66 locals recommend
The Kings Arms
Chapel StreetHomemade, great food in a laid back friendly, small village pub. Short drive from Braunds. Perfect for the end of a beach or walking day.
City advice
Don't miss
Thong Say Thai
This is a street food van that is normally at Tesco's in Braunton on a Saturday night - follow them on Instagram for details of the menu. We love their food and have had some fab feedback from guests who have enjoyed it also. @thongsaythai
Don't miss
Private dining from Coastal Cooks
We have had great feedback from our guests enjoying private dining from Coastal Cooks, for all guests from the big to the little. @coastalcooks