A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) now recognised as the premier dune system in the UK. Owned by the Christie/Cleveland family for over 300 years, the Burrows is internationally renowned for the diversity and abundance of its plants.
Set in a breathtaking location, this spectacular site has long been the subject of study by ecologists, botanists and other naturalists and boasts nearly 500 different kinds of flowers, including very rare plants such as Sea Stock, Sand Toadflax, Water Germander and 33 species of butterflies.
There is still evidence of use by American troops in World War Two , who practised here for the Normandy landings. Saunton Golf Club occupies a northern section.
The Burrows are a popular film location, for example, they have featured in Pink
Floyd's film 'The Wall' as well as on their 'Momentary Lapse of Reason' album cover; they also provided the backdrop for the video to Robbie Williams' smash-hit 'Angels'. From Braunton take the B3231 for 1 mile, left at Sandy Lane. Access via Coast Path/Tarka Trail.
This is one of the largest sand dune systems in the UK and is considered so important that it has been declared Britain 's first Unesco biosphere reserve.It ranks alongside Mount Vesuvius in Italy and the Danube Delta in eastern Europe.
Braunton Burrows
Braunton Burrows has over 400 species of wild flowers living in its various niche habitats and the best time to visit is probably early July when most of the turf plants are flowering. There are many very rare species to be found such as Sea Stock, Sand Toadflax and Water Germander. The plants in turn support invertebrate species and there are 33 species of butterflies to be found. While walking through the dunes you will still see evidence of use by American troops who practiced here for the Normandy landings. The Ministry of Defence still use a part of the dunes as a training area and if there is to be any live firing it will be indicated with red flags.
There used to be two lighthouses on Braunton sands where the River Torridge and the River Taw meet and flow out to the sea and Bideford bar.
The high light was a tall white painted close boarded wooden octagonal tower lighthouse supported outside with wooden braces, with a red stripe and a traditional light, and a keepers house attached situated at the end of Braunton Sands near Crow Point. It was built in 1820 by Joseph Nelson and altered in 1889 . The tower was 86 feet high and the light was visible for 14 miles. The keepers were withdrawn in 1945 when the tower and dwellings became unstable and the light was eventually made redundant and demolished in 1957.
The low light was a white painted close boarded wooden hut with a red stripe and a window light supported on wooden legs and situated about 300 yards from the high light. It was built in 1802 and altered in 1902. The tower was 15 feet high and was demolished in 1957 when it became redundant.
Beside the low light was a large mast and ball. In the estuary was a tide marker consisting of a horizontal board fixed to 2 posts. When the tide reached the bottom of the board it was either half flood or half ebb. The keeper of the high light kept an eye on this during daylight and when the tide reached the bottom of the board he walked over to the dunes to the low light and raised the ball for half flood or lowered it for half ebb. At night the system was more guess work and with the aid of a torch a decision was made to light either the red or green light.
Today you can still see the dwindling remains of the highlight situated about ½ mile from the replacement modern light. It is a small tubular steel structure lighthouse with a navigational light on top currently operated by Trinity House and situated further up Braunton sands at Crow Point. The tower is 25 feet high and the light is visible for 5 miles.
Braunton
Burrows is one of the largest dune systems in the UK. It has over 500
species of flowering plants, some unique to this area.
A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Braunton Burrows is now recognised as the premier dune system in the UK. Owned by the Christie/ Cleveland family for over 300 years, the burrows is internationally renowned for the diversity and abundance of its plants. Set in a breathtaking location, this spectacular site has long been the subject study by ecologists, botanists and other naturalists and boasts nearly 500 different kinids of flowers, including very rare plants such as Sea Stock, Sand Toadflax, Water irmander and 33 species of butterflies. There is still evidence of use by American troops, who practised here for the Norrmandy landings in World War 2. Saunton golf Club occupies a northern section. From Braunton take the B3231 for 1 mile, left at Sandy Lane. Access via Coast Path/Tarka Trail
Braunton Burrows is a dramatic series of sand dunes located at the mouth of the Rivers Taw-Torridge Estuary and is one of the most important examples of its type in Britain. Few other dune systems are less affected by underlying geology and afforestation, making this a key site for the study of coastal geomorphology.
At over 5km long and 1.5km wide, the sheer scale of Braunton Burrows is impressive. Towards the centre of the site some of the dunes reach up to 30m in height and are amongst the largest in the country. Smaller foredunes, flooded slacks and past evidence of major sand blowouts can also be seen.
The dunes are of international importance for their wildlife, including a number of rarities, and form the core of a Biosphere Reserve,
For further geological details please see Devon County Council's geo-BRB.pdf.
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