This is a most impressive beach with a huge expanse of flat sand stretching for 3 miles and cut off to the south
by the combined estuaries of the rivers Taw and Torridge. The sand dunes behind are much enjoyed by children and provide sheltered spots for sun bathers. It is also an excellent surfing beach and ideal for all water sports. During the main holiday season the beach is patrolled by life guards and then there are areas designated for bathing. The facilities are all near the car park end but to get away from the crowds just walk further down the beach. These quiet areas are quite often used by naturists but there is plenty of room for everyone! It is wheelchair accessible but access is difficult. Dogs are restricted to out of season. Arrive early on busy days as the car park although large can fill to capacity.
Saunton Sands
Facilities: Toilet, shop and Sands Café Bar. The takeaway shop
is open throughout the year, together with the more formal facilities
at the Sands Café Bar.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed. The beach owner reserves the right to restrict access
for dogs at any time during the year. No horses are permitted at the
beach.
Beach Type: Sandy - Dogs: Dogs
allowed
Saunton Sands
Saunton Sands has 3 miles of flat sand backed by massive sand dunes. Excellent surfing beach and ideal for all water sports. Manned with lifeguards. Wheelchair accessible. Shop, toilet etc. at car park end of beach - However you can get away from the crowds by just walking further along the beach. Try to arrive early as car parking space is limited and can fill up on busy days.
Saunton Sands
Saunton Sands is renowned for its surfing and windsurfing, and boasts two 18 hole golf links, one a championship course.
Car Park |
Toilets |
Café (Shop) |
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Premier Family Beach |
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Walks |
Award Beach |
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The coastline from Baggy Point south to Saunton Sands is a magnificent sight. The rocks are about 370 million years old (Devonian) and include a wide range of sedimentary rock types such as sandstones, shales, slates and limestones. The bulk of these were probably laid down in shallow marine or brackish waters. Today, the effect is impressive and the coastline boasts rugged cliffs rising in places to 60m. There is evidence of the past stresses and pressures that have been at work here, with dramatic folding and fractures in the rocks being quite common.
Of particular interest are the signs of Ice Age activity in the area. Raised platforms cut by wave action at times of high sea levels are now home to a number of large boulders transported here by ice. Some of these may have been carried considerable distances. The most famous, the Saunton Pink Granite (SS 44013787), weighs in at 12 tonnes and is likely to have come all the way from the northwest highlands of Scotland. This can be viewe from the foreshore but if visiting the erratic please check the incoming tide as there is the risk of being cut off from the beach.
For further information see Devon County Council's geo-SAU.pdf
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