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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.
O.S. Map Ref: SS445345
Access & Parking
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 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.
A possible alternative route exists, via a minor road and private toll
road south from Braunton village. A short walk across the burrows from
this road leads to the southern tip of Saunton Sands - adjacent to the Taw
Estuary - from where the naturist-frequented area lies to the north.
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.
Facilities
None on the beach, the usual facilities are to be found in Saunton, or
little further away at either Croyde (to the north) or in Braunton.
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. Anyone with a notion to get up to mischief in the
dunes should perhaps bear in mind that the nearby former airfield at
Chivenor is now home to a large contingent of Royal Marines!
Update: August 2003
The beach and dunes are part of a privately-owned estate. About 2 years ago a lot of 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. This is thought to have lead to the "crack-down". There was some police activity in the Braunton Burrows area after the press stories but that is thought to have been discontinued. Patrolling is now done by spare beach car park attendants in estate uniforms and does not seem to follow a routine.
"Over the last couple of years there has been something of a crackdown at Saunton. There are now big signs at the entrance saying "Naturist activities are prohibited", and whilst there are lots of discreet sand dunes, they DO patrol and check up; so any activity is definitely at your own risk."
June 2004
However, another naturist who regularly visits Saunton Sands commented:
"[This] is unduly pessimistic, and may serve to deter the
faint-hearted. 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.
Saunton Sands is... huge. It's just about as safe for naturist activity
as it gets in the UK. If you can't cope with that - take up stamp
collecting. "
December 2004
"I can confirm the presence of the warning signs, but as with other users I have quite successfully used the beach for many years now, apart from a spell approx twelve years ago, when 'plod' was being active in response to adverse letters in the local press. I have only once had a confrontation with the afore mentioned 'plod' 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, and the walk across the Burrows area is enhanced by gradually removing clothing prior to arriving at the dunes, recommended only if you know where you are going."
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