Braunton, Devon

Braunton Burrows

Dunes

Place photograph

8.4

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Check

Cost

Wild

Feel

DunesCoastalWetlandWalkersWildlife loversPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

8.4

Behind Saunton’s sands lies a vast, shifting dune landscape: internationally recognised for its wildlife and also used as a military training ground during the Second World War.

Braunton Burrows is more than a route to the beach. Its scale, rolling dunes and varied wildlife habitats give the landscape a distinctive sense of openness, while its wartime training history adds an unexpected human layer.

Wild · Big-sky · Peaceful

Find your way

Open map

Braunton, Devon

Opening map…

Explore around here Get directions

Know this place a little better?

Add photos Add video Add a waypoint Improve information Report a change

The experience

Explore the dune paths on foot, taking time to notice how the landscape changes between open sand, grassy hollows and other habitats. Visit Devon describes seasonal wildflowers and wildlife, and says the Burrows provides access to Saunton Sands. Treat the wartime story as part of the landscape’s history, not a reason to leave paths or disturb any historic features.

Things to do

Follow the paths through the dunes

Walk the network of paths through rolling dunes, grassy hollows and wildflower areas. The supplied sources do not provide a verified circuit or route distance.

Look for seasonal flowers and wildlife

Visit Devon reports wildflowers, including rare orchids, and wildlife such as butterflies, dragonflies and birds. Treat these as possible seasonal sightings, not guaranteed encounters.

Combine the dunes with Saunton Sands

Visit Devon describes direct access from the Burrows to Saunton Sands, making the beach a sourced extension to a dune walk. Check access conditions before setting out.

Explore the D-Day training story

The Braunton Countryside Centre lists a D-Day Military History Walk, and Visit Devon says parts of Braunton Burrows were used as military training ground for the D-Day landings. The supplied material does not give route details or identify surviving features to seek out.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · 1–2 hours

Quick Escape: a short dune wander

01
Check current access and conditions before setting out.
02
Follow the dune paths for a short out-and-back, taking in the changing landscape of open dunes and grassy hollows.
03
Pause to look for seasonal flowers, insects and birds without leaving the paths or disturbing wildlife.

Half day · Half day

Make a half day of it: dunes and Saunton Sands

01
Explore the dune paths on foot, allowing time to notice the different habitats.
02
Continue to Saunton Sands, which Visit Devon says can be reached directly from the Burrows.
03
Check current access arrangements and conditions before visiting; facilities and refreshments are not confirmed in the supplied sources.

Verified history

Visit Devon states that parts of Braunton Burrows were used as a military training ground during the Second World War for the D-Day landings. The Braunton Countryside Centre also lists a D-Day Military History Walk. The supplied sources do not provide further dates, named units or specific surviving wartime features.

Hidden details

A wartime landscape behind the beach — The dunes’ history includes military training for the D-Day landings. The supplied sources do not establish which traces, if any, remain visible, so do not assume there are features to find.

Look closely at the changing habitats — Visit Devon describes a mosaic of dunes, grassland, wetlands and scrub. Watch for transitions between these habitats rather than expecting the whole landscape to be bare sand.

When to go

· Not specified in the supplied sources.

Visit Devon describes seasonal wildflowers and wildlife, including rare orchids, butterflies, dragonflies and birds, but the supplied evidence does not identify peak months.

Weather and ground conditions are not described in the supplied sources. Check local conditions before visiting.

The route

Rolling dune landscape
Grassy hollows and varied habitats
Seasonal flowers and wildlife
Access to Saunton Sands described by Visit Devon

Worth pairing with

Saunton Sands

A directly relevant extension to a Burrows visit: Visit Devon says the dune reserve provides direct access to Saunton Sands. Check current access conditions.

What to look for

01
Notice the transitions between open dunes, grassy hollows, meadows, wetlands and scrub. Visit Devon reports wildflowers, including rare orchids, as well as butterflies, dragonflies and birdlife
02
sightings and flowering vary by season.

The story

Second World War military training associated with the D-Day landings

Best time to go

Seasonal wildlife and flowers are noted by Visit Devon, but specific peak months are not supplied.

Visit Devon describes seasonal wildlife and flowers, but the supplied sources do not identify a best month or time of day. Check local conditions before setting out.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Braunton EX33 2NX

Google rating

4.8 · 25 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

A large dune landscape behind Saunton Beach, with walking paths and access to the beach described by Visit Devon. Check current access arrangements before visiting.

Check before visiting

Parking

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check before visiting

Accessibility

Terrain and path accessibility are not specified in the supplied sources; check before visiting.

Check before visiting