Between the North Devon National Landscape and Exmoor National Park resides the charming village of Braunton. A whisper from the North Devon coast, UNESCO Braunton Burrows, and the tranquil waterways of the River Taw, this historic gem is a dream for wanderlust reveries amongst the country’s most spellbinding landscapes. From its charming streets hugged by whitewashed cottages and independent boutiques to its fascinating history and world-class surf, it makes for one of the most enchanting destinations for salt-kissed escapes.
History
With roots dating back over 1,000 years, the village of Braunton is renowned for its fascinating past, woven with centuries of stories and tradition. Recorded in the Domesday Book as ‘Brantone’, it’s one of the largest villages in England and home to a flourishing local community. Entwined throughout its chapters, fishing, farming, shipping, and manganese mining have all played pivotal roles in shaping its history and identity. Today, it draws all with its magnetic charm and spellbinding landscapes that beckon for slow sojourns and soul-stirring moments far removed from the everyday.
Places to Eat
The Duck Dive
The Duck Dive is a welcoming establishment in the heart of Braunton. Adored for its rustically romantic interiors illuminated with floor-to-ceiling windows and garlanded with festoon lighting, it lends a characterful backdrop for feasts. Head over for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and peruse the menu of home-cooked dishes crafted with North Devon produce. Tempting for those leisurely morning starts, breakfast favourites include American-style pancakes with confit duck leg and maple syrup, and the signature Duck Dive Brekkie, complete with local bacon, sausages, and eggs.
Ebrington Arms
Turn your attention to the Ebrington Arms in Knowle, Braunton, to uncover an award-winning gastropub. Exuding historic charm, the pub’s characterful dining spaces are framed with timber beams and exposed stone, promising warmth and ambience for flavourful repasts. Find a seat inside or relax outside on the suntrap terrace, ready to choose from the delectable culinary offerings. “Fished, farmed, and foraged” in North Devon, each ingredient is carefully selected for utmost quality and expertly curated by Head Chef, Tom Mackins, to offer a delicious dining experience.
Restaurant Roku, Croyde
Recommended by the Michelin Guide, Restaurant Roku (meaning “six”) is the culinary vision of Head Chef, Owner, and Great British Menu competitor, Martin Baylis. Serving British food infused with a Japanese twist, the menus are inspired by Martin’s family heritage and childhood amidst a blend of cultures. As part of the restaurant’s epicurean offerings, both à la carte and six-course tasting menus are available. Make way to Restaurant Roku, anticipating favourites such as tuna crudo with togarashi and avocado, lamb sweetbreads with almond cream, and sea bass with crab dumpling.
Beyond the Break, Croyde
A creative reimagining of the former New Coast Kitchen, Beyond the Break in Croyde is a magnetic proposition for delicious dishes throughout the day. Sister to Restaurant Roku, it promises an inviting, neighbourhood feel and menus full of bright, bold tastes. Venture over for aromatic coffees on the patio as the world drifts by, or head inside for lunch or dinner and savour the selection of lovingly prepared dishes. Focusing on fresh, local produce, many of the ingredients are sourced from nearby Amary and Woolley Farms and influenced by the seasons for an authentic taste of country and coast.
The Antidote, Ilfracombe
Set back from the harbourfront in Ilfracombe, The Antidote is a beloved restaurant recommended by the Michelin Guide and renowned for its modern British cuisine. Secure your table in advance and look forward to a relaxed yet refined experience in the intimate dining room. On the menu, a pared-back offering tempts with moreish mouthfuls, complemented with helpings of rustic baguette and a handpicked selection of wines. Encouraging diners to linger a little longer are heavenly desserts, such as whipped cheesecake with lemon posset and apple-miso jam, and chocolate ganache with salted caramel, orange, and praline.
Places to Visit
Lundy Island
Off the coast of North Devon, the magical Lundy Island sits pretty in the Bristol Channel with sweeping vistas across the mainland and open ocean. At just 3.5 miles long and half a mile wide, its petite proportions encompass dramatic coastalscapes with towering granite cliffs and otherworldly coves. Within a Marine Nature Reserve, its protected realms provide vital habitat for enchanting wildlife, such as grey seals, puffins, corals, and dolphins. Take a day trip from Ilfracombe or Bideford between April and October and pursue unforgettable hours in the salt-flecked air.
Arlington Court
Situated on the verdant fringes of Exmoor National Park, Arlington Court encourages unrivalled fairytale forays. Looked after by the National Trust, it features a sprawling estate complete with a Neoclassic country house, formal Victorian gardens, pleasure grounds, carriage museum, tearoom, and more. Arrive on sun-soaked days and follow some of the 20 miles of pathways that weave through the gardens and wider estate, before perusing the onsite attractions. Lovers of literature will adore the bookshop, while children can relish the array of outdoor play areas.
Exmoor National Park
Spanning across North Devon and Somerset, Exmoor National Park is woven with magic. For mesmeric moments in the wilds, it’s the perfect place to pursue leisurely walks and challenging hikes, breathtaking bike rides and inspiring outdoor pursuits. Plot a dreamy day trip from Braunton and savour unhurried exploration, following moorland trails, rolling coast paths, and picturesque village streets. Especially beautiful, The Valley of Rocks is one of Exmoor’s scenic highlights, featuring a natural amphitheatre hugged between valley slopes and coastal cliffs. Meanwhile, beckoning for carefree ambulation and boutique browsing are the idyllic villages of Lynton and Lynmouth.
Museum of British Surfing
For those seeking the exhilaration of the sea, Devon’s north coast is one of the best places in the UK. Beloved for its world-famous surf beaches, its barrelling surf has long attracted ocean lovers from far and wide. To learn about the enthralling journey of surfing in the heart of the country’s salt scene, head over to the Museum of British Surfing in Braunton. With everything from vintage boards and nostalgic photography collections to unique memorabilia, visitors can dive beneath the surface of Britain’s surf culture. For more fascinating local insights, you can also visit Braunton Museum.
Marwood Hill Gardens
Established by the late Dr Jimmy Smart MBE, Marwood Hill Gardens near Barnstaple first blossomed into life in 1949. Growing from 2 to 20 acres over the decades, this floral idyll is a delightful destination for peaceful mornings and tranquil afternoons. Wend along its flower-lined pathways, meandering past its three lakes and admiring its National Collections, as well as its International Camellia Garden of Excellence and Champion Trees. From its delicate snowdrops that blanket the ground in late winter to the pink blooms of magnolia in spring, and summer’s purple cascades of wisteria, each season brings with it a uniquely beautiful appeal.
Beaches
Croyde Beach
One of Devon’s Blue Flag beaches, Croyde Beach is an irresistible proposition during luxury sojourns in Braunton. Home to a spacious beach cloaked in golden sand and lapped by refreshing waters, it calls to all generations with its timeless appeal. Making Croyde Beach all the more tempting for alfresco hours by the shore are a beach volleyball school, surf school, seasonal lifeguards, watersports equipment hire, nearby parking, and proximity to the town’s array of shops and facilities.
Putsborough Beach
Stretching for 3 miles along the coast of North Devon, Putsborough Beach is regarded as one of the finest beaches in Devon and beyond. With abundant space, this is an unparalleled place to seek oceanside quietude, making the most of the almost year-round surf or immersing in the pages of a book. For refreshment, a shop, café, and award-winning facilities provide comfort and convenience. Meanwhile, a designated dog-friendly zone ensures space for canine companions in all seasons.
Woolacombe Beach
Whether you’re seeking sun-warmed sea dips in the heart of summer or rejuvenating winter walks under bright blue skies, Woolacombe Beach is a honey-hued treat. At 3 miles long, this Blue Flag beach has something for everyone. Stay close to the village of Woolacombe to make the most of the array of things to see and do, or head further up the beach to find a quiet spot. From paddleboarding along the shore and games of shoreside cricket to simply watching the roll of waves, wonder awaits at every turn.
Saunton Sands
Devon’s north coast was the UK’s first designated World Surfing Reserve. Encompassing 18 miles of coastline, it features a plethora of beguiling beaches, including the sublime Saunton Sands. Backed by undulating dunes and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Saunton Sands is especially sought-after for its crystalline waves. One of the best surfing beaches in Devon, it’s revered for its long, peeling waves that are particularly alluring to longboarders. Helping surfers to hone their skills are a number of local schools, such as Walking on Waves and Surf Saunton.
Lee Bay
A hidden gem tucked between Ilfracombe and Woolacombe, Lee Bay in North Devon is decorated with heavenly scenery and a number of picturesque coves. For storybook adventures near Braunton, make way to Lee Bay with a picnic overflowing with delicious treats and ice-topped beverages and relax into agenda-free days. At high tide on clement days, paddleboarding and kayaking can be easily enjoyed from the shore. Meanwhile, at low tide, the sea recedes to unveil pebbled swathes perfect for reclining with a page-turner as gulls glide on the thermals above.
Things to Do
Play a Round of Oceanside Golf
A whisper from North Devon’s sapphire coast and surrounded by verdant countryside, Braunton is a haven for outdoor activities. Enjoying an exquisite backdrop of the 1,000-acre Braunton Burrows dunes and glittering coast, Saunton Golf Club offers an enticing way to while away the time. One of the UK’s premier golf courses, its history dates to 1897 and remains a sought-after club amongst experienced and beginner golfers alike. Make the most of its two 18-hole championship links golf courses before relaxing over a refreshing beverage in the clubhouse.
Enjoy Boutique Shopping
Braunton’s array of oceanside gems is complemented by a plethora of retail opportunities. Hugging its charming streets, a collection of independent shops and cute cafés await, with walls adorned in local artwork and shelves dressed with treasures. Renowned as the gateway to the coast, the village is peppered with coconut-scented surf shops, including the beloved Tiki surf shop and Surfed Out Way Station. For curated homeware and bespoke treasures, visit Kittiwakes, Wanderlust Life, and Norden. Or, for the freshest produce and finest artisan delights, visit Ashford Farm Shop.
Walk with a Beautiful Backdrop
North Devon is adored for its spellbinding scenery with towering cliffs wrapped in emerald greenery and picturesque beaches met with Atlantic surf. For those who love indulging in the simple pleasure of walking, it makes for one of the most alluring destinations imaginable. Especially captivating, the South West Coast Path runs the length of the North Devon coast and beyond, offering 80 miles of waymarked trail. Close to Braunton, highlights such as Baggy Point and Morte Point offer dramatic landscapes and reaching vistas. One of the best walking trails in Devon, the Tarka Trail also tempts enchanting escapades, running directly through Braunton on its 180-mile loop.
Take the Ferry to Appledore and Instow
On either side of the River Torridge are the two waterside villages of Appledore and Instow. Picture-postcard idylls with coastal views and streets lined with white-washed cottages, they make for lovely places to simply absorb the moment. Take a serene drive to Instow from Braunton to uncover the village at your own pace, before hopping on the Appledore to Instow Ferry to trace Appledore’s streets on foot. Providing insight into the area’s yesteryears is the North Devon Maritime Museum in Appledore, while Johns of Instow is the place to go to fill hampers with countless artisan delicacies.
Savour a Wine Tasting Experience
Devon is well-known for its sun-drenched slopes that flourish with grape-laden vines. Well acquainted with balmy climes and long, gold-dipped summers, North Devon is home to a number of these vineyards, such as Venn Valley in Barnstaple. Experts at their craft, the vineyard’s team produce a range of award-winning wines, including the Taste of the West 2025 gold-award-winning Special Reserve Sparkling Wine and Devon White. Within easy reach of Braunton, it beckons for delicious wine tasting experiences, with guided tours on select days of the week and an onsite restaurant serving freshly cooked fare.
Feeling inspired for a North Devon escape? Take a look at our luxury cottages in North Devon.
