Holiday rentals in Braunton

The village of Braunton is a gateway to the country towns, sprawling beaches, and scenic landscapes of North Devon, an area dubbed the Golden Coast. For outdoor enthusiasts, one of the major draws to the region is its proximity to some of the best surfing in the United Kingdom, and Braunton is in perfect striking distance of many of the top breaks in South West England. Love the idea of surfing but don’t want to wear a wetsuit? Braunton is home to the Museum of British Surfing, which honors the pioneering wave riders who elevated the sport locally. Another big draw is Braunton Burrows, the large sand dune system that’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. If you have a few hours to stroll about the village, you’ll find a sixth-century parish church and a handful of independent shops, cafes, pubs, and art galleries.

Summer is the most popular time to visit, when the days are long and the Braunton Burrows are teeming with wildlife and colourful flowers, including yellow iris and sea stock. The surfers are at it from sunrise to sunset, especially in June during the GoldCoast Oceanfest in nearby Croyde Bay. Things get a little busier in August during the On the Road Music Festival, a three-day event featuring music, organic foods, crafts, and a skate ramp. If you book your Braunton holiday cottages in the autumn and winter, the water is still welcoming enough for surfers, and the crowds have thinned out enough to enjoy a perfect wave while you catch the sunset over the Atlantic.

Braunton Burrows

Flanked by beautiful Saunton Beach and scenic farmland is Braunton Burrows, home to one of the largest dune systems and some of the most diverse plant and animal species in England. The site gets its name from the many rabbits in the area; you’re likely to see some, along with wild mink and hedgehogs, plus rare flowers like the water germander.

Croyde Bay

Surfing is huge in North Devon, and Croyde Bay offers plentiful opportunities to take advantage of the rocky shore and beach and catch some waves in the crystal-blue waters. Just a five-minute walk from the village of Croyde, you can hit up a local ice cream shop or grab a snack from one of the food stations.

Museum of British Surfing

The Museum of British Surfing celebrates the country’s wave-riding heritage with photos, displays, and surfboards that date back more than a century. Learn about the pioneers of UK surf culture — including a 1920s undertaker who turned coffin lids into longboards — as well as the athletes who hope to elevate the sport nationally.