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Walking

Walking in North Devon QQQQ

North Devon, England

Ilfracombe Harbour
The postcard picturesque nature of Ilfracombe Harbour has secured its popularity with locals and visitors alike.
Braunton Burrows
Measuring approximately 13.5 square kilometres, Braunton Burrows is one of the UK’s prime sand dune sites.
Morte Point
One of the many highlights of your tour, Morte Point’s rugged coastline has been responsible for many shipwrecks.
Saunton Sands Hotel (4Q)
Enjoying a splendidly picturesque position, the hotel is an ideal base from which to explore the area.

2 passengers

Please call 0800 096 0084 for latest availability

No fly
Half board

Explore the dramatic scenery of North Devon

North Devon is renowned for its incredible coastline, much of which is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and this four-night holiday offers the chance to explore parts of the dramatic coastal path and golden sand dunes of Braunton Burrows. The locally rated 4-star Saunton Sands Hotel (4Q) is a glamorous art deco hotel overlooking the glorious Saunton Sands and Atlantic Ocean. Look forward to three included walks in the company of your Expert Host, as well as time to explore independently.

Including...

Expert Host
Saga Host
Included themed activities
Expert Host Talks
Hosted welcome drinks reception
Meet and greet with expert host
Free hotel Wi-Fi
Hotel porterage
Cancellation rights

Plus this hotel features:

All breakfasts and dinners
Tea and coffee-making facilities in your room

Excursions

Three scenic walks

Holiday Details

Address

Saunton Sands Hotel, Saunton Rd, Braunton EX33 1LQ

Introduction

Stay in the 4-star Saunton Sands Hotel, a glamorous art deco hotel set on the headland overlooking glorious Saunton Sands and the mesmeric waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel is the flagship property of family-owned Brend Hotels.

Accommodation

Saga guests’ rooms are inland facing. Guests also have full use of the leisure facilities and free parking.

Upgrade to a room with sea views, subject to availability.

Television
Wi-Fi
Safe
Hairdryer
Tea coffee making facilities
Telephone
Toiletries

Food and Drink

Your stay at Saunton Sands Hotel is on a half-board basis. Dining at the hotel is always considered an occasion to be relished, as you will discover every day! The Dining Room, which has two AA rosettes, offers a classic British menu prepared from the finest local produce by renowned head chef Mathias Oberg, formerly of the Michelin-starred restaurant, The Shade.

Dress smartly for fine dining at The Dining Room. Other restaurants include The Terrace Lounge, Saunton Al Fresco Terrace and the Beachside Grill, which is open in the spring and summer months on the beach.

Other Hotel Information

Facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, and a new state-of-the-art spa ‘Source Spa and Wellness’, providing daily fitness classes, treatments and pampering (extra charge), tennis courts and a surf school (extra charge)

The spacious accommodation of Saunton Sands Hotel

Climate

Amenities

Holiday Location

Staying on the South West Coast Path you are perfectly positioned to take advantage of the natural wonders of North Devon, epitomised by the unspoilt expanse of golden sand beach washed by the Atlantic. The clean consistent waves of Saunton Sands provide the perfect classroom for would-be surfers. For those with experience of wave riding the world-famous surfing beach of Croyde is just around the headland. Further afield, Ilfracombe boasts beaches reached through Victorian hand-hewn tunnels, and a restaurant owned by artist Damian Hurst, whose 66-foot statue, Verity, stands sword drawn, at the harbour mouth.

There’s plenty more than seaside to discover too. Braunton Burrows dunes, part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to the huge variety of wild flowers and wildlife they sustain, are just steps away from the hotel. Take the opportunity to visit the historic houses of North Devon, including Arlington Court, where you’ll find the National Trust Carriage Museum and Tapely Park with its Italian garden. Gardeners will be drawn to the RHS Rosemoor Gardens, with special holiday dates arranged to view the spring blooms and the renowned Rose Festival.

At Instow, enjoy the English summer chorus of leather on willow at a unique cricket ground set among the sand dunes, with a thatched club house. While on the opposite side of the estuary, in arty Appledore, you’ll find a churchyard inhabited by a much quieter crew of 'drownded mariners'. North Devon’s main town, Barnstaple is just under eight miles from Saunton Sands and home to an historic working Pannier Market, the tiny artisan food shops of Butchers' Row, a thriving theatre and many independent shops and restaurants. Walkers can take to the South West Coast Path and cyclists can explore North Devon’s coast and countryside on 163 miles of car-free Tarka Trail.

Host Details

Excursions

Braunton Burrows dunes

Distance: 11-13km
Duration: 4 - 4.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy

Part of the Christie Devon Estates, Braunton Burrows is one of the largest sand dune systems in England. The 1800 acre estate has an abundance of wild flowers, plants and wildlife and the landscape is separated between dunes and slacks. From the peaks of the Great Dune and Grand Canyon to the peaceful Bee Slack and Partridge Slack you’ll discover ponds, plains of course grass and of course the sandy dunes.

Included on 4 nights itinerary

Lee Bay to Wollacombe Sands

Distance: 11 kilometres
Duration: 4.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy

From Lee Bay you’ll take the south west coastal path to Morte Point where the jagged rocks known as ‘devil’s teeth’ have been weathered by the sea and wind. These rocks, accompanied by strong currents, can be deadly and in 1852 were responsible for the sinking of five ships. Many of the rocks in this part of the coast feature veins of glistening white quartz. You may also be lucky enough to spot a seal or two, or even the occasional dolphin, from your elevated position overlooking the sea. Your final destination Woolacombe Sands should now be in view and you’ll continue along the coast path as it follows the shoreline towards the Esplanade, past Combesgate Beach and Barricane Beach. This are is particularly popular with surfers who come to ride the waves onto Woolacombe Beach.

Please note: the walking pace will allow you enjoyment of the views along the way, however, a good level of fitness is required due to uphill sections. Due to the occasionally muddy nature of the trails, Dee suggests bringing leg gaiters and walking poles. A sensible sun hat is also recommended.

Included on 4 nights itinerary

Widmouth to Lee Bay

Distance: 13 kilometres
Duration: 4.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

Begin your walk from Widmouth, which is positioned on the south west coastal path in an area of outstanding natural beauty. You’ll enjoy spectacular sea views as you make your way through Ilfracombe, past a series of attractive bays and beaches and up to Lee Bay, a small village set on a particularly rugged stretch of coast and backed by rolling Devonshire countryside. Parts of the path along this route are steep and therefore more challenging.