Braunton

Farming country meets some of Devon's finest surfing beaches in this sprawling North Devon village. Braunton sits at the heart of one of Britain's most important wetland areas - the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that encompasses everything from the rolling dunes of Saunton Sands to the tidal mudflats where the rivers Taw and Torridge meet the sea.

The village itself feels properly agricultural. Tractors rumble down narrow lanes past cream-washed cottages, and the local farmers still graze cattle on Braunton Great Field - a medieval strip farming system that's survived largely unchanged for centuries. It's fascinating stuff if you're into agricultural history.

What draws most visitors are the beaches within striking distance. Croyde Beach is the star turn - a golden arc of sand that's become legendary among British surfers. The waves here can be properly challenging when the Atlantic storms roll in. Just beyond lies Baggy Point, where the National Trust maintains spectacular clifftop walks with views stretching to Lundy Island on clear days.

Saunton Sands, a ten-minute drive west, offers three miles of beach backed by towering dunes. It's magnificent for long walks, though the car park fills up fast in summer. The area forms part of the North Devon National Landscape, and you can see why - this coastline has a wild, elemental quality that feels worlds away from Devon's gentler southern shores.

Barnstaple, the nearest proper town, lies eight miles inland via the A361. The village sits perfectly for exploring this stretch of coast without the premium prices of staying right on the beach. Several holiday parks nearby offer a practical base, with Golden Sands Touring Park earning consistently good reviews from families wanting easy access to both Croyde and Woolacombe.