Braunton Burrows is owned and managed by Christie Devon Estates. The Burrows is at the core of the UNESCO North Devon Biosphere Reserve and is the second largest sand dune system in the UK. It is home to an abundance of flowers, plants and wildlife. A PDF version of the Braunton Burrows Guide and Map is available for download.
It is a place where a variety of interests coexist, from land management through livestock grazing to use for MOD training exercises. It is also a popular destination for recreational users such as hikers, dog walkers and nature lovers (a dog walkers’ guide to Braunton Burrows can be found here).
While part of the working estate, the Burrows has always been open to the public who have unrestricted access to the 1800 acre space. However, the Estate does have some guidelines for use – such as having dogs on leads in livestock zones – and asks the public to respect these. Please note vehicle access is not permitted without permission and metal detecting on the Burrows is strictly prohibited.
There are more than 470 species of flowering plants, comprising 11 species of orchids alone within the Burrows, while the prolific insect population includes crickets, dragonflies and 33 species of butterfly. The best time to visit is between May and July when the Burrows are carpeted in wild flowers. Visitors are advised to drop in on the Braunton Countryside Centre to learn more about the Burrows.
Braunton Burrows needs to careful management to allow its abundant flora and fauna to flourish and the estate works in conjunction with Natural England to achieve this. This includes a range of techniques including grazing by traditional cattle breeds and mechanised scrub clearance.
