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.

Sitting at the heart of the North Devon Biosphere, and a conservation site of worldwide importance, Braunton Burrows offers many opportunities for educational groups from Key Stage 2 and 3 to A-level and degree students.

The Burrows has a designated Education Officer who can accompany field study groups visiting the Burrows. On guided walks, groups can find out how the Christie Estate works with conservation partners to manage the Burrows and support the diverse range of flora and fauna that flourishes in this unique environment. These partners include including Natural England, Plantlife, North Devon Coast AONB, and North Devon Biosphere.

During the summer the Braunton Countryside Centre hosts free weekly educational walks for the general public with guides John and Mary Breeds, renowned naturalists who have been studying the Burrows for many years (see the Countryside Centre website for details).

As well as natural history educational visits, the Burrows’ there are also guided historical walks that focus on the Burrows’ use by American troops to train for the Normandy landings.

If you would like to find out more about educational visits to the Burrows, please contact the Braunton Burrows team via brauntonburrows@gmail.com

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