Saunton Sands Hotel
Braunton
Saunton Sands Hotel is a four-star coastal retreat overlooking three miles of golden beach and the dramatic dunes of North Devon. Its combination of comfortable accommodation, excellent dining and an ocean-view spa makes it especially attractive for couples, groups and mixed parties planning a golf break near Saunton Golf Club.
Guests can choose from individually furnished bedrooms, spacious living suites and self-catering apartments, with many accommodation options enjoying views across the beach and Atlantic Ocean. The hotel’s elevated setting and Art Deco character create a classic seaside atmosphere, while direct beach access provides an easy option for walks, surfing or time away from the course.
Saunton Golf Club is less than a mile from the hotel and offers 36 holes of championship links golf across its East and West courses. The Herbert Fowler-designed East Course is the better known of the two, combining natural dune terrain with a strong championship pedigree. The West delivers a similarly authentic links experience, demanding careful positioning from the tee and confident approaches into its distinctive green complexes. Both courses hosted the R&A Women’s and Men’s Senior Amateur Championships in 2024. Golf should be booked directly with the club, while selected hotel golf breaks include transfers between the property and the clubhouse.
After a day on the links, the Source Spa offers an indoor heated pool, marine-inspired thermal suite, vitality pool, sauna, treatment rooms and a well-equipped gym. There is also a heated outdoor pool during the warmer months, together with fitness classes and a tennis court.
Dining is centred around the two-AA-Rosette Dining Room, where seasonal dishes are served in an elegant setting with coastal views. The Terrace provides a more informal option, while the Beachside Grill offers relaxed dining beside the sand.
For golfers seeking a longer North Devon itinerary, Royal North Devon and Ilfracombe can also be incorporated. However, with two outstanding links courses close by, Saunton Sands Hotel has everything required for a memorable coastal golf break.
Exeter Airport
97km
England’s best golf tour operator 2026 winner
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Time Zone:
GMT+0
Currency:
£ (British Pound)
Temperature:
1°C - 22°C
Cost of a Beer:
£5.00
Cost of a 3-Course Meal:
£65
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About The Area
Braunton is one of England’s strongest bases for a traditional links golf holiday, combining two outstanding courses with wide beaches, protected dunes and the relaxed character of North Devon. The village sits between Barnstaple and the Atlantic coast, placing golfers close to Saunton, Croyde and several of the region’s best outdoor attractions. Exeter Airport is approximately 82 kilometres away by road, while those driving from elsewhere in the UK can reach Braunton via the M5 and North Devon Link Road.
The main attraction is Saunton Golf Club, whose East and West courses are laid out among the dunes of Braunton Burrows. The East Course was created by Herbert Fowler during the 1920s and has hosted numerous major amateur championships, including the R&A Women’s and Men’s Senior Amateur Championship in 2024. It provides a demanding championship test shaped by natural dunes, firm-running ground and the changing coastal wind.
The West Course shares the East’s classic links character but offers a distinctly different round. Accurate positioning from the tee is essential for finding the best angles into its greens, while subtle slopes and tightly defended putting surfaces reward thoughtful course management. With both courses based at the same club, Braunton is ideal for a two- or three-night break without lengthy daily transfers.
Golfers staying longer can add a round at Royal North Devon Golf Club in Westward Ho!, where the historic course crosses the open common land of Northam Burrows. The exposed terrain, natural hazards and coastal conditions provide another memorable example of traditional North Devon links golf.
Away from the fairways, Saunton Sands offers a long stretch of golden beach backed by Braunton Burrows, England’s largest sand-dune system and the core of the North Devon Biosphere Reserve. Nearby Croyde is famous for surfing, while Braunton itself has independent shops, welcoming pubs and the Museum of British Surfing.
We particularly recommend Braunton during late spring and early autumn, when the coast is generally quieter and conditions are well suited to combining links golf with walking, beaches and traditional Devon food.
