Croyde

One of the prettiest villages in Devon, Croyde is renowned for its excellent beach with, just around the headland, another three-mile stretch of sands at Saunton Sands, one of the most glorious, family-friendly sandy beaches in the West Country. The sands are backed by 1000 acres of dunes known as Braunton Burrows, a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, which is the largest sand dune system in England. The southern part of this wide expanse is noted for its fluctuating population of migrant birds as well as rare flowers and insects.

Also noted for its abundant wildlife is Baggy Point, just northwest of Croyde. This headland of Devonian rock (so named because the rock was first identified in this county) is a popular nesting place for seabirds, including herring gull, fulmar, shag and cormorant. Grey seals can often be seen from here. 

Running north-westwards from the cliffs is a shoal known as Baggy Leap. In 1799, HMS Weazle was driven onto the shoal during a gale and all 106 people on board perished.