Northam Burrows Country Park

Northam Burrows Country Park lies at the western edge of the Taw Torridge Estuary, within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, forming an integral part of North Devon's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with about 253 hectares of grassy coastal plain with salt marsh, sand dunes and generally unimproved grasslands.

panorama

The Burrows provides one of the access points for the two miles of Westward Ho! Beach, thus combining the best of opportunities for land and marine leisure activities. The main ramped access point to the beach is available from the town of Westward Ho!

The Park is open to pedestrians at all times but there are restrictions on vehicles. The Burrows Centre is open from March 29th until to November 3rd and the toilet facilities are open all year. For the café opening times please contact the Pebble Ridge Kitchen on 01237424138.

Visitor map

View our interactive map or download a printable version (PDF, 842 KB).

Further information

Further information is available on this web site, or contact Michael Day, the Burrows Ranger at:

The Burrows Centre
Sandymere Road
Northam
BIDEFORD
EX39 1XS

Phone: 01237 479708
Email: northam.burrows@torridge.gov.uk

Guided Walks & Events Winter 2024/25

Information on Northam Burrows events.

Walks and Trails

Self-guided walks and trails on Northam Burrows

Walking Dogs on the Burrows

A guide to walking dogs in the park

Features of the Park

Opening times and access

The Park is open to pedestrians at all times but there are restrictions on vehicles. The Burrows Visitor Centre has toilets and a cafe which open year round. The exhibition and shop are open from late March to early November

Function room for hire

Our education room is available for hire as a venue for meetings, workshops and events.

Changing Places Facility

We have a registered changing spaces facility open for use during the season.

School and Group Bookings

For school and group bookings, contact the ranger team

Audio Trail

Use your smartphones on our Audio Trail throughout the Park.

A Bird's Eye View of Westward Ho! and Northam Burrows

A short film of Westward Ho! and Northam Burrows from the sky

South West Coast Path

Northam Burrows is part of the South West Coast Path

Downloads

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Dunes

The sand dunes are found on the north western side of the Burrows where they separate the Atlantic ocean and the coastal grassland.

Grassland

Horses and sheep graze on coastal grassland which makes up about half of Northam Burrows Country Park.

Rocky Shore

The seashore is a boundary between the land and the sea and due to this transition creates a very diverse habitat.

Skern

Salt-marsh is an area of mud flat which has vegetation established on it. Salt-marsh is a fragile and constantly changing habitat.

Pebble Ridge

The pebble ridge is an iconic coastal feature created by natural processes

Skernscapes

Nature documentaries about the wildlife of Northam Burrows by Rob Durrant

Westward Ho! beach