Braunton Burrows

Braunton Burrows
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Flagpole Dune - A major blowout encouraged to feed sand into the surrounding area.
Braunton Burrows is located in Devon
Braunton Burrows
Location within Devon
LocationNorth Devon
Grid referenceSS457352
Coordinates51°05′49″N 4°12′47″W / 51.097°N 4.213°W / 51.097; -4.213
InterestBiological and Geological
Area1,356.7 hectares (13.567 km2; 5.238 sq mi)
Notification1952 (part)
1969 (full)
Natural England website

Braunton Burrows is a sand dune system on the North Devon coast. It is privately owned and forms part of the Christie Devon Estates Trust (see Tapeley Park). Braunton Burrows is a prime British sand dune site, the largest sand dune system (psammosere) in England. It is particularly important ecologically because it includes the complete successional range of dune plant communities, with over 470 vascular plant species. The short turf communities are very rich in lichens and herbs, and the dune slacks are also rich. The many rare plants and animals include 14 with UK Biodiversity Action Plans. For example, this is one of only two sites in the UK for the Amber Sandbowl Snail Catinella arenaria, which is found on the wet dune slacks.