Putsborough

Map showing the location of Putsborough Sand within Devon

Putsborough is a hamlet on the west-facing coast of North Devon, England. It is about 3⁄4 mile (1.2 km) north of the village of Croyde and 1 mile (1.6 km) WNW of the village of Georgeham. North of the hamlet is Putsborough Sand, which forms the southern part of the two-mile-long (3 km) beach of Woolacombe Sand on Morte Bay.

Settlement

The manor house has an adjoining a cluster of privately owned homes and holiday homes and a camping site. The manor house itself is grade II listed of stone, cob and thatch construction with origins dating back to at least 16th century. The first recorded written reference to Putsborough is in 1313, however there is mention in Doomsday book to a sister of Ordulf (a Saxon lord who held the manor of Georgeham and Croyde, amongst others in Devon) who tried to found her own separate manor – possibly Putsborough.^[1]

The hamlet is a conservation area located in North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the South West Coast Path runs right past it between Woolacombe and Croyde and around Baggy Point (owned by the National Trust) with views towards Lundy Island and the coast of south Wales.

Beach

Putsborough Sands is the name given to the southern part of Woolacombe Sand. Along with Croyde Bay and Saunton Sands, it is considered one of the best beaches in Devon for surfing.^{[citation needed]} It is dog friendly and horse friendly all year (with small exclusion zones).^{[citation needed]} It is a sandy beach with some rock pools.

The beach is privately owned and the car park is reached by a narrow road with passing places. Above the beach are a small caravan site, and beach shop and toilet.

Surf

The surf works at all tide stages but mid to high tend to have an edge. It is the only beach in the area that benefits from some protection from prevailing south/southwesterly winds, thanks to the headland of Baggy Point. Peaks (of waves) are scattered all along its length. It has a fairly slow waves which are suitable for surfing beginners.^{[citation needed]} The sandy beach has some rocky outcrops which provide paddling pools.