North Devon has always been one of the finest unspoilt locations in the UK, and is now home to Britain’s first new style, world class UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where conservation and sustainable development go hand-in-hand.

The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) accolade has been awarded on the basis that this is a place that can demonstrate an exceptional diversity and abundance of rare plants and continuous human use from ancient times. There are 400 other Biosphere Reserves worldwide, including the area around Mount Vesuvius in Italy, the Danube Delta in Eastern Europe, and Ayers Rock in Australia, but North Devon is the First in the UK.

A Biosphere Reserve aims to achieve the Following:

A Conservation Function – to contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation.
A Development Function – to foster economic and human development, which is socially, culturally and ecologically sustainable.
A Logistic Function – to provide support for research, monitoring, education and information exchange related to local, national and global issues of conservation and development.

The Biosphere Reserve has a core area centred on Braunton Burrows, which is owned by Christie Estate who manages the site with the MOD. The Reserve stretches out into what are called buffer zones and the transitional areas, to include Braunton Marshes and great Fields, Northam Burrows, Kipling Tors, Croyde Dunes and the Taw and Torridge Estuary, and its catchment area. Map of Biosphere Zones

There is a strong local tradition of respect for the land and sea and a warm welcome to the like minded visitors wanting to look learn and appreciate.