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Wreck off Northam Burrows is a scheduled monument in North Devon, lying in the shallow waters off the Northam Burrows foreshore near Bideford. The site is protected as a heritage asset by Historic England and covers 0.28 hectares. The wreck rests on bedrock composed primarily of Devonian claystone, with localised bands of sandstone, siltstone and carbonates, which was consolidated during the Carboniferous period. This geology forms part of the complex sedimentary landscape that characterises this stretch of the Devon coast.
Wreck sites of this type preserve evidence of maritime history spanning several centuries. The shallow coastal waters off Northam Burrows have long posed navigational challenges, and numerous vessels have been lost in this vicinity. The wreck survives as an archaeological record, with structural remains and associated artefacts potentially preserved within the protective claystone geology. Tidal movement and wave action continually expose and conceal elements of the site.
As a scheduled monument, the wreck is protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, and statutory consent is required for any work affecting it. The site contributes to understanding historical maritime activity and vessel construction techniques along this economically significant stretch of the North Devon coast.
Wreck off Northam Burrows is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1432949. View the official record →
Wreck off Northam Burrows is a scheduled monument in North Devon, lying in the shallow waters off the Northam Burrows foreshore near Bideford. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1432949.
Wreck off Northam Burrows is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1432949.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Wreck at Westward Ho! (0.2 km), Two decoy targets at Northam Radar Station (1.6 km), Lenwood bowl barrow, 50m south east of Lenwood Cottage (2 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 15 strands of Wreck off Northam Burrows's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Wreck off Northam Burrows stands on Devonian claystone, bedrock that formed in the Carboniferous. The rock here is major:{claystone}, Minor{sandstone,siltstone,carbonates, consolidated}.