Northam Burrows Manor Passes 2026

Torridge District Council have announced that this year they will be charging for access to Northam Burrows from the Friday 3rd April 2026.

The Northam Burrows Charity will therefore be taking applications for Manor Passes from permanent residents of the Ancient Manor of Northam from Monday 23rd February 2026. Please do not return your application before this date.

In previous years, the time at which permanent residents of the Ancient Manor could apply varied depending on when they received their Council Tax demand. Will no longer need this. Last year the 1,500 available passes were all allocated within two weeks of taking applications.

From the 23rd of February, the Town Hall (on Windmill Lane) will be open from 9am to 1pm daily to check applications and take payment in person.

Any put through the letter box will be placed in the queue for checking in their correct date order. Applications may be made by post but you are encouraged to come to the Town Hall in person or deliver your application through the Town Hall’s letter box by hand.

Once you have submitted your application, please try not to contact the office as this does slow down the process.

In accordance with the 1984 agreement, which defined the rights of residents of the Ancient Manor and their rights to access the Burrows with a vehicle, the Charity will be checking the electoral register for applicant’s eligibility for a pass. If your name does not appear on the public electoral register, then by signing the application form for a Burrows Pass, you are declaring that you are providing true information. Spot checks will be undertaken to ensure those who are not permanent residents are not issued with Manor Passes.

The only accompanying document needed will be the driving licence of the applicant, which must show the same address. There is no requirement to provide a copy of your council tax demand for April 2026.

Each application must therefore include:

•       A completed and signed application form

•       A self-addressed envelope (you do not need to provide a stamp)

•       A copy of the applicant’s driving licence (if applying in person, a copy is not necessary, just bring your licence with you).

 

The fee for a Manor Pass remains £20. The Charity prefers payment by credit/debit card. If you have to pay by cheque, please make sure it is made payable to the Northam Burrows Charity.  

Application forms and envelopes will be available for collection from the 20^th February.

Note on driving licences:

Drivers are required by law to let the DVLA know if they change their name or permanent address. If a driver fails to notify the DVLA of changes, they could face a fine of up to £1,000 

 

Note on the number of Manor Passes available:

In 1984, the then landowners (Devon County Council) and Northam Town Council signed an agreement that required the landowner to provide the Town Council (now superseded by the Northam Burrows Charity) with up to 1,500 Manor Passes.

 

• These were in compensation for the loss of grazing attributable to:         
• The maintenance and use of the existing roads       
• The maintenance and use of the existing car park areas      
• The maintenance renewal of the existing toll-keepers huts, toilets, cattle grids, signs and posts on Northam Burrows      
• The building maintenance renewal and use of the visitor’s centre.   

 

The number of passes issued has therefore not been in relation to the number of permanent residents of, or residencies within the Ancient Manor. 

 

This is an update for you on the issue of Northam Town Council and its role in relation to Northam Burrows. Northam Burrows Charity has now been officially recognised by the Charity Commission.

Torridge District Council is the owner of Northam Burrows. Northam Town Council, as Corporate Trustee, is responsible for the regulation of the grazing rights. Prior to the District Council ownership, the Burrows was owned by Devon County Council.

The Corporate Trustee has appointed a management committee which reports back regularly to the Corporate Trustee. During the County Council’s ownership, the Town Council (Corporate Trustee) was awarded 1,500 season passes each year to allow permanent residents of the Ancient Manor of Northam to pass through the toll gate operated by the owner. This was in recompense for loss of grazing following the use of part of the land at the Skern as a landfill (tip) site and the roads.

The Corporate Trustee’s role includes being custodians of the grazing. Money raised from the sale of Manor Passes and grazing rights is used to maintain and improve the Burrows in respect of the Corporate Trustee’s responsibilities to the Burrows and graziers. Money not required for these purposes could be granted to good causes within the parish.

Northam Burrows Charity.