Self Catering May Half Term Holidays in North Devon
Looking for a last-minute break this May Half Term? You’ve just found it. At Saunton Beach Villas, our self-catering, dog-friendly Villas sit just behind the stunning Saunton Sands – one of North Devon’s most iconic beaches (and one of the few that is dog-friendly year-round!).
Whether you’re after a full week of coastal adventure or a short break to unwind, we’ve got a few Villas available – but not for long.🌊
Why choose Saunton Beach Villas for May Half Term?
🚗 Easy UK staycation – avoid the hassle of airports with a relaxed Devon escape.
🐾 Dog-friendly stays – no kennels needed, dogs are welcome in every Villa and on the beach too.
🏖️ Beach access in moments – stay beside the Beach for access to Saunton Sands within minutes.
👨👩👧👦 Spacious Villas – ideal for families of all sizes (from 4 to 8 berths).
🍳 Fully equipped kitchens – enjoy the ease and flexibility of self-catering whilst saving money on eating out too!
🍽️ On-site restaurant – If you don’t fancy cooking whilst you’re on holiday, the Beachside Grill is open Wednesday – Sunday (please note that the restaurant is owned and run independently so please check opening times and information directly. Booking advised.)
What to do in North Devon this May
Saunton is just the start – discover North Devon!
Run free with the dog on Saunton Sands, just steps from your Villa
Try a surf lesson (did you know that North Devon is the ONLY World Surf Reserve in the UK?!)
Enjoy cream teas, pub lunches, and independent shops in nearby Braunton and Croyde
Explore the coastline – North Devon has the best beaches! Croyde, Woolacombe, Putsborough, and Barricane are a short drive away.
If you’re looking for surfing lessons, we have several surf schools here on site, as well as a surf hire shop. We recommend booking in advance to secure lessons and gear hire.
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Your Half Term Holiday in North Devon
So, you’ve booked your half term holiday and are looking for some inspiration about where to go and what to do? From the best of our local beaches to recommendations on dog-friendly places to eat and drink, our Explore section has you covered! Make the most of your time here in North Devon – your Villa is base for exploring our beautiful area!
As repeat visitors we are yet to be disappointed. The villa is always spotlessly clean on arrival, again the extra touches of coffee pods, dog treats and information fliers are appreciated. We opt to request dog crates and a fan, which add to the convenience of our stay. The villa itself contains everything you need for a pleasant self catering stay. There is a large Tesco located nearby, where you can shop for items needed during your stay, they also deliver directly to the villas. The accommodation is situated a 5 minute walk away from the beach. Parking is allocated outside each villa and is spacious (I drive a pick up truck and there's more than enough room to park and maneuver) the beach shop sells coffee, alcohol, snacks and dog items etc - all the little convenient things you need, along with beach goodies and souvenirs. I could go on with recommendations for things to do and places to eat locally! But in short, we will be back again to stay at Saunton beach villas. As a family it ticks all of the boxes for a UK coastal get away. It's easy to book, conveniently situated and a stress free break. Thanks again team, see you soon.
A lovely week with four generations of our family and 2 dogs. We stayed in 12 The Dunes and it was everything we hoped it would be. Great villa with plenty of space for all of us, comforty beds and well equipped kitchen. Fantastic enclosed garden for the dogs and a lovely treat box for them on arrival. It helped that the weather was great too. We were having so much fun that we forgot to take photos. We will definitely be back. Thank you
After a really stressful first part of the year, this was exactly what I needed. Peaceful and long walks on the beach with my dog.|The accommodation was spotless and very comfortable, loved the beach ornaments, and was so thoughtful with pets in mind. It was like home from home, but with the sea and beach on the doorstep. Walked 4 miles a day, my poor dog was shattered, but enjoyed the rock pools. Had a lovely meal at the Beach Grill were we sat on the balcony. Have already booked for next year.
Our first visit to Saunton beach villas. This is a dog friendly place with a dog friendly beach. Situated just outside of two lovely towns with plenty of amenities. Lots of lovely places to visit. This is an ideal base for walks and visiting other town nearby. The villa is looking a little tired but the cleanliness was perfect. We will definitely be booking again.
Response from the owner 12:58 25 Jul 25
Thank you for your lovely review - we’re so glad you enjoyed your first stay with us! It’s great to hear you found the location ideal for exploring the area and that both the beach and dog-friendly touches hit the mark.We really appreciate your comments about the cleanliness - our team takes great pride in making sure everything is spotless for our guests. And thank you also for the note about the villa feeling a little tired - we’re always looking for ways to improve and refresh our spaces, so feedback like this is really helpful.We’re thrilled to hear you'll be booking again and look forward to welcoming you (and your pup!) back soon.
Great weekend at Saunton beach villas. We stayed in dunes 2 - spotlessly clean on arrival. Every thing you could want in a villa. Super friendly staff. Super dog friendly and we loved the doggy shower in the garden - Seconds walk to the beach. Check-in and checkout super easy and explained really well. |The beach grill restaurant was a big bonus too. Dog friendly and lovely staff. |Perfect stay with our fur baby. Will definitely be back
We had a wonderful time and the villa had everything you could need for your stay and I would recommend it for a great beach holiday
Response from the owner 08:33 08 Jul 25
Hi Catherine, thank you for leaving us this lovely 5 star review - we're delighted to know that you all had such a great stay and had everything you needed for a home-from-home experience! We very much hope to welcome you back!
The accommodation is spotlessly clean and comfortable if not luxurious. The positioning of the villas is very strange with windows from one chalet directly looking into the garden of the one next door. This results in compromised privacy for both. The location is perfect for the beach and the dog friendly measures are great for those with dogs. We were happy to bring our own towels but I was still a bit taken aback to only be provided with one measly hand towel in the bathroom. I was also expecting a dishwasher but perhaps that’s just me being overly demanding. Overall it’s a very nice place to stay with easy access to an excellent beach so don’t let the cons put you off.
Wow what a fantastic place to stay! Totally dog friendly, and a 5* beach that welcomes dogs all year round. The Villa was superb with everything you could possible need catered for, including a large fully fenced garden. Little touches like the dog treat box with a ball went down very will with our two dogs. If you have dogs and love the beach, book a break, you will not be disappointed.
We as a family can't love this place enough! This was our 3rd stay and we hope for many more. The villa is always clean with a personal touch to our welcome pack on the kitchen table. It has great WiFi to keep us entertained inside but to have the beach on the doorstep is where the real beauty is. Dog friendly and welcoming! Beautiful sights and amazing sounds. If you love the beach staying here is a must, no matter the season! ❤️
Our first time staying at Christmas, was perfect ! Accommodation superb, loved the hamper and decorations, and so easy to book and staff so friendly. Totally recommend, we had perfect family Christmas with our dog.
A Remarkable Retreat for All This place offers an exceptional experience, providing relaxation and convenience for everyone. It's perfect for families, groups, and even pets. Our dog especially loves it here, thanks to his new complimentary ball. Highly recommended!
We had a lovely impromptu 4-night stay at Saunton Beach Villas. It had everything we needed. The dogs loved their walks in the dunes and on the beach and there were some doggie treats on arrival. The heaters in the villa were good for the cooler November evenings. We were there on fireworks night but couldn’t hear any from indoors but they could be heard in the distance from the fully enclosed garden. Braunton is only 10 minutes drive for takeaways.
A really lovely, genuinely dog friendly place to stay. The staff on site were friendly and the location is beautiful. Despite being dog friendly, the villa was spotless when I checked.
My only note would be to ignore the outdoor dog shower promise. It's a hose pipe in the garden and within a couple seconds of being used you're in a deep muddy and sandy puddle so it makes things worse!
Visited saunton beach villa's for 2nd time for a 4 night break. Villa spotless, everything you need for a comfortable stay. Enclosed garden for our 4 dogs. Walks on the burrows or beach on the doorstep. Cafe and diner onsite if you fancy treating yourself. Location great for visiting Ilfracombe but Braunton village is also nice for a wander.
We have stayed here many times and have just returned from what has been a glorious sunny week. As always the Villa was clean and very comfortable. The fenced off gardens are ideal for dogs, and our two love the freedom of being able to roam in and out of the villa. With a two minute walk to the dog friendly, outstandingly beautiful, huge beach, you really don't need to go anywhere else during your stay (except popping to the beach shop to grab a pasty!). Saunton Villas is must for people holidaying with dogs, it is very dog friendly, and they are welcomed. Thanks you Saunton Villas!
Absolutely love Saunton Sands, the dog friendly beach and people you meet along the way, all like minded… it really is a lovely place! Having stayed this time at Saunton Beach Villas, can’t recommend this highly enough! The villas are beautifully built and kitted out with everything you need for a relaxing stay with your furry best friends! Nothing has not been thought of to make this as relaxing as possible and enjoyable for both the doggies and their humans! Really is a stones throw to the beach and all amenities have been thought of, from the reception that holds items for doggies, including homemade cookies and cream, to the shop that has everything you need, for a beach day! Equally the restaurant is highly recommended and they have a click and collect for food… dinner sorted too! Highly recommend everything about this beautiful place. Thank you for making our stay soo relaxing and enjoyable.
We took our two German Shepherds to Saunton Beach Villas and had a lovely time. It’s so dog friendly, made us feel really relaxed. Beach there is amazing for our dogs to run around. We will def be back!
Brilliant holiday accommodation. We stayed in Burrows 9 which was just perfect for 2 adults and 2 very large German shepherds. Lovely and clean accommodation and a wonderful personalised gift box for the dogs was on the table. We arrived later than scheduled due to traffic so I called them to let them know, they were very helpful and reassured us that the key code would be sent so we could access without any problems. They even checked on us the following day, em which was nice. The location is amazing 1 minute and we were on the Burrows for super walks and only 4 minutes walk to the most dog friendly beach - we did a 4 hour dog walk to crow point (fabulous). We can’t wait to return……
Great location and clean and tidy accommodation. All the basics catered for. We booked a four day vacation in the height of Summer and had a great time - would certainly recommend to anyone looking for a decent standard with no frills.
We had a great stay at 5 The Dunes. Perfect location for beautiful Saunton Sands beach. The villa was well equipped and ideal for a family and our 2 large dogs. Great value for money too in the school holidays.
I have just returned from a 4 day break to 3 Dunes at Saunton Beach villas with my teenage boys and our cavapoodle Bea 🙂 It had everything we needed, the location was amazing and the ability to have the back door open onto an enclosed garden was perfect. We did lots of beach walks and the food at the Beach Grill was delicious. tip - get your tesco delivery to your door !
What a lovely place to stay. Villa was clean and comfortable with everything you need for a self catering stay. The beach was gorgeous and our dog thoroughly enjoyed his runs on the beach and through the Burrows. Was sad to have to leave it behind and come home but would have no hesitation in returning perhaps for longer next time.
We had 3 nights at Saunton and really enjoyed it. The accomodation is clean and well equipped. You need to bring your own towels, but they tell you that in the info. Location is brilliant, so close to the beach.
Absolutely loved our stay here, the dog had so many walks. The staff were so helpful and welcoming. The villa was lovely and clean on arrival and the dog loved his box of treats left by the staff. Truly lived up to all our expectations from friends that had recommended Saunton Sands Villas to us. Our first stay here but will definitely be returning!!
Nice place, we had an 8 sleeper and it was certainly big enough for us all. Nice kitchen, clean, tidy, fresh bedding (don’t forget to take your towels), plenty of hot water and decent bathroom.
Well equipped kitchen and able to cook breakfast for all of us each morning.
The lawn area needs some attention and nicer furniture to sit on in the sun etc.
£850 for 3 nights was on the high side I thought but the location was amazing as right in the beach and tucked into the dunes!
As always a great stay in these perfectly located beach Villas. They are basic but perfectly clean, tidy and comfy, just what is needed for a beach holiday with or without dogs. Short walk to the stunning beach, absolute convenience and the beauty of the sand dunes opposite. Always found the reception, team, cleaners to be super friendly and helpful. Will visit again.
Clean, well appointed villa with comfortable beds, the dogs loved it and enjoyed the beach at least twice a day, occasionally more. I never made it to the beach because although I'd spoken to a member of staff before booking to ask about access through the dunes and was informed that that there were concrete paths I wasn't told that in places there were slopes, in particular the quite steep ramp down from the car park to the beach. Even if I'd made use of a beach wheelchair I would have needed assistance to get down and up the ramp and with four dogs to control my friend wouldn't have been able to push me. It spoiled the holiday for me and for my friend, who incidentally had nothing but praise for the members of staff she spoke to having left her laptop behind. They were friendly and helpful and organised it being returned to her as speedily as possible.
We have just got back from a short break here. Absolutely excellent location and accommodation. The most dog-friendly place we have ever stayed. The chalet was spotless and well equipped with a few nice 'doggy' touches - a doggy bag of treats including biscuits, a tennis ball, poo bags and a dog identity disc. Straight out of the chalet onto miles of dunes and an endless beach.
Our 4th stay in the villa but the first time we have arrived in daylight. As soon as we turned off the road, drank in the amazing view Peppa sat up wagging her tail & I swear was smiling the happiest doggy smile ever! Dunes 8 as always was spotlessly clean with the great addition of WiFi & smart tv's. Meant my husband could finish his work , our little girl could watch her favourite tea time programmes & mummy could sit outside with a glass of wine listening to the sea. We were extremely lucky with the weather, lots of long walks on the beach & burrows - absolutely perfect . As always sad faces on leaving & an absolutely exhausted dog! Already looking at dates for our next trip. Thank you once again for an amazing long weekend .
As repeat visitors we are yet to be disappointed. The villa is always spotlessly clean on arrival, again the extra touches of coffee pods, dog treats and information fliers are appreciated. We opt to request dog crates and a fan, which add to the convenience of our stay. The villa itself contains everything you need for a pleasant self catering stay. There is a large Tesco located nearby, where you can shop for items needed during your stay, they also deliver directly to the villas. The accommodation is situated a 5 minute walk away from the beach. Parking is allocated outside each villa and is spacious (I drive a pick up truck and there's more than enough room to park and maneuver) the beach shop sells coffee, alcohol, snacks and dog items etc - all the little convenient things you need, along with beach goodies and souvenirs. I could go on with recommendations for things to do and places to eat locally! But in short, we will be back again to stay at Saunton beach villas. As a family it ticks all of the boxes for a UK coastal get away. It's easy to book, conveniently situated and a stress free break. Thanks again team, see you soon.
A lovely week with four generations of our family and 2 dogs. We stayed in 12 The Dunes and it was everything we hoped it would be. Great villa with plenty of space for all of us, comforty beds and well equipped kitchen. Fantastic enclosed garden for the dogs and a lovely treat box for them on arrival. It helped that the weather was great too. We were having so much fun that we forgot to take photos. We will definitely be back. Thank you
After a really stressful first part of the year, this was exactly what I needed. Peaceful and long walks on the beach with my dog.|The accommodation was spotless and very comfortable, loved the beach ornaments, and was so thoughtful with pets in mind. It was like home from home, but with the sea and beach on the doorstep. Walked 4 miles a day, my poor dog was shattered, but enjoyed the rock pools. Had a lovely meal at the Beach Grill were we sat on the balcony. Have already booked for next year.
Our first visit to Saunton beach villas. This is a dog friendly place with a dog friendly beach. Situated just outside of two lovely towns with plenty of amenities. Lots of lovely places to visit. This is an ideal base for walks and visiting other town nearby. The villa is looking a little tired but the cleanliness was perfect. We will definitely be booking again.
Response from the owner 12:58 25 Jul 25
Thank you for your lovely review - we’re so glad you enjoyed your first stay with us! It’s great to hear you found the location ideal for exploring the area and that both the beach and dog-friendly touches hit the mark.We really appreciate your comments about the cleanliness - our team takes great pride in making sure everything is spotless for our guests. And thank you also for the note about the villa feeling a little tired - we’re always looking for ways to improve and refresh our spaces, so feedback like this is really helpful.We’re thrilled to hear you'll be booking again and look forward to welcoming you (and your pup!) back soon.
Great weekend at Saunton beach villas. We stayed in dunes 2 - spotlessly clean on arrival. Every thing you could want in a villa. Super friendly staff. Super dog friendly and we loved the doggy shower in the garden - Seconds walk to the beach. Check-in and checkout super easy and explained really well. |The beach grill restaurant was a big bonus too. Dog friendly and lovely staff. |Perfect stay with our fur baby. Will definitely be back
We had a wonderful time and the villa had everything you could need for your stay and I would recommend it for a great beach holiday
Response from the owner 08:33 08 Jul 25
Hi Catherine, thank you for leaving us this lovely 5 star review - we're delighted to know that you all had such a great stay and had everything you needed for a home-from-home experience! We very much hope to welcome you back!
The accommodation is spotlessly clean and comfortable if not luxurious. The positioning of the villas is very strange with windows from one chalet directly looking into the garden of the one next door. This results in compromised privacy for both. The location is perfect for the beach and the dog friendly measures are great for those with dogs. We were happy to bring our own towels but I was still a bit taken aback to only be provided with one measly hand towel in the bathroom. I was also expecting a dishwasher but perhaps that’s just me being overly demanding. Overall it’s a very nice place to stay with easy access to an excellent beach so don’t let the cons put you off.
Wow what a fantastic place to stay! Totally dog friendly, and a 5* beach that welcomes dogs all year round. The Villa was superb with everything you could possible need catered for, including a large fully fenced garden. Little touches like the dog treat box with a ball went down very will with our two dogs. If you have dogs and love the beach, book a break, you will not be disappointed.
We as a family can't love this place enough! This was our 3rd stay and we hope for many more. The villa is always clean with a personal touch to our welcome pack on the kitchen table. It has great WiFi to keep us entertained inside but to have the beach on the doorstep is where the real beauty is. Dog friendly and welcoming! Beautiful sights and amazing sounds. If you love the beach staying here is a must, no matter the season! ❤️
Our first time staying at Christmas, was perfect ! Accommodation superb, loved the hamper and decorations, and so easy to book and staff so friendly. Totally recommend, we had perfect family Christmas with our dog.
A Remarkable Retreat for All This place offers an exceptional experience, providing relaxation and convenience for everyone. It's perfect for families, groups, and even pets. Our dog especially loves it here, thanks to his new complimentary ball. Highly recommended!
We had a lovely impromptu 4-night stay at Saunton Beach Villas. It had everything we needed. The dogs loved their walks in the dunes and on the beach and there were some doggie treats on arrival. The heaters in the villa were good for the cooler November evenings. We were there on fireworks night but couldn’t hear any from indoors but they could be heard in the distance from the fully enclosed garden. Braunton is only 10 minutes drive for takeaways.
A really lovely, genuinely dog friendly place to stay. The staff on site were friendly and the location is beautiful. Despite being dog friendly, the villa was spotless when I checked.
My only note would be to ignore the outdoor dog shower promise. It's a hose pipe in the garden and within a couple seconds of being used you're in a deep muddy and sandy puddle so it makes things worse!
Visited saunton beach villa's for 2nd time for a 4 night break. Villa spotless, everything you need for a comfortable stay. Enclosed garden for our 4 dogs. Walks on the burrows or beach on the doorstep. Cafe and diner onsite if you fancy treating yourself. Location great for visiting Ilfracombe but Braunton village is also nice for a wander.
We have stayed here many times and have just returned from what has been a glorious sunny week. As always the Villa was clean and very comfortable. The fenced off gardens are ideal for dogs, and our two love the freedom of being able to roam in and out of the villa. With a two minute walk to the dog friendly, outstandingly beautiful, huge beach, you really don't need to go anywhere else during your stay (except popping to the beach shop to grab a pasty!). Saunton Villas is must for people holidaying with dogs, it is very dog friendly, and they are welcomed. Thanks you Saunton Villas!
Absolutely love Saunton Sands, the dog friendly beach and people you meet along the way, all like minded… it really is a lovely place! Having stayed this time at Saunton Beach Villas, can’t recommend this highly enough! The villas are beautifully built and kitted out with everything you need for a relaxing stay with your furry best friends! Nothing has not been thought of to make this as relaxing as possible and enjoyable for both the doggies and their humans! Really is a stones throw to the beach and all amenities have been thought of, from the reception that holds items for doggies, including homemade cookies and cream, to the shop that has everything you need, for a beach day! Equally the restaurant is highly recommended and they have a click and collect for food… dinner sorted too! Highly recommend everything about this beautiful place. Thank you for making our stay soo relaxing and enjoyable.
We took our two German Shepherds to Saunton Beach Villas and had a lovely time. It’s so dog friendly, made us feel really relaxed. Beach there is amazing for our dogs to run around. We will def be back!
Brilliant holiday accommodation. We stayed in Burrows 9 which was just perfect for 2 adults and 2 very large German shepherds. Lovely and clean accommodation and a wonderful personalised gift box for the dogs was on the table. We arrived later than scheduled due to traffic so I called them to let them know, they were very helpful and reassured us that the key code would be sent so we could access without any problems. They even checked on us the following day, em which was nice. The location is amazing 1 minute and we were on the Burrows for super walks and only 4 minutes walk to the most dog friendly beach - we did a 4 hour dog walk to crow point (fabulous). We can’t wait to return……
Great location and clean and tidy accommodation. All the basics catered for. We booked a four day vacation in the height of Summer and had a great time - would certainly recommend to anyone looking for a decent standard with no frills.
We had a great stay at 5 The Dunes. Perfect location for beautiful Saunton Sands beach. The villa was well equipped and ideal for a family and our 2 large dogs. Great value for money too in the school holidays.
I have just returned from a 4 day break to 3 Dunes at Saunton Beach villas with my teenage boys and our cavapoodle Bea 🙂 It had everything we needed, the location was amazing and the ability to have the back door open onto an enclosed garden was perfect. We did lots of beach walks and the food at the Beach Grill was delicious. tip - get your tesco delivery to your door !
What a lovely place to stay. Villa was clean and comfortable with everything you need for a self catering stay. The beach was gorgeous and our dog thoroughly enjoyed his runs on the beach and through the Burrows. Was sad to have to leave it behind and come home but would have no hesitation in returning perhaps for longer next time.
We had 3 nights at Saunton and really enjoyed it. The accomodation is clean and well equipped. You need to bring your own towels, but they tell you that in the info. Location is brilliant, so close to the beach.
Absolutely loved our stay here, the dog had so many walks. The staff were so helpful and welcoming. The villa was lovely and clean on arrival and the dog loved his box of treats left by the staff. Truly lived up to all our expectations from friends that had recommended Saunton Sands Villas to us. Our first stay here but will definitely be returning!!
Nice place, we had an 8 sleeper and it was certainly big enough for us all. Nice kitchen, clean, tidy, fresh bedding (don’t forget to take your towels), plenty of hot water and decent bathroom.
Well equipped kitchen and able to cook breakfast for all of us each morning.
The lawn area needs some attention and nicer furniture to sit on in the sun etc.
£850 for 3 nights was on the high side I thought but the location was amazing as right in the beach and tucked into the dunes!
As always a great stay in these perfectly located beach Villas. They are basic but perfectly clean, tidy and comfy, just what is needed for a beach holiday with or without dogs. Short walk to the stunning beach, absolute convenience and the beauty of the sand dunes opposite. Always found the reception, team, cleaners to be super friendly and helpful. Will visit again.
Clean, well appointed villa with comfortable beds, the dogs loved it and enjoyed the beach at least twice a day, occasionally more. I never made it to the beach because although I'd spoken to a member of staff before booking to ask about access through the dunes and was informed that that there were concrete paths I wasn't told that in places there were slopes, in particular the quite steep ramp down from the car park to the beach. Even if I'd made use of a beach wheelchair I would have needed assistance to get down and up the ramp and with four dogs to control my friend wouldn't have been able to push me. It spoiled the holiday for me and for my friend, who incidentally had nothing but praise for the members of staff she spoke to having left her laptop behind. They were friendly and helpful and organised it being returned to her as speedily as possible.
We have just got back from a short break here. Absolutely excellent location and accommodation. The most dog-friendly place we have ever stayed. The chalet was spotless and well equipped with a few nice 'doggy' touches - a doggy bag of treats including biscuits, a tennis ball, poo bags and a dog identity disc. Straight out of the chalet onto miles of dunes and an endless beach.
Our 4th stay in the villa but the first time we have arrived in daylight. As soon as we turned off the road, drank in the amazing view Peppa sat up wagging her tail & I swear was smiling the happiest doggy smile ever! Dunes 8 as always was spotlessly clean with the great addition of WiFi & smart tv's. Meant my husband could finish his work , our little girl could watch her favourite tea time programmes & mummy could sit outside with a glass of wine listening to the sea. We were extremely lucky with the weather, lots of long walks on the beach & burrows - absolutely perfect . As always sad faces on leaving & an absolutely exhausted dog! Already looking at dates for our next trip. Thank you once again for an amazing long weekend .
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