- Golden beaches of Devon’s North Coast
- Shopping at Atlantic Village and Barnstaple Pannier Market
- Walking and cycling on the South West Coast Path and the Tarka Trail
Barnstaple lies at the lowest crossing point of the River Taw, 3 miles inland of the river mouth into the Bristol Channel, and is reputed to be the oldest borough in England. It continues to be an important market town for the region and has a lively centre, bustling with cafe’s, restaurants and shops – including many high street favourites as well as a wealth of independent traders. Many local products, trades and crafts can be found for sale in the glass and timber-roofed Victorian Pannier Market – voted one of the top 10 best food markets in the UK. Foodies will also love “Butchers Row” – 10 food shops in a Victorian arcade selling the finest local produce.
Bideford was once one of the busiest ports in the country, and is famous as the last place in England where women were hanged for witchcraft! Today Bideford is a quiet port town. One of its most notable landmarks is the 13th Century bridge over the River Torridge – with its 24 spans it is a testament to medieval engineering. A popular day out from Bideford if to catch the ferry across to the wildlife sanctuary that is the Island of Lundy. Bideford is also well known as being the home and inspiration for the author Charles Kingsley , a statue of the author can be found in the town and there is a museum dedicated to him in neighbouring Clovelly.
Food and Drink
Barnstaple has a thriving market culture – head to the Pannier Market which has markets on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Held in a grand Victorian market hall, with impressive steel columns and vaulted glass and wood roof, Barnstaple Pannier Market has been voted one of the top 10 food markets in the UK voted for by readers of the Independent. It is also home to the North Devon Food Festival in October. For the best local produce head to the row or 10 shops known as “Butchers Row” with their ornate decorations of caved Bath stone. Originally all butchers shops, two remain today and have been joined by grocers, bakers, delicatessen and fishmongers- so a great place to stock up on great fresh produce for your holiday in Barnstaple or the surrounding area.
Barnstaple and Bideford have most of the major supermarkets represented between them including: Somerfield, Morrison’s and Asda in Bideford, and Tesco and Sainsburys in Barnstaple. So you will have no difficulty in picking up the essentials for your stay in North Devon.
Family Attractions
The area’s fantastic beaches make a great choice for a cheap family day out, but if you fancy something away from the beach or undercover – there are lots of choices available to you. A short drive up the coast will take you to the Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, near Ilfracombe. This fantastic family attraction combining beautiful gardens, exotic animals and dinosaur replicas including the England’s full-size animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex.
For a taste of Devon rural life – head to The Big Sheep. Just outside Bideford, this attraction has entertainment for all the family from sheep racing, and dog and duck trials to to high energy fun of mountainboarding, High Ropes and outdoor laser combat games for the more adventurous, There is also an indoor soft play area for younger children.
Thrill seekers are well catered for at Milky Way Adventure Park near Clovelly, with roller coasters, indoor play areas, regular shows and the gruelling assault course ensure there is something here for everybody, whatever the weather.
Activities
North Devon is a paradise for those looking for an active holiday in the UK. Walkers, cyclists, horse riders, golfers, surfers and watersports enthusiasts are catrered for in abundance in the coast anad countryside surrounding Barnstaple and Bideford.
The finest surfing in the area can be found at the famous Croyde Bay, or if you are just starting out or prefer body-boarding, you might be best to head for Westward Ho!, Woolacombe or Saunton Sands – all of which are great expanses of sand and have plenty of room for everyone. They are also popular spots for kite surfing, windsurfing and sea kayaking. Equipment hire and tuition is available at most beaches in the area.
Golfers are very well provided for in the Bideford and Barnstaple area. The Royal North Devon Golf Club is less than 5 miles from Bideford and is reputed as one of the finest links courses in the country. It is the oldest course in England and regarded as the “St Andrews of the South”. Green fees start at around £45 and usually need to be booked in advance. Saunton Golf Course is also close by – just 8 miles from Barnstaple. Another fantastic links course, it backs onto the dunes of Braunton Burrows. Visitors are usually accepted, but it is advisable to book in advance – green fees start at £42.
Walking and cycling enthusiasts are spoilt for choice in when visiting Bideford and Barnstaple. The Tarka Trail is a 180mile figure of eight route that is based on the travels of “Tarka the Otter” in the book of the same name by Henry Williamson. One stretch of this trail follows the old railway line between Barnstaple and Bideford and is very popular with cyclists. Both towns are also great for exploring the South West Coast Path, Exmoor and The Two Moors Way.
History and Heritage
Barnstaple can trace its origins back to a Saxon settlement in around 930AD, where even then its was a market town for the area. Today it has a wonderful mixture of Victorian, Medieval and Georgian architecture and has won several Britain in Bloom awards. The Barnstaple Heritage Centre, sited in a fine Grade 1 listed building is great for finding out more about the town's 1000 year history. TheVictorian Pannier Market and Butchers Row are also buildings of historical interest in the town.
Today Bideford is known as the little white town, and has changed little over the years. It is a large market town and port with an active fishing industry. In the 16th Century, Bideford was thought to be Britain's 3rd largest port and was used by Sir Walter Raleigh. Its maritime history is celebrated home to the Kathleen and May - the only three-masted schooner in existence. Like Barnstaple, Bideford also has a pannier market, dating from 1884. It also boasts a statue to the writer Charles Kingsley which is a permanent reminder of Bideford's most famous resident. Both towns have spectacular medieval long bridges, spanning the Rivers Taw and Torridge.
Nearby, the National Trust property of Arlington Court & Carriage Museum is a delightful Regency house, set in extensive estate. It houses the National Trust's largest collection of horse-drawn carriages, varied collections within the house and has Devon’s largest colony of lesser horseshoe bats. A day can by completed with a walk or a carriage rede around the charming Victorian pleasure grounds where Jacob sheep, red deer and peacocks.
To fire yours and the kids’ imaginations and learn a bit about the history of the area you are staying why not check out a “Treasure Trail”. This award winning activity is perfect for getting to know the area – as you are given a series of clues by which to navigate your way around the sites! There are over 40 trails in Devon – and both Barnstaple and Bideford both have walking trails Both have murder mystery themes and are around 1 ½ miles long. Treasure Trails cost £5 and you can download one from: http://www.treasuretrails.co.uk/
Other interesting historical sites in the area include the Barnstaple and Lynton Railway (1898 - 1935) Hartland Abbey, Clovelly village and Ilfracombe’s Tunnel Beaches.
Events
North Devon Food Festival held in Barnstaple’s Pannier Market in October.
Bideford is renowned for its New Year's Eve celebrations, when thousands of people - most in fancy dress - from surrounding towns, villages and around the world gather on the quay for revelries and a fireworks display. During June the annual Gold Coast Oceanfest is held in nearby Croyde, The event is a celebration of music, sport, and environmental awareness and features live music, international artists and sports workshops at what is one of the most popular surfing spots in Europe.
Beach Guide
Barnstaple and Bideford are close to a huge number of fantastic beaches. Whether you are looking for big waves to surf on, sheltered sandy beaches to build sandcastles with the kids or secluded coves only accessible on foot – you are spoilt for choice in North Devon. Here are some of the nearest beaches to Barnstaple and Bideford that you might like to explore.
Westward Ho! to the west of the Taw and Torridge Estuary in Bideford Bay, is a huge expanse of sand – extending over 2 miles and backed by the dunes of the Northam Burrows. A Blue Flag Beach, it is great for families and has a seasonal lifeguard patrol. Because of its size and relatively quiet conditions it is also a great place for watersports of all kinds, Westward Ho! is popular for kitesurfing, canoeing and kayaking and even kite buggy racing at low tide! It is ideal for those learning to surf – as there are usually good waves, but they are not as big or powerful as at other beaches in the area such as Croyde. Parking, toilets and some cafes and shops are available in the town or Westward Ho! itself and there are excellent rockpools at the western end while the tide is out.
Instow beach is located on the edge of the Torridge estuary, and is blessed with fine, soft sand. The beach is on the estuary as opposed to directly onto the Atlantic, meaning it is more sheltered than many beaches in the area and ideal for families. Huge expanses of sand are exposed at low tide and the beach is popular with families and for fishing and sailing. In the summer, a ferry service runs across to the village of Appledore - it’s equivalent on the opposite side of the River Torridge. Parking is available in the village. Access with dogs is restricted.
Saunton Sands is an impressive three mile long expanse of sandy beach approximately 8 miles from Barnstaple. The beach faces due west and is cut off to the south by the combined estuaries of the rivers Taw and Torridge. The beach is backed by vast sand dunes – the highest in the country, known as Braunton Burrows This is a popular beach with surfers and makes claims to being the best longboard beach in the country, the waves are less ferocious than those found at neighbouring Croyde. Great for families, there are lifeguards in the summer and facilities including: toilet, shop and Sands Café Bar. Dogs are allowed on the beach provided that owners clean up after them.
Croyde is a world famous sandy beach, backed by sand dunes and situated in a small bay approximately 10 miles from Barnstaple. The stepped beach and rocks make it one of the best for surfing in Europe. A Blue Flag beach, it is popular throughout the year and has a lifeguard service between May and September. No dogs are permitted on the Beach at Croyde.
Shopping
Bideford and Barnstaple have a good choice of shops between them. Barnstaple has the Green Lanes Shopping Centre which is home to 40 high street names, and is also home to a great selection of independent stores for those unique gifts. Bideford has Atlantic Village, North Devon’s largest shopping centre. Just outside the town, it offers over 35 outlet shops and places to eat. Home to various high street names but with saving of up to 50% off RRPs, there is a great choice of shops ideal for treating yourself of the loved ones at home. There is also the on-site Atlantis Adventure Park complete with indoor & outdoor play areas, trampolines and mystery maze to help keep the kids entertained.
Travel
Bideford and Barnstaple are served by the A361 North Devon Link Road which connects them to Junction 27 of the M5 Motorway. They are also linked by the A39 Atlantic Highway to Exmoor, Bridgwater and Bath to the East and Bude and then Wadebridge to the West.
Barnstaple has a railway station and is the final stop on the Tarka Line from Exeter, serviced by First Great Western. Connections are available from Exeter to destinations across the UK.
Barnstaple and Bideford both have National Express coach stations. Local connections to towns and villages are serviced by a number of providers- including First Devon and Cornwall, Stagecoach Devon and Beacon Bus.