BARNSTAPLE, whilst ranking among the oldest boroughs in the kingdom, strikes the visitor as a progressive little town, full of cheerful busyness, and for the tourist who has only a few days in which to explore North Devon there Is no more convenient headquarters.

 

Geographically, and in regard to roads and railway routes, it is centrally situated, and of late years has become popular not only with all classes of summer visitors but with permanent residents. It has good shops and social amenities and facilities for education and sport are excellent and the climate is good.

 

Many visitors approach the town from the Bridge, 700 feet long, which spans the river Taw, and the first impression is a pleasant one. The town proper lies in a charming valley, and the residential streets meander up the hillsides away from the business thoroughfares. On the right hand is the valley of the Taw on the left the river widens out until, at Instow, 6 miles below, it joins the Torridge, and, thus augmented, flows into the sea.

 

The bridge is called the Long Bridge to distinguish it from the shorter Pilton Bridge over the Yeo. It was built about

 

1350, widened in 1796, again in 1810 and in 1865, and was further improved in 1925.

Local towns and villages to visit

Appledore

Barnstaple

Bideford

Braunton

Great Torrington

Instow

Woolacombe

 

Attractions

MAP

Local Accommodation 

Property For Sale in Barnstaple