Barnstaple is the oldest borough in the country and is the commercial and agricultural centre of North Devon. A must visit for anyone seeking serious retail therapy. Saxons first settled in Barnstaple (Barum) over 1000 years ago; In 930 AD it was a Saxon stronghold serving as a market for the surrounding countryside.
Today it has a wonderful mixture of Victorian, Medieval and Georgian architecture and is proud to be a multiple winner of Britain in Bloom. Visit the Barnstaple Heritage Centre, sited in a fine Grade 1 listed building to learn more about the town's 1000 year history. Form more information on Barnstaple visit the local Tourist Information Centre.
Barnstaple general markets are held every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at the Pannier Market, Town Centre, between 8am and 3pm.
Great Torrington is known as the Cavalier Town as it played a significant role in the English Civil War (Battle of Great Torrington in 1646).
It is sited on the top of an inland cliff, which provides extraordinary views of the valley and River Torridge below. It is a vibrant community and people in the town, proud of their heritage, can often be seen dressed in costume for re-enactments, festivals and celebrations.
Sited on top of an inland cliff, Great Torrington provides extraordinary views of the valley and River Torridge below. As a Cavalier town, Great Torrington played a significant role in the English Civil War (Battle of Great Torrington 1646) which is told by costume characters at the 1646 visitor centre. The Nearby attractions of the RHS Garden Rosemoor and Dartington Crystal make Great Torrington a great place to visit and why not stop for a hearty lunch in the town centre at the Plough Arts Centre - the gift shop is not to be missed.
Torrington general market stalls are on Thursdays and Saturdays at Market Hall, Torrington, between 10.00am and 4.00pm
Make Bideford your base and you’ll have the best in pubs, music and restaurants to satisfy every palate. Visit the pannier market or wander through the traffic free lanes, you’ll find Bideford is the perfect place for a spot of retail therapy. There are lanes lined with quirkly little shops packed with all manner of interesting items, and when it’s time for a break you can stop at one of the many pavement cafes for a coffee and a pasty. If you fancy a spot of brand name shopping head out of town to the Atlantic Village outlet for bargains galore.
Stroll along the quay and admire the expansive waterfront, or take a stroll around the fortnightly farmers market. For cyclists and walkers, there is the tarka trail, free of traffic to explore the lovely scenery. Victoria park boasts a wonderful children’s play area and free splash pool which is popular on sunny days.
A ferry operates between Bideford quay and Lundy Island, which lies about 22 miles (35 km) away in the Bristol Channel. The same ship, the MS Oldenburg, also provides evening cruises from Bideford along the River Torridge.
Bideford Farmers Market held every Tuesday and Saturday at the Market Place, Town Centre, between 8am and 3pm.
South Molton is ideally situated as a base to explore the beautiful countryside of North Devon and Mid Devon, Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks.
There is much to do in and around the town for visitors of all ages. There is a honey farm where you can watch the bees working behind glass, a chocolate factory where you can indulge yourself and an award-winning museum. A town trail, if you have an hour or two to spare, will give you lots of information on the history and architecture of South Molton.
You will also find excellent Devon scenery with some fabulous countryside with lots of walks and a growing cycle network to take you across Exmoor and North Devon. Information available in the Tourist Information Centre.
