Barnstaple is the largest town in North Devon, set where the River Taw widens towards the sea.
Barnstaple is the largest town in North Devon, set where the River Taw widens towards the sea. With its shops, market and rail link it makes a practical base for exploring the beaches, villages and walking routes of the north Devon coast.
The town’s landmarks are the covered Pannier Market and the old stone Long Bridge across the Taw. The Tarka Trail follows a former railway line and is a flat, easy route for cycling and walking along the estuary. The surf beaches at Braunton, Saunton Sands and Croyde are a short drive away. Trains on the Tarka Line run to Exeter, and if you are flying in, the nearest option is covered on our Exeter Airport (EXT) transfers page. For more places to stay along the coast and inland, see Ilfracombe and Exeter. Spring and early autumn are pleasant times to visit, with quieter beaches than in the school holidays.
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