Guides › England, UK › Barnstaple, UK
City guide

Barnstaple, UK

Barnstaple is a town and civil parish in the North Devon district of Devon, England. The town lies at the River Taw's lowest crossing point before the Bristol Channel.

Type City

Why go

  • Town in Devon, England.
  • Served by Belle Vue Airfield.

History

Barnstaple is a town and civil parish in the North Devon district of Devon, England. The town lies at the River Taw's lowest crossing point before the Bristol Channel. From the 14th century, it was licensed to export wool from which it earned great wealth. Later it imported Irish wool, but its harbour silted up and other trades developed such as shipbuilding, foundries and sawmills. A Victorian market building survives, with a high glass and timber roof on iron columns.

Airports

Royal Marines Base Chivenor 4 mi to the centre
Chivenor, ENG, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Eaglescott Airfield 11 mi to the centre
Umberleigh, Devon, ENG, GB
Outdoor
Belle Vue Airfield 7.3 mi to the centre
Torrington, Devon, ENG, GB
Outdoor
Gorrel Farm Airstrip 17 mi to the centre
ENG, GB
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Instow
Ferry terminal · 6 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Instow - Appledore Ferry
Ferry route
Outdoor
Lundy Ferry
Ferry route · National Trust
Outdoor
Bideford – Lundy
Ferry route
Outdoor
Ilfracombe – Lundy
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Belle Vue Airfield; 7 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 1 ferry terminal within 12 mi (nearest: Instow, 6 mi); routes include Instow - Appledore Ferry, Lundy Ferry, Bideford – Lundy.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Barnstaple, UK. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Tours & experiences