Pictures of Barnstaple

a Historic Market Town in the county of Devon

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About Barnstaple

The surrounding countryside to the pleasant town of Barnstaple was the inspiration for the book - Tarka the Otter. This is unsurprising as the town nestles amidst fine Devonshire countryside in the valley of the River Taw at a point where the river is spanned by a 15th-century multi-arched Long Bridge. The town has been the administrative, commercial and agricultural centre for North Devon since Saxon times and is believed to be the oldest Borough in England.

Barnstaple has some noted historic buildings and the parish church of St.Peter, consecrated in 1318, is easily identified by it's twisted wood and lead spire that dates from early in the 17th-century. Queen Anne's walk (1609-29) was once a meeting place for merchants and ship owners whose bargains were settled on the Tome Stone, used as a money table. Castle House stands upon the ground of a former castle - some of the stone from the castle was used in the structure of Castle House. A fine building of 1456 was used as a grammar school from the end of the 17th-century until 1910 and John Gay who wrote The Beggar's Opera was once a pupil here and there are items associated with him on display in the museum.

Perhaps of all the historic buildings in Barnstaple, the great Regency House called Arlington Court ranks as one of the finest. It is stunningly set in wonderous parkland grazed by herds of Jacob sheep and Shetland ponies, buzzards can be seen here and by the lake, a sanctury for wild duck, is a heronry. The house, once a private home belonging to Miss Rosalie Chichester who lived here for 84 years, contains a vast treasure chest of objects collected by Miss Chichester from all over the world. Importantly, in around 1948 discovered among the rubbish on top of a cupboard in the house, was Blake's water-colour - The Circle of the Life of Man. It is thought to have been bought direct from William Blake by the first owner of Arlington, Colonel J.P.Chichester. The elaborate composition, supreme condition and unusual technique make the painting exceptional in the range of Blake's art. The Stable block has a fine display of 19th-century horse drawn carraiges. This amazing property is open to the public from March to october and is well worth a visit.

Barnstaple is a lively town and makes an ideal centre from which to explore the beautiful coastal towns and villages of North Devon and beyond. It also provides easy access to the wonders of Exmoor Forest. It is a spacious genteel town with pleasant walks and gardens, it offers a warm welcome to visitors and has a wide selection of restaurants, inns and public houses. There are excellent recreational facilities and the shopping experience is excellent. It is a town to enjoy and from which you will garner many happy memories. Other places of interest include; Branhams Pottery, Marwood Hill Gardens and Exmoor Zoological Park.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Barnstaple

Arlington Court	(5.7 miles, 9.2 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Crow Point Lighthouse	(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction W)	Pictures
Northam Burrows Country Park	(7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction W)	Pictures
Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park	(7.9 miles, 12.8 km, direction N)	Pictures
Once Upon a Time, Woolacombe	(8.0 miles, 12.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Watermouth Castle	(9.3 miles, 15.0 km, direction N)	Pictures
RHS Garden Rosemoor	(10.0 miles, 16.0 km, direction S)	Pictures
The Valley of Rocks	(13.6 miles, 21.9 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Glen Lyn Gorge	(14.2 miles, 22.9 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Watersmeet House	(15.4 miles, 24.7 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Milky Way Adventure Park, Clovelly	(15.5 miles, 25.0 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Lynmouth Foreland Lighthouse	(16.4 miles, 26.4 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Exmoor National Park	(18.2 miles, 29.2 km, direction E)	Pictures
Tarr Steps	(19.3 miles, 31.1 km, direction E)	Pictures

All attractions in Barnstaple
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Recommended towns near Barnstaple

Instow, in the county of Devon (5.4 miles, 8.8 km, direction W)
Instow is a gorgeous seaside resort with a mass of golden sands backed by a delightful village clambering upwards to meet with fine wooded countryside.
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Appledore, in the county of Devon (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction W)
Appledore is as enchanting as its name. It is a pretty place that shows a host of colourful fishermens cottages in the narrow streets beyond the quay
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High Bickington, in the county of Devon (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction S)
High Bickington lies in one of England's most beautiful and relaxing regions, it is a short distance from the meandering River Taw and is ideally set close to both Dartmoor and Exmoor.
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Croyde, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (8.0 miles, 12.8 km, direction NW)
Croyde village has a scattering of thatched, colourwashed cottages and other delightful buildings, all sheltered by dunes which stand between the village and the bay.
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Combe Martin, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction N)
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Chittlehamholt, in the county of Devon (9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction SE)
Chittlehamholt is a lovely peaceful village lying in unspoilt countryside close to the River Taw.
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Mariansleigh, in the county of Devon (13.4 miles, 21.5 km, direction SE)
This charming tiny village is set in lovely rural mid-Devonshire countryside within a short distance from the meandering River Mole in the beautiful Mole Valley, and the picturesque Crooked Oak stream.
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Clovelly, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (15.8 miles, 25.4 km, direction W)
Clovelly is beautiful, it retains an 'Olde Worlde' charm that even along this breathtaking coastline, is simply incomparable.
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Oare, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (17.5 miles, 28.2 km, direction NE)
Thus, it was unsurprising to learn that this was the setting for R.D.Blackmore's famous novel, Lorna Doone.
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Withypool, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (17.9 miles, 28.9 km, direction E)
R.D.Blackmore wrote part of Lorna Doone in the bar of the Royal Oak in Withypool and the famous artist Alfred Munnings had a...
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Hartland, in the county of Devon (19.3 miles, 31.1 km, direction W)
There is not a lot to beat the sound of waves crashing against the rocky promontory which was known by the Roman's as the "Promontory of Hercules".
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Culbone, in the county of Somerset (20.2 miles, 32.5 km, direction NE)
A small hamlet that is not accessible by car. St Culbone's Church is the smallest parish church in England.
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Zeal Monachorum, in the county of Devon (20.7 miles, 33.3 km, direction SE)
Set amid the rolling agricultural heartland of Devon, Zeal Monachorum is the very epitome of the perfect, tranquil Devonian village.
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Hartland Quay, in the county of Devon (21.4 miles, 34.5 km, direction W)
The beauty of Hartland Quay is only eclipsed by the rugged cliffs which loom above it.
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Winsford, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (21.6 miles, 34.8 km, direction E)
One of the prettiest and most unspoilt of villages, steeped in history and mentioned in the Domesday book
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All towns in Devon
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Nearby travel help

Barnstaple Station	(0.6 miles, 0.9 km)
Chapleton Station	(4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction S)
M5 Junction 27	(32.6 miles, 52.5 km, direction E)
M5 Junction 28	(33.2 miles, 53.4 km, direction SE)
Exeter Airport	(36.5 miles, 58.8 km, direction SE)
Cardiff International Airport	(37.8 miles, 60.9 km, direction NE)
Barnstaple to London	(173.0 miles, 278.3 km, direction E)

Hotels & Accommodation in Barnstaple

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Barnstaple center
The Imperial Hotel	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
The Royal & Fortescue Hotel	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
The Park Hotel	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Yeo Dale Hotel	(0.5 miles, 0.9 km)
The Barnstaple Hotel	(0.9 miles, 1.4 km)
Cedars Inn	(1.1 miles, 1.8 km, direction W)
Stoke House Bed and Breakfast	(4.9 miles, 7.8 km, direction E)
The Pines At Eastleigh	(5.5 miles, 8.8 km, direction SW)
Bracken House Country Hotel	(6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction NE)
Foxhunters Inn	(6.2 miles, 9.9 km, direction NW)
All hotels in Barnstaple