Pictures of Bideford
in the county of Devon
About Bideford
For the two hundred years between 1550 and 1750 Bideford held the reputation of being the principal port of north devon and, the home of a successful shipbuilding industry. A charter was granted by Queen Elizabeth 1 to Sir Richard Greville, who crewed his ship "Revenge" entirely with Bideford men. This vessel is famous for it's stand against the Spanish ships in the Azores.
Trade with american colonies brought wealth and prosperity to the town in the 17th and 18th centuries and many of the elegant Merchant houses, still to be seen today, date from this period. A famous landmark is the bridge spanning the River Torridge, this is of 15th century structure and is unusual that all 24 arches differ in width. Needless to say, over the centuries this bridge has been extensively renovated to enable it to take modern day heavy traffic.
To-day, Bideford is a lively resort which luckily still retains the flavour and charm of a small market town. Along the river Torridge there are quaint white houses to be seen and the lovely tree-lined quayside reveals an estuary full of smart yatchs and colourful fishing craft.
This popular town is immensely attractive and offers to visitors a wide range of seaside activities. You can take a pleasure boat trip around the many beautiful bays, laze and swim from local beaches, join a pony trek through the pretty countryside or simply amble around this pleasant town enjoying the variety of shops, inns and markets that are all there to tempt you.
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 Bideford
| Northam Burrows Country Park | (2.1 miles, 3.3 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Crow Point Lighthouse | (3.6 miles, 5.9 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| RHS Garden Rosemoor | (6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Milky Way Adventure Park, Clovelly | (7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Once Upon a Time, Woolacombe | (10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Arlington Court | (13.3 miles, 21.5 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park | (14.9 miles, 23.9 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Watermouth Castle | (14.9 miles, 24.0 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| The Valley of Rocks | (21.2 miles, 34.2 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Okehampton Castle | (21.7 miles, 35.0 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Glen Lyn Gorge | (21.9 miles, 35.2 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Lundy Island | (22.7 miles, 36.5 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Watersmeet House | (23.1 miles, 37.2 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| The Nine Maidens Stone Circle | (23.2 miles, 37.2 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Lynmouth Foreland Lighthouse | (24.1 miles, 38.8 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
All attractions in BidefordAll attractions in DevonComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Bideford
Appledore, in the county of Devon (2.7 miles, 4.3 km, direction N)
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
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Instow, in the county of Devon (2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction NE)
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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Croyde, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (8.0 miles, 12.8 km, direction N)
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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Clovelly, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction W)
Clovelly is beautiful, it retains an 'Olde Worlde' charm that even along this breathtaking coastline, is simply incomparable.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
High Bickington, in the county of Devon (9.7 miles, 15.7 km, direction E)
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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Hartland, in the county of Devon (12.0 miles, 19.2 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".
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Chittlehamholt, in the county of Devon (12.7 miles, 20.4 km, direction E)
Chittlehamholt is a lovely peaceful village lying in unspoilt countryside close to the River Taw.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Hartland Quay, in the county of Devon (14.2 miles, 22.8 km, direction W)
The beauty of Hartland Quay is only eclipsed by the rugged cliffs which loom above it.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Combe Martin, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (15.0 miles, 24.1 km, direction NE)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Mariansleigh, in the county of Devon (18.3 miles, 29.5 km, direction E)
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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Stratton, in the county of Cornwall (18.5 miles, 29.8 km, direction SW)
Stratton is a short distance inland from the resort of Bude and was the scene of a Civil War battle in 1643.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Bude, in the county of Cornwall (19.6 miles, 31.5 km, direction SW)
Backed in parts by grassy downs, the wide sandy sweep of Bude Bay with creamy waves flowing in endless procession from the Atlantic make this a perfect summer place for surfers.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Okehampton, in the county of Devon (21.2 miles, 34.1 km, direction SE)
There has been a settlement at Okehampton since the Bronze-Age, later it became a prosperous Saxon town with the Saxon Lords being overthrown at the time of the Conquest.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Zeal Monachorum, in the county of Devon (21.7 miles, 34.8 km, direction SE)
Set amid the rolling agricultural heartland of Devon, Zeal Monachorum is the very epitome of the perfect, tranquil Devonian village.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Oare, a Picturesque Village in the county of Somerset (25.3 miles, 40.8 km, direction NE)
Thus, it was unsurprising to learn that this was the setting for R.D.Blackmore's famous novel, Lorna Doone.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in DevonComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Barnstaple Station | (7.4 miles, 11.8 km, direction NE) |
| Chapleton Station | (8.0 miles, 12.8 km, direction E) |
| M5 Junction 28 | (37.7 miles, 60.7 km, direction E) |
| M5 Junction 27 | (37.8 miles, 60.9 km, direction E) |
| Exeter Airport | (39.5 miles, 63.6 km, direction SE) |
| Plymouth City Airport | (41.2 miles, 66.3 km, direction S) |
| Bideford to London | (180.2 miles, 290.0 km, direction E) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Bideford
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Bideford center |
| Tantons Hotel | (0.1 miles, 0.2 km) |
| The Royal Hotel | (1.1 miles, 1.8 km) |
| Durrant House Hotel | (1.1 miles, 1.8 km, direction N) |
| The Pines At Eastleigh | (2.4 miles, 3.8 km, direction E) |
| The Hoops Inn & Country Hotel | (5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction SW) |
| Cedars Inn | (6.8 miles, 10.9 km, direction NE) |
| The Saunton Sands Hotel | (7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction N) |
| The Barnstaple Hotel | (7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction NE) |
| The Imperial Hotel | (7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction NE) |
| The Park Hotel | (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction NE) |
| All hotels in Bideford |
