Exploring historic Barnstaple by foot: discovering North Devon's charming market town and its scenic riverside paths
Journey to Barnstaple, North Devon’s bustling heart, and experience the ease of arrival by rail. The scenic Tarka Line from Exeter delivers you right to the edge of town, a delightful start to your car-free adventure. From the station, a short stroll across the historic Barnstaple Long Bridge, spanning the River Taw, leads you directly into the town centre, offering picturesque views as you go.
Immerse yourself in local life at the iconic Pannier Market, a vibrant hub of stalls and artisan goods housed in a stunning Victorian building. Adjacent Butchers Row, with its independent shops and eateries, invites further exploration. Delve into the region’s past at the Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon, or discover the remnants of Barnstaple Castle’s Norman motte, providing lovely vistas across the Taw Valley.
For those who love to wander, the celebrated Tarka Trail offers miles of flat walking and cycling paths along a disused railway line, revealing tranquil estuary views and connecting to charming villages. Stroll along Queen Anne’s Walk, admiring its historic architecture, once the Merchants Exchange. While Barnstaple provides a wonderful base for reaching North Devon’s stunning coastline and the fringes of Exmoor National Park via local bus services, the town itself is a treasure trove ready to be explored at a leisurely pace.
