Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Barnstaple, Devon

As an ancient town and port situated along the River Taw, Barnstaple acquired its charter from the Anglo-Saxon King Æthelstan in 930. The town center’s pedestrian streets and alleys are filled with historic sites, including almshouses, a Norman castle mound, and a quayside merchant’s hall, all of which are part of the Barnstaple Heritage Trail.

Barnstaple is located a few miles from the western boundary of Exmoor National Park, with the rugged beaches of the North Devon coast, such as Woolacombe and Saunton, easily accessible.

The town is often associated with the name “Tarka,” from Henry Williamson’s renowned novel Tarka the Otter (1927), which was set in the scenic North Devon countryside.

Here are the top attractions to explore in Barnstaple:

1. Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

You can familiarize yourself with Barnstaple at this conveniently located museum adjacent to the Medieval Barnstaple Long Bridge.

This brick and stone structure, featuring a charming courtyard, dates back to 1872 and has served various roles since hosting the museum in 1888. The exhibits include military artifacts from three Yeomanry Regiments, local pottery, 17th-century pewter, and furnishings from the renowned local Shapland & Petter Company, which operated for over 150 years until 2016. A captivating exhibit is a full-sized reconstruction of the front half of the Barnstaple Elephant.

This straight-tusked elephant was unearthed in the town in 1844 and belonged to a species that became extinct in the UK approximately 115,000 years ago. Fragments of the original tusks and bones can also be viewed.

2. Arlington Court

Located five miles from Barnstaple, the late-Georgian country house at Arlington Court is a worthwhile excursion.

Constructed in the early 1820s, this Neoclassical mansion possesses a stark granite facade that contrasts with its elaborately decorated interiors.

This property, managed by the National Trust, is largely accessible to the public, allowing visitors to tour 16 rooms, including the boudoir adorned with silk hangings, the music room, dining room, drawing room, and morning room.

The collections of the Chichester family are showcased here, featuring pewter plates and urns, model ships, an extensive assortment of around 3,000 shells, and a remarkable selection of delicate fabrics and costumes.

When the National Trust acquired the estate in 1949, an extraordinary find was discovered atop a wardrobe in the housemaid’s pantry: an original pen-and-ink drawing titled “The Sea of Time and Space” by the poet and artist William Blake.

3. National Trust Carriage Museum

Within the stable yard at Arlington Court resides the National Trust Carriage Museum, recognized as one of the UK’s most significant historic carriage exhibits. The museum houses over 40 carriages, which vary from luxurious state coaches to humble vehicles used by servants.

None of these carriages were owned by the Chichester family, who resided at this estate for more than six centuries; the collection commenced after a donation to the National Trust in 1964 by the 6th Marquess of Bute and was subsequently housed in Arlington Court’s stables.

Prominent examples warrant special attention, including the Craven State Chariot, constructed for the Earl of Craven in the mid-19th century, and the Antrobus Travelling Chariot, which carried diplomat Gibbs Crawford Antrobus across Europe during the same century.

4. Queen Anne’s Walk

This elegant colonnade and open space was envisioned in the early 18th century as a gathering place for the town’s merchants, conveniently located next to Barnstaple Quay.

Queen Anne’s Walk serves as a testament to the prosperity that trade with America brought to Barnstaple during the 1600s and 1700s.

It is believed to have been designed by William Talman, a pupil of Christopher Wren. The walk features a frieze/parapet adorned with the garlanded coats of arms of the 13 members of the Corporation of Barnstaple.

At the heart of the space stands a statue of Queen Anne, commissioned shortly after the victory at the Battle of Blenheim (1704) and presented by the local Tory MP Robert Rolle.

Long managed by the North Devon District Council, Queen Anne’s Walk has served various roles over the past few decades and, as of 2018, incorporates a new seafood restaurant.

5. Broomhill Sculpture Garden

Just outside Barnstaple, a captivating, densely wooded valley serves as the backdrop for an exceptional outdoor art exhibition.

Open year-round, the Broomhill Sculpture Garden spans ten acres and features more than 300 works from approximately 60 sculptors.

Housed within the grounds of a Victorian hotel and restaurant, this establishment has transformed over the past 20 years into a must-visit location.

During the summer months, you can observe the ten entries for the Broomhill National Sculpture Prize, an award introduced in 2009 for UK-based sculpture students.

There is no fixed path within the Sculpture Garden, allowing visitors the freedom to explore along winding slopes, meadows, and beside a lake.

6. Pannier Market and Butchers’ Row

Both a beautiful sight and an invaluable amenity, the Pannier Market and Butchers’ Row are located in front of Barnstaple’s elegant Georgian Guildhall on the High Street.

A crucial regional market has been conducted in Barnstaple for over 1,000 years, tracing back to Saxon times.

New hygiene regulations introduced in the mid-19th century necessitated the construction of a new market hall, completed in 1856. This impressive building boasts a double row of iron columns supporting a glass and timber roof.

The market operates six days a week, offering a variety of goods daily, except Wednesdays, which are reserved for arts, collectibles, and books.

On Mondays and Thursdays, a craft market prevails alongside the food stalls.

On the southern side of the Pannier Market is the delightful Butchers’ Row, comprising ten permanent shops under a distinctive overhanging iron roof.

Previously dedicated to butchers, these shops now include bakeries, a patisserie, fishmonger, café, and a grocer offering Devon clotted cream.

7. St Anne’s Chapel

Situated amid pedestrianized streets in the graveyard of the parish church between Barnstaple’s two principal shopping streets, St Anne’s Chapel is an intriguing Gothic structure dating back to the early 14th century.

Originally established as a chantry chapel, this site was financed by affluent individuals to allow for prayers for their souls.

Chantry chapels were abolished by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and the building was acquired by the Mayor of Barnstaple in 1585. Throughout its history, the chapel has served as a grammar school.

Having undergone restoration in 2012, St Anne’s Chapel is now available for events and serves as a visually appealing landmark in the town center.

8. Barnstaple Castle

Adjacent to the public library, a prominent hillock indicates the site of Barnstaple’s Norman motte-and-bailey castle.

This hilltop remains a testament to Norman engineering skill, remaining intact approximately 750 years after the castle was deserted.

Furthermore, the Castle Green’s motte was constructed directly atop a Saxon graveyard, hinting at the historical dynamics between the town and its Norman conquerors.

The mound was landscaped during the Victorian era, and its summit, surrounded by trees, features benches offering scenic views of the town and the Taw Valley.

9. Penrose’s Almshouses

Located on Litchdon Street, these operational almshouses are a significant part of the Barnstaple Heritage Trail and are worth viewing from the outside.

This Grade I-listed complex was constructed in the 1620s per the will of John Penrose, former Mayor of Barnstaple, and encompasses 20 dwellings surrounding a courtyard, with each unit equipped with its own vegetable garden. The entrance features a granite colonnade, bearing the inscription, “this howse was founded by Mr John Penrose, marchant, sometime maior of this towne. Ano Do 1627.”

Above the colonnade is an intricately adorned original lead gutter, decorated with castellations, Tudor roses, and oak leaves.

On most days, visitors can access the courtyard to view the late-17th-century water pump, a designated Grade II monument.

10. Exmoor Zoo

Located within Barnstaple Borough yet ten miles from the town center, Exmoor Zoo is positioned on the brink of the national park.

The zoo is nestled within a picturesque valley and emphasizes smaller animals and rare species often not found in UK zoological parks. Notable inhabitants include uncommon cat species, such as sand cats, fishing cats, rust spotted cats, and the sole pair of black leopards in the UK. Alongside these, visitors can find crowd-friendly creatures such as meerkats, cheetahs, capybaras, alpacas, howler monkeys, and red-necked wallabies.

What distinguishes Exmoor Zoo is its extensive schedule of keeper talks and interactive sessions throughout the day.

Visitors can feed and pet wallabies, meet alpacas, handle snakes and spiders, feed tortoises, and engage in informative discussions about the park’s distinctive yellow-throated martens.

11. South West Coast Path

This 630-mile walking trail encircling the South West peninsula of England is known as the most demanding of the UK’s national trails.

This is particularly true for the 70-mile segment that stretches between Minehead, the northern trailhead, and Barnstaple.

If you are prepared for the challenge, you will require at least six days to complete this trek, which guides you through Exmoor National Park along Britain’s highest coastline.

While six days may seem extensive, it is certainly worthwhile to traverse a shorter section in Exmoor, especially in autumn when the vibrant purple heather is in bloom and the hearty red deer stags display during rutting season.

For a more leisurely walk along the South West Coast Path, you can follow the Taw Estuary for a couple of miles down to Ashford, where you can appreciate waterfowl, aquatic birds, and small rocky beaches.

12. Saunton Sands

If you are willing to travel further, there exists a multitude of remarkable beaches within driving distance.

Saunton Sands represents the closest and most stunning option; however, the rocky cove at Barricane Beach, the surf beach at Croyde, and the expansive sands of Woolacombe Beach also merit your consideration.

Located seven miles down the Taw River, Saunton Sands boasts a similar awe-inspiring landscape.

This west-facing beach features miles of golden sands.

The ample space and gentle swells are ideal for surfers, particularly longboarders and beginners.

Families will also find plenty of suitable space, with a gentle slope providing a safe and shallow area for children to play.

Although amenities may seem limited at this secluded beach, there are facilities for deck chair and beach hut rentals, a beach shop, and a hut offering snacks and beverages.

13. Barnstaple Long Bridge

Spanning the Taw River in the heart of town, Barnstaple features one of the longest Medieval bridges in Britain, measuring 159 meters.

The exact date of this Grade I monument’s construction remains uncertain; however, its earliest documented mention dates back to 1276. Like many structures from this era, the Long Bridge has undergone numerous repairs and modifications over the years, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries when it was broadened and supplied with a footpath.

The bridge consists of 16 spans of varying lengths, with cutwaters between each arch.

For another remarkable Medieval bridge, consider visiting Bideford Long Bridge, located ten miles away over the River Torridge and also dating from approximately the 13th century.

14. Tarka Line

Named after the esteemed novel Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson, which is set in North Devon, the Tarka Line is a picturesque segment of the Great Western Railway that connects Barnstaple and Exeter.

This 39-mile route meanders through the Taw and Yeo river valleys amidst lush countryside.

Opened in 1854, this branch line not only serves as an aesthetically pleasing means of traveling to the cathedral city of Exeter but also offers a safe way to access rural pubs.

The Tarka Line rail ale trail showcases an itinerary featuring 18 establishments along the route (as of 2018).

The historic market town of Crediton is a recommended stop, while Eggesford is notable for being the site of the UK’s first state forest, planted in 1919. Continuing the Tarka theme in Barnstaple, the Tarka Trail bicycle trail has its own bike rental facility located at Barnstaple Railway Station.

15. Heddon Valley

Within the borough limits, the Heddon Valley is a river valley that descends to the sea through a dense expanse of oak woodland, located on the western fringe of Exmoor National Park.

The valley is protected by the National Trust and serves as an ideal introduction to Exmoor from Barnstaple.

Near the National Trust’s car park is Heddon’s Mouth, a quaint pebble beach where towering valley walls rise to more than 200 meters in proximity to the river.

You can venture onto the moorland of the Hangman Hills, tracing former miners’ paths to the abandoned iron ore works at Blackstone Point or opt for a steep route leading down to the cove at Woody Bay, a swimming location overshadowed by monumental cliffs.