Attractions and Places To See around Barnstaple - Top 20

Barnstaple is a great base for outdoor adventures. You can explore the extensive Tarka Trail, which offers traffic-free cycling and walking through diverse scenery. For more specific routes, there are numerous easy hikes, running trails, and mountain biking routes available. For example, you can find various easy hikes around Barnstaple, including loops from Queen Anne's Walk or Barnstaple Castle, by checking the Easy hikes around Barnstaple guide.

Yes, Barnstaple boasts a rich history. The iconic Barnstaple Clock Tower is part of the historic Barnstaple Long Bridge, one of Britain's longest medieval bridges. You can also visit the ruins of Barnstaple Castle, St Peter's Church with its distinctive twisted spire, and the 14th-century St Anne's Chapel, which now houses a local heritage museum. Don't miss Queen Anne's Walk, an ornate 18th-century mercantile exchange.

Families will find plenty to do. The Tarka Trail offers safe, traffic-free paths suitable for all ages, with sections like Instow to Fremington being particularly easy. Rock Park provides scenic views, formal gardens, woodlands, and play areas. Slightly further afield, the Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park and Exmoor Zoo are popular choices for a day out with children.

The Tarka Trail: Instow to Fremington section is known for being wheelchair accessible, offering a flat surface along the river with opportunities to observe wildlife. This part of the Tarka Trail is ideal for those seeking easy, paved routes.

Beyond the town, Barnstaple is a gateway to stunning natural beauty. The Isley Marsh Nature Reserve is a haven for various bird species, with saltmarsh and intertidal mudflats. You can also easily access Exmoor National Park, the North Devon coastline, Braunton Burrows (known for its botanical richness), and Uppacott Wood for mature oak woodlands.

Barnstaple offers several cultural highlights. The historic Barnstaple Pannier Market, housed in a Victorian building from 1855, is one of Britain's largest indoor markets, offering local produce and crafts. Adjacent Butchers' Row features independent shops. The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon provides insights into the region's social history and natural heritage, including a Tarka Gallery.

Absolutely. Barnstaple is surrounded by excellent hiking opportunities. The Tarka Trail offers long-distance walking, and for shorter, easier options, you can explore routes like the Queen Anne's Walk – Barnstaple Castle loop or the Barnstaple Castle – Taw Estuary loop. More detailed routes can be found in the Easy hikes around Barnstaple guide.

The Tarka Trail is the premier cycling route, offering miles of traffic-free path. Sections like Fremington to Barnstaple are very popular. For mountain biking enthusiasts, there are trails such as the Barnstaple Clock Tower – Barnstaple Long Bridge loop or the Taw Estuary – Quay Café loop. You can explore more options in the MTB Trails around Barnstaple guide.

Beyond the main attractions, consider visiting Velator Quay in Braunton, a tranquil spot with a rich history as a 19th-century port, now popular with walkers and nature lovers. Uppacott Wood offers mature oak woodland and diverse plant species for a peaceful natural escape. Marwood Hill Gardens, a short drive away, is renowned for its colorful plant displays and woodland walks.

The spring and summer months (April to September) generally offer the most pleasant weather for outdoor activities like cycling, hiking, and exploring natural reserves. The Tarka Trail and other walking paths are enjoyable during these seasons. However, the region's natural beauty, including birdwatching at Isley Marsh, can be appreciated year-round, with winter offering unique wildlife viewing opportunities.

Yes, Barnstaple offers several running trails. Many runners utilize sections of the Tarka Trail for its flat, traffic-free surface. For more structured routes, you can find options like the Black Rock Pit loop or the Barnstaple Clock Tower – River Taw loop. Discover more trails in the Running Trails around Barnstaple guide.

The Barnstaple area, particularly around the River Taw estuary and nature reserves, is rich in wildlife. At Isley Marsh Nature Reserve, you can spot various bird species such as teal, curlew, greenshank, dunlin, and even spoonbills, especially during winter months. The Tarka Trail is named after Henry Williamson's 'Tarka the Otter,' and while otters are elusive, you might see other river wildlife.