AROUND

Around Barton Court

While you are here, there are so many other things you can do in North Devon.

Bideford

Bideford is a working port with substantial throughput of aggregates, raw materials and clay extracts. Bideford has a purpose built container port and a thriving fishing industry as well as a regular ferry service to Lundy Island along with pleasure cruises throughout the season.

It is believed that Sir Walter Raleigh brought his first cargo of tobacco to Bideford and the town soon became one of the largest tobacco trading centres of that period.

One of Bideford’s most notable features is the Long Bridge with its 24 Arches, all of the arches have different spans, this depended upon the profitability of the local traders who contributed to the construction of the bridge. First constructed in 1280 out of wood as a pack horse bridge; the long bridge was reconstructed in its current stone form in the 16th Century. To ease the burden on the Long Bridge the Torridge Bridge was constructed in 1987, carrying traffic on the A39 you get a spectacular view of Bideford from the bridge.

Burton Art Gallery

The Burton Art Gallery in Victoria Park, Bideford, houses a permanent collection of Paintings, Porcelain and Pewter bequeathed to the town by the artist Hubert Coop. there is a Museum above the art gallery which features a section of the ancient oak from the original Long Bridge.

Victoria Park
So named to commemorate the reign of Queen Victoria was opened in 1912. On the entrance gates there is the old Bideford Seal some 400 years old. Nine cannon, believed to be captured from the Spaniards in the Armada, surround the bandstand. The park has an open-air pool for young children and a multipurpose skateboard Park along with other recreational facilities.

Buckland Brewer

The material for this section (photos and text) are reproduced with the kind permission of North Devon Focus who have photo tours of Bideford, Parkham and the surrounding areas including Abbotsham, Alwington, Horns Cross, Ford and Fairy Cross, Buckland Brewer, Bucks Mills, Clovelly, Hartland and Woolfardisworthy together with the popular tourist spots of Appledore, Instow and Westward Ho!

The Village of Buckland Brewer is surrounded by a diverse landscape of rolling-meadows, woodland, moor and forestry plantations. The Tower of the church of St. Mary is 75feet high and houses six bells which are rung regularly. The tower can be seen and heard for miles around.

Buckland Brewer is truly a farming community with many isolated farms spread out around the village. Today you can experience life in a traditional country setting and be within easy reach of the main port of Bideford and the pretty coastal villages of Appledore, Buck Mills, Clovelly, Hartland and Instow.

Westward Ho!, well known for its unique pebble ridge, golden sands and the Royal North Devon Golf Club is only 4 miles away. The Market Town of Great Torrington, home of Dartington Crystal, RHS Garden Rosemoor and the Torrington 1646 Civil War Experience is 12 miles away.

The village has its own Post Office and general store, Public House, Butchers shop, Church, Methodist chapel and Primary School, records show that there has been a village school here since 1877.

The Coach and Horses, still retains its low beamed ceilings and olde worlde charm. It was built as an inn and coaching house in the 13th century servicing the old thoroughfare from Bideford to Holsworthy. In the 17th Century it is reputed that the Inn was used as a Court room. Originally there was the Coach house, stables and shop (all thatched) set around a cobbled courtyard. The stables, Coach house and shop were destroyed in a fire in the early 1920’s. The stables were never rebuilt; however the coach house and shop were rebuilt as a garage.

The parish of Buckland Brewer is one of the largest in the area, nestling between the banks of two rivers, the Yeo and the Duntz. The parish starts at the most northern tip of Orleigh Mills, where the two rivers meet and runs approximately 5.5 miles to Thornhillhead at the edge of Thorne Moor to the south. The river Yeo meanders down through the Yeo valley then flows onward to join the Torridge at Landcross. There are a number of footpaths in the area including trails through Melbury, Powlers Piece and Winslade Forestry Plantations. There is a 12 acre fishery at Melbury Reservoir, stocked with mirror and common carp, bream, tench, roach, rudd, perch and eels.

Links to other sources of local information
North Devon Tourist Net
North Devon Marketing Bureau
Local Dining
The Coach and Horses
5 minutes walk in Buckland Brewer. 01237 451395. Good food, warm friendly welcome, family pub, garden, games room and skittles. It is a good idea to ring and book as they are always busy during summer periods and Christmas.

The Bell
5 minutes by car in Parkham. 01237 451201. Nice Village Pub with good food.

Cyder Press
15 minutes by car in Weare Giffard. 01237 425517. Pretty village, nice pub, good food.

Decks Restaurant
Instow. 01271 860671.

The Boathouse
Instow. 01271 860671.

Penhaven Country House Hotel
5 minutes by car in Parkham. 01237 451711. Table d’hôte and á la carte menus.

Hoops Inn
20 minutes by car at Horns Cross. 01237 451222. Lovely pub, good food.

Han Court (Chinese)
Fremington. 01271 373865.

Barton Road • Buckland Brewer • Bideford • North Devon • EX39 5LN
[email protected] • Tel +44 (0)1237 451539 • Fax +44 (0)1237 451181