Location
Out and about in North Devon
Appledore has an unspoilt charm, from the many fishermen’s cottages tucked away in a maze of narrow cobbled pathways to the quayside with shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants everything is but a short stroll away.
The sea is almost outside your front door as Irsha Street runs along the mouth of the estuary where the Rivers Taw and Torridge meet the sea. Take a walk (at low tide) along the coastline from the Lifeboat station at one end of Irsha Street and splash through the rock pools and sea shore. This walk takes you right up to the main village car park and one of its two play grounds. Here you’ll join the busy Appledore Quay with its fishing boats and the Hockings ice cream van. A Hockings ice cream an experience to repeat on several occasions during your visit as the ice cream is still made by the Hocking family in Appledore.
Local Amenities
Local Shops
Appledore has a Co-op which is almost open all hours.
A new (2008) John’s Delicatessen, which is next to the Co-op on the Quay.
Schooners Coffee shop in Market Street also sells fresh bread and cakes.
Local Restaurants
On Irsha Street: The Royal George and The Beaver in Irsha Street both offer food with fresh fish on the menu daily.
Restaurants in the Village: Bensons and The Quay are both good local restaurant located on the Quay. In Northam, you’ll find Memories is a lovely local restaurant and more of an occasion place.
Pubs: The Sea Gate Hotel, opposite the car park, has both a bar menu and a restaurant menu. The Royal and The Coach and Horses in Market Street offer good value food and most of the pubs have live music during the weekends. Sunday Lunch is great value in all of the local pubs and usually requires booking.
Take-away: You must try the village fish and chip shop on the corner of Market and Meeting Street, just off the Quay. Good fresh local fish and chips – but watch the restricted opening hours, they close by 9 most evenings! Chinese (delivers) and fish and chips are also available in Northam (nearest local village).
Westward Ho!: Pot Wallopers is a well established and well regarded bistro style restaurant and usually very busy, so do book.
Instow also has some good pubs, The Boathouse and Decks Restaurant is great for a special occasion but do take a Taxi! Further afield The Lemon Grass Thai restaurant in Braunton is a great favourite of ours. We’ve had good reports about The Old Custom’s House in Barnstaple but haven’t eaten there ourselves as yet. www.eatoutdevon.com
Maritime Museum
With Appledore's seafaring history, its Maritime Museum at the top of the village is well worth a visit. Odun Rd, Appledore, Bideford, EX39 1PT 01237 422064
Arts and Crafts
North Devon is a haven for designers, photographers and sculptors. Appledore has more than its fair share of talented and creative artists and this is reflected in the many galleries and art shops in the village.
Nearby Beaches
The closest great family beach with lifeguards is at Westwood Ho!, just 1.5 miles along the lane, or a lovely walk across the Burrows, away. You’ll find excellent parking and an ice cream van always in attendance in the summer. There is also a Burrows visitor Centre, to the right of the car park with toilets.
Just across the estuary from Appledore lies Instow, a lovely sandy beach which in the summer can be reached by the Appledore Ferry (tides permitting). By car it’s a short drive – 15 minutes. Instow also has some good pubs, The Boathouse and Decks to name but two.
Other favourites are the National Trust's Sandymouth Bay and Duck Pool just north of Bude.
Bude itself is about a 40 minute drive away and worth a visit as it has a fab pasty shop and there’s nothing quite like a hot pasty on the beach!
Hartland Quay and Point are great for a coastal walk (good pub to start and/or end the walk too) and also has a beach, which is much loved by surfers. Hartland Quay also has a small museum.
North of Barnstaple you’ll find Saunton Sands, Croyde, Woolacombe Putsborough & Barricane Beaches. With the new Bridge over the Torridge you can avoid the car park that was Barnstaple and these beaches are now a pleasant drive away.
Walkers and Cyclists
The North Devon Coastal Path is approx 200m or so from the front door.
Tarka Trail
For families and cyclists the popular Tarka Trail is a gentle off-road cycle route along the scenic banks of the Rivers Taw and Torridge. Bikes can be hired from The Railway Station, Barnstaple, Devon. Telephone 01271 324202
The Coastline
Of course the first coastline is literally just outside your front door. Irsha Street runs along the path of the estuary of the Rivers Torr and Torridge and is right at the mouth of the estuary where the rivers meet the sea. Do take a walk (at low tide) along the coastline from the Lifeboat station at one end of Irsha Street right up to the car park at the other end, just by the children’s play ground. Lots of rock pools and slightly soft sand when the tide is out.
Golf
Royal North Devon at Westward Ho! can rightly claim to be the cradle of English Golf. Founded in 1864, it is the oldest golf course in the country and is regarded as the St Andrews of England. The golf course is as tough as any of the UK’s better-known links and is ranked at number 61 in Golf Monthly’s Top 120 Course Rankings and it also features in Golf World’s Top 100 courses in the world that every golfer "must play".
Royal North Devon or RND, as it’s often referred to, is not only a great course but it’s also a place of huge historical importance. Inside the warm, welcoming clubhouse, the golf museum, honours boards and club trophies tell the story of the game from its birth and RND’s unique place within it. Alone they are reason enough to make the trip to North Devon.
Water Skiing
You can water ski in the estuary, launch from the main car park and head up river just beyond the boat yard for excellent water sports.
Travel
A bus runs from the car park to all main local centres but a car is best for trips further afield. Grab the water taxi to Instow for lunch in high season. Distances - We're 3.5 hours from London on a good run.
For Kids
Winter or Summer Big Sheep is a firm favourite with the younger members of our extended family. From great shows which include sheep racing and Indian running ducks to the fab indoor adventure playground it’s a lovely day out and a must for the kids.
The Milky Way Adventure Theme Park is near Clovelly is another great day out for all the family. It’s an all weather attraction with a mix of rides, education and live shows with plenty to keep everyone occupied.
Mountain Boarding: Try the Southwest Mountain Board Centre near Bideford, which has colour-coded runs (like skiing) and all manner of bumps and bowls. Contact: 07866 398599;
Aerial Assault Course: For older kids and adults there is a mountain board centre and aerial assault course next door which is well worth a visit, wear trousers and trainers!
Shopping
Bideford is the closet local town and a visit to the Pannier Market at the top of the town is always an experience - lots of fresh food and delicacies alongside plants and bricabrac.
Mill Street is worth a wander and there is a great deli half way along. Cafecino’s at the end of Mill Street is a good coffee shop too.
Atlantic Village, just outside Bideford, is a large retail shopping outlet with evertything from Salt Rock to Claire’s Accessories and all at bargain prices.
Green Lanes Shopping centre in Barnstaple.