Not to be confused with Barnstable, a city in Massachusetts, United States of America.

Barnstaple is a town of 32,000 people (2018) in North Devon, England.

Understand

Barnstaple used to be a port and is at the lowest crossing point of the River Taw.

• 1 Barnstaple Tourist Information Centre, The Square, EX32 8LN, ☏ +44 1271 346747. 10AM-5PM in summer and 10AM-4PM in winter. (updated Jun 2020)

Get in

Barnstaple is on A39 between Bideford and Lynton, A361 between Tiverton and Ilfracombe, and A377 from Exeter.

Trains run hourly from Exeter Central, taking 70 min via Exeter St David's, Crediton, Yeoford, Copplestone, Morchard Road, Eggesford and Umberleigh.

1 Barnstaple railway station is south across the bridge from town centre. There's a staffed ticket office, machines, toilets, and step-free access to platforms. Nearby supermarkets have stuff to eat.

See

• 1 Barnstaple Castle. (updated Jun 2020)
• 2 Barnstaple Library, Tuly Street, EX31 1EL, ☏ +44 1271 318780. M Tu Th F 9AM-6PM, W 10AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-5PM. (updated Jun 2020)
• 3 Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon, The Square, EX32 8LN, ☏ +44 1271 346747, museum@northdevon.gov.uk. Mar-Oct: M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Oct-Mar: M-Sa 10AM-4PM. free. (updated Jun 2020)
• 4 Queens Theatre, 100 Boutport Street, EX31 1SY, ☏ +44 1271 316523. (updated Jun 2020)
• 5 Scott Cinemas, 77 Boutport Street, EX31 1SR, ☏ +44 1271 370022. (updated Jun 2020)

Do

• 1 Lets Go, Braunton Road, EX31 1LG, letsgobarnstaple@hotmail.com. +44 1271 321123. (updated Jun 2020)
• 2 North Devon Leisure Centre, Seven Brethren Bank, Sticklepath, EX31 2AP, ☏ +44 1271 373361. M-F 6:30AM-10PM, Sa Su 8AM-varied. (updated Jun 2020)
• 3 Pilton Park. (updated Jun 2020)
• 4 Tarka Tennis Centre, 7 Seven Brethren Bank, Sticklepath, EX31 2AP, ☏ +44 1271 377701. (updated Jun 2020)

Buy

• 1 Green Lanes Shopping Centre, High Street, EX31 1UL, ☏ +4401271 322278, info@greenlanes.co.uk. (updated Jun 2020)
• 2 St John's Garden Centre (Jungleland), St John's Lane, EX32 9DD, ☏ +44 1271 343884. M-Sa 9:AM-5:30PM, Su 10:30AM-4:30PM. (updated Jun 2020)
• 3 Pannier Market (next the Guildhall). Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. A large indoor market, opened in the 19th century. (updated Apr 2021)

Drink

• 1 The Panniers, 33-34 Boutport St, EX31 1RX, ☏ +44 1271 329 720. JD Wetherspoon (updated Jan 2022)
• 2 Stag's Head, 28 Bear St, EX32 7BX, ☏ +44 1271 343 327. 10AM-11PM. (updated Jan 2022)
• 3 The Watering Hole, 14 Castle St, EX31 1DR, ☏ +44 1271 375 964. (updated Jan 2022)
• 4 Wrey Arms Inn, Bickington Rd, EX31 2BX, ☏ +44 1271 859 360. (updated Jan 2022)

Sleep

• 1 Barnstaple Hotel, Braunton Road, EX31 1LE, ☏ +44 1271 376221, reservations@barnstaplehotel.co.uk. (updated Jun 2020)
• 2 Broomhill Art Hotel, Muddiford Rd, Barnstaple EX31 4EX (off B3230 four miles north of town), ☏ +44 1271 850262. Remarkable colourful hotel with six rooms in a Victorian country house, set in sculpture garden. Great Med cuisine at Terra Madre restaurant. B&B double £100. (updated Aug 2020)
• 3 South Town Farm, Loxhore EX31 4SS (10 miles northeast of town), ☏ +44 7789 124667. Off-grid eco-campsite open May-Sep, ten pitches, no cars. The farm is on National Trust land. Two-person tent £20. (updated May 2022)

Connect

As of May 2022, Barnstaple has 4G from all UK carriers, but coverage of the approach highways is variable. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

• Ilfracombe is 12.4 miles north via B3230.
• Bideford is 10 miles west via A39, with Westward Ho! a mile beyond it.
• Woolacombe is 14 miles north west.
• Exmoor lies to the east.

Routes through Barnstaple

Bideford ←

SW  NE

→ Lynton