Page 44 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

42 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

VISITING BIDEFORD
Parking
Park in the Victoria Park car park next
to the Tourist Information Centre.
Tourist Information
Burton Art Gallery, Kingsley Road,
EX39 2QQ; 01237 471 455; www.
northdevon.com
Bideford Cycle, Surf and Kayak Hire
Torrington Street, EX39 4DR; 01237 424
123; www.bidefordbicyclehire.co.uk
Boat Trips to Lundy Island
Up to five 2-hour sailings a week from
April to October. Bideford Quay, 01271
863 636; www.lundyisland.co.uk Above left A sign advertises traditional pasties
1 Bideford Above right Bideford’s Pannier Market hall
WHERE TO STAY Devon; EX39 2QQ
Described 150 years ago by local baskets in which farmers’ wives used
BIDEFORD writer Charles Kingsley as “the little to bring produce for sale. Burton Art
Orchard Hill moderate white town which slopes upward Gallery (open daily) in Victoria Park on
A smart yet friendly hotel on the from its broad river tide”, Bideford is the riverside has sections on the
hillside, with a south-facing veranda. still much the same, busy with town’s history. It’s possible to hire a
Orchard Hill, EX39 2QY; 01237 472 872; fishing vessels, pleasure craft and the bike nearby and cycle along the
www.bidefordhotel.com MS Oldenburg, which ferries visitors Tarka Trail to Great Torrington.
Yeoldon House moderate to the National Trust’s Lundy Island ª From the Victoria Park car park, turn
A former Victorian residence, this bird sanctuary, 17 km (11 miles) right on to Kingsley Road (B3235) and
riverside hotel has a a fine restaurant.
Durrant Lane, EX39 2RL; 01237 474 away. The promenade beside the cross A39 on to A386, signposted to
400; www.yeoldonhousehotel.co.uk Taw Estuary has been set off since Appledore. Park in car park on quay.
the 13th century by the 24-arch
HARTLAND PENINSULA Long Bridge, originally built from 2 Appledore
Hartland Quay Hotel moderate wood but encased in stone since Devon; EX39 1QS
This remote hotel is dramatically sited 1535. Narrow old streets crowded Along tiny streets and alleyways,
under the cliffs by the sea.
Hartland, EX39 6DU; 01237 441 218; with small shops and pubs lead up colour-washed Georgian cottages
www.hartlandquayhotel.com; closed from the water to the Victorian with bow windows line the Taw and
20 Dec–2 Jan Pannier Market hall, named for the Torridge estuaries; no wonder
Appledore has become a favourite
with local artists – several galleries
show their work. Fishing and ship-
building were the town’s life blood
for centuries, as explained in the
small North Devon Maritime Museum
in Odun Road (open Apr–Oct: daily).
Fishing trips are available from
the quay.
ª Follow signs to Westward Ho!
3 Westward Ho!
Devon; EX39 1QS
The neighbouring seaside resort,
named after Charles Kingsley’s novel of
Elizabethan seafarers, is notable mainly
for having England’s oldest golf links, a
long sandy beach and a pebble ridge.
ª Take B3236 and A39 to Bideford, take
A386 to Great Torrington, follow signs to
Dartington Crystal. Park in the car park.
Far left Fishing boats moored at the quay at
Appledore Above left Wall sculptures created by
one of Appledore’s artists Below left A statue
of local author Charles Kingsley in Bideford
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £80; moderate, £80–£150; expensive, over £150

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