Worth a visit is Butchers Row built in 1855. It has pilasters of Bath Stone, and wrought iron supports to an overhanging roof. Another place to visit is the Pannier Market built in 1855-6. According to the ‘The Independent’ the Pannier Market is voted one of the top ten food markets in Britain.
Barnstaple Fair is held on the Wednesday before 20th September each year; the ceremonial opening of the fair survives from ancient times. The Town Council meets in the Guildhall, where various toasts are honoured with spiced ale which, according to tradition, is made from a jealously guarded recipe handed on from generation to generation. Whilst the toasts are being honoured, “fairings”, (a form of sweetmeat) are handed around. On the reading of the Proclamation a large stuffed gloved hand garlanded with flowers is hung from a window of the Guildhall. The gloved hand represents the hand of friendship and the hand of welcome to the thousands that come to the fair. At 12 o’clock, a civic procession forms at the entrance to the Guildhall and the proclamation is read.
For those who love cycling or walking a section of
The
Tarka Trail runs from Barnstaple, down the Taw, then upriver to Bideford and on through Torridge country to Torrington.
Fremington Quay was once important in the import and export of many goods. It had railway sidings, cranes, etc., for the export of ball clay and ‘import’ of coal. Between the early to mid-twentieth century it was the busiest port between Bristol and Lands End. The quay now has been redeveloped with a restaurant and facilities to enjoy wide views over the Taw estuary. It is now a Conservation Area having been designated such in 1996.
Swimbridge is a pretty little village close to Barnstaple. With an active community spirit there is often things going on that are arranged by the locals for all to enjoy. This is the home of the original Jack Russell with an inn of the same name.
Burrington is roughly 540 ft above sea level and situated about a mile to the west of the beautiful Taw valley – In “Tarka Country” it is a quiet village with a small shop, a primary school, and a thatched pub - The Barnstaple Inn. For those who love the outdoors this is the place to be, to the north is Exmoor, and to the south is Dartmoor. There is an oak tree in the village square said to be about 500 years old, recent major surgery has given the tree a new lease of life.
East Buckland is a tiny village, on a hill and commanding a view down towards Charles Bottom, with Exmoor and the ‘Bamfylde Clump’ in the distance. This famous copse gave its name to West Buckland School in ‘To Serve Them All My Days’ – the novel written by R F Delderfield about
99
the School and the First World War, in memory of his time here as a student.
West Buckland is a small village located eight miles east- south-east of Barnstaple. The village may be best known for having given its name to the adjacent co-educational independent West Buckland School with British world record triple-jumper Jonathan Edwards as a former pupil.
Cobbaton is a small village and its only claim to fame is the Combat Collection housed there and well worth a visit. However it does have a few beautiful thatched cottages and it is in a beautiful area. The combat collection is described as a hobby that went a bit over the top and is growing all the time. For anyone with an interest in our past I feel the collection is one not to be missed.
North Molton, the gold village, is a large parish straddling the
National Park
boundary on its southern side. Its main settlement lies outside of the boundary but a large part of the parish is within the boundary, including the hamlet of Heasley Mill and groups of farms at North and South Radworthy, Bentwitchen and Yarde. It is a thriving village with pubs, post office and shop. Historically interesting as well as visually attractive,
it is a village well worth a detour on route to anywhere in north Devon.
Bratton Fleming is as a lively village. There are often local events held in and around the area and you are invited to join in during your stay. It is surrounded by beautiful countryside and outstanding views. Detailed leaflets are available at the village store showing
circular walks, along with a freshly made lunch so you can set off on a picnic or let the children enjoy the play equipment on the village green whilst you relax. The White Hart Inn offers a range of local beers and home cooked meals.
Bishop’s Nypmton was an estate of the bishops of Exeter. The church (St. Mary) is entirely 15th or early 16th century, with a fine, well-proportioned tower, and is well worth a visit. There are some remains of the old houses at Grilstone. Rawstone, Garliford and Hall are other farmhouses which were once the mansions of medieval freeholders and show some evidence of this origin. Whitechapel Barton was called Blaunchechapele in 1281 and Whitechapel in 1333, possibly from the colour of its stonework. The present house, which belonged to the Bassets for centuries, is an attractive building of 16th century date, with some early 18th century alterations.
South Molton is ideally situated as a base to explore the beautiful countryside of North Devon and Mid Devon, Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks. There is much to do in and around the town for visitors of all ages. There is a honey farm where you can watch the bees working behind glass, a chocolate factory where you can indulge yourself
©
O x
f o r
d i a
n K
i s s
u t h
2 0
1 0
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116