The Local Area

The area of ‘Torridge’ covers a wide spread of towns, villages and hamlets yet with a population of around 65,000 it still enjoys peace and tranquillity in many picturesque locations.

Charles Kingsley’s description of Bideford (photo on the right) as “The Little White Town, which slopes upward from its broad river tide” paints a picturesque one hundred & fifty year old image of the town that has not changed much to the present day.

In fact, if you approach the historic town from East-the-Water you can easily imagine you are being transported back to a time when life wasn't so hectic, and when Bideford was still one of the largest ports and market towns in the country.

Many of the houses are still painted white with small cobbled paths and walkways that weave their way in between the houses as they did in Charles Kingsley's day. Bideford’s ancient and iconic long bridge still stands proud, spanning the river Torridge and providing a link between the two sides of the town as it has for hundreds of years.

However, Bideford is now definitely in the 21st century with its new Torridge Bridge and recently enhanced quay area. Whilst there are excellent shopping facilities together with a variety of restaurants and lively pubs.

Westward Ho! (photo on the left) offers an incredible three-mile stretch of golden beach which holds a blue flag status and is home the famous links golf course, The Royal North Devon.

The picturesque Quayside of Appledore, with its narrow streets and charming cottages has a real sense of a fisherman’s village and is the gateway to the ocean from the River Torridge.

Both the rugged coastlines of Clovelly and Hartland provide some really breathtaking scenery and unspoilt village locations.

Numerous children’s attractions are within easy reach including The Big Sheep, Atlantis Adventure and The Milky Way. The regional centre of North Devon, Barnstaple is within 10 miles and provides a comprehensive range of shopping and leisure facilities, whilst the North Devon Link Road provides easy access to the Motorway network on the M5.