Barnstaple to Bideford

Barnstaple to Bideford - Sunday 3rd April 2011

Path Facts - Length: Approx 10 miles, Ascent: 100 feet (est)

8.30am breakfast then packed the overflow bags in the car. Crossways had kindly let us park at the B&B for a few days as we were staying both Thurs and Sat nights. Started walking about 9.30am through Barnstaple town across to the river.

Showers were promised for today which was necessary to ‘stress test’ Andy’s new lightweight goretex which had only been field tested in the dry before this.

The route heads out over Long Bridge in Barnstaple then goes through what I expect will be a contender for one of the least scenic stretches of path but still had repeater signs in the form of acorn stickers on lampposts. We still managed to miss a huge blue sign with Bideford written on it whilst engaged in conversation and doubled back slightly after some embarrassingly obvious directions from a patient local.





The path was similar to the latter half of yesterday. It is basically cycle track that follows an old railway track staying close to The Taw river. Expectations had to be managed as it was clearly not as spectacular as the cliff paths but was nonetheless a perfectly ok Sunday walk.

We stopped at the café at the old Fremington Quay. This is a nice café and worth a stop. There were lots of old photos of the days of much busier life on the river, railway and village. The only shower of the day hit us on leaving the café but it only lasted for 10 minutes. The rest of the day was mostly bright.







The next stop on route was lunch at Instow which is on the East side of the Torridge river. There was a shop with a deli that did some rather good baguettes. So we sat on a bench by the quay with views across to Appledore and down the Torridge to the road bridge on the North side of Bideford.





There are also views right back to Saunton Sands and out towards Croyde from a couple of days ago.



On arriving at said road bridge there was a discussion about the construction and architectural awesomeness which is difficult to convey here for the layman. So here is M.C Tebbutt conveying the awesomeness through the medium of hip-hop-mime.





Hope that’s clear.

The route carries on south down the Torridge with more views across to Bideford and wildlife (be in awe of the zoom!)





Stopped in East-the-Water just before crossing The Torridge into Bideford. There is an old railway carriage which has been set up as a café. It was now quite warm day when out of the wind so time for an ice cream.





Arrived at Tantons Hotel about 3pm for check in. The hotel is really well situated right on the river but the cheapness and earlier conversation with the lady in the railway carriage café led to some trepidation about the quality of the lodgings. Despite this, the building site right outside and the fact that we were probably 30 years younger than the rest of the guests, it turned out to be fine. It’s definitely not 5 stars but a bath and bed is welcome when you’ve been walking a few days.

Had a short wander around the town but pretty much everything was closed being a Sunday. But Bideford has some interesting back streets with antique shops, old bookshops and the like.

Went out for the evening just before 7pm and watched a huge Russian ship full of aggregate turning in the river. Went on to eat at “the Spice” Indian restaurant which is on the first floor and overlooks the river. Then on to the White Hart Inn for a quick sample of the local brew and local punch up culminating in the arrival of the police. An establishment of ‘character’!

On returning to the hotel the local crooner was singing for the old ladies in the bar. I’m afraid we passed up on the late night partying.

Info:

Accommodation – Tantons Hotel

Location ***** Right next to path, river, town
Room *** Large twin room.
Facilities **** a bath which is relatively unusual
Noise ** not too bad in the evening but woken up early with traffic
Food ** £4 extra for a light breakfast (coffee, toast, cereal)
Ambience ** actually an experience!
Price ***** £40 for the room!

http://www.tantonshotel.co.uk

Food – “The Spice” Indian Restaurant


Quality *** ok Indian food, lots of it
Price *** avg

Beer – White Hart Inn

Grenville’s Reserve ***

The Walker’s Strategy Section

Signposts indicating distance to Bideford suggested about 9 to 9.5 miles which agrees with the National Trail Guide book (R Tarr). I’ve decided on about 10 miles as the distance today based on the extra distance from the B&B to the start point at Long Bridge. The SWCPA gives 19 miles from Barnstaple to Westward Ho! which sounds like a lot compared to what we estimated we walked. NTG gives about 17.5.