BARNSTAPLE : TOWN CENTRE - THE "CAPITAL" OF NORTH DEVON
 

PARKING IN TOWN
If driving to Barnstaple for the evening's night-life (pubs, clubs, restaurants, theatre, cinema, etc) aim to park in the Queen Street carpark - follow signs to "Town Centre carparks" - WARNING: all town centre carparks operate pay-and-display daytime and evening.
Taxis are everywhere, with ranks in Boutport Street and Queen Street.
Regular bus services back to Ilfracombe and Bideford continue until about 11.00pm.

The clock tower in The Square		 EATING OUT
There are plenty of restaurants in town, however most of these can be heavily booked on Fridays and Saturdays, so book in advance if you can. Again the busiest area is Boutport Street, in particular at the southern end (The Square).

The clubbers' restaurants are Chambers Brasserie, The Square, tel: 01271 321045; Lilico's, The Square, tel: 01271 321045; Plantation Village, Boutport Street, tel: 01271 342449.

The genteel restaurants include The Imperial Hotel, The Square, tel: 01271 345861; The Royal & Fortescue Hotel, Boutport Street, tel: 01271 342289; The Old Custom House, The Strand, tel: 01271 370123. .

The finest cuisines can be found at Zena's, Market Street, tel: 01271 378844; Chambers Brasserie, The Square, tel: 01271 321045; 62 The Bank (brasserie), Boutport Street, tel: 01271 324446.

Saturday Dinner Dances take place in most of the town's three star hotels: The Royal & Fortescue Hotel, Boutport Street, tel: 01271 342289; The Park Hotel, Taw Vale, tel: 01271 372166; The Barnstaple Hotel. Braunton Road, tel: 01271 376221; all have quality restaurants.

There are many independent restaurants in town, mostly chef-owned, Giovanni's (Italian), Boutport Street, tel: 01271 321274; Pizza Nostra (Italian), The Strand, tel: 01271 372975; The Fullam (Chinese), Cattle Market, tel: 01271 328882; 62 The Bank (brasserie), Boutport Street, tel: 01271 324446; Jalapeno Peppers (TexMex), off Boutport Street, tel: 01271 328877; and many more.

Pick up a free copy of 'Where to eat in Barnstaple' from the Tourist Information Centre in The Square - it includes a useful map.
  AN EVENING AT THE THEATRE OR CINEMA
Both the Queen's Theatre and the Central Cinema are in Boutport Street. What's on can be found out by visiting one of North Devon's Tourist Information Centres or buying a copy of the North Devon Journal (see The View section) 75p.
A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN
Most of the town's night-life is found in The Square, Boutport Street, Queen Street (all within 400 yds of Queen Street car park).

Popular pubs include: Wetherspoons, Seamus O'Donnell's, Sherry's in Boutport Street. Chambers Brasserie and The Inn on the Square. The town has 31 pubs.

Popular clubs include: Shout in Queen Street. Euphoria in Silver Street. Rockabilly's in The Strand.

Busy nights are Thurs-Sat.
There are 11 bars/pubs/clubs in Boutport Street.
24 hour CCTV security cameras blanket the entire town centre, including car parks.

IN THE COUNTRY INNS & TAVERNS - FOR 'ATMOSPHERE' AND FOOD

THE WILLIAMS ARMS
Wrafton, Nr Braunton. Thatched tavern offering carvery meals lunchtime and evening. Children welcome 'til 9.00pm. Parking. Beside A361 five miles west of Barnstaple.

THE HUNTERS INN
Heddon Valley (NT), one of the great romantic inns of Exmoor, risen like a phoenix from the ashes of indifference, once again offering excellent dishes at a broad range of prices. Potent cider - watch out! This part of Exmoor's magnificent coastline is glorious walking country - use Hunters Inn as a lunch stop or make a circular walk ending with an evening at the Hunters'.

 

 THE ROYAL OAK
Withypool, Exmoor. One of the great "countryman's" pubs of Exmoor. Roaring fires in winter - walls bedecked with hunting trophies. Very popular for Sunday lunches. Carpark.

 

THE STAGS HEAD
Stags Head, Filleigh, 7 miles east-south-east of Barnstaple. Good food at all times - but popular for Sunday lunches, don't leave it too late.

 

 THE CHICHESTER ARMS
Bishops Tawton, 2 miles south of Barnstaple, beside A377 ("tourist route" to Exeter). Street parking behind the pub. Excellent fare at a lovely old thatched tavern.

 

THE RISING SUN
Umberleigh, 7 miles south-south-east of Barnstaple, beside A377 ("tourist route" to Exeter). Award-winning cuisine: restaurant and bar meals.

 

 HUNTERS INN
Newton Tracey, 5 miles south of Barnstaple, beside B3232 (Torrington road). Parking. Childrens room.

 

THE CRANFORD INN
Cranford Cross, 3 miles east of Great Torrington, on B3227. Country pub out in the wilds of the Devon countryside. Good for lunches, after/before a visit to RHS Rosemoor Gardens.

 

 THE DUKE OF YORK
Iddesleigh - down towards Dartymoor. Some say 'tis the finest pub in England....

IN THE COUNTRY RESTAURANTS

NORTHCOTE MANOR HOTEL
Burrington, Umberleigh. Tel: 01769 560501. C18th Country House in extensive estate (long private drive through woodland). Johansens Hotel Guide for 2002 :'Most Excellent Country House Hotel in the UK'. "With 3 AA Red Stars, RAC Gold Ribbon Award what more could you expect other than professional unobtrusive service coupled with the finest fresh local produce prepared with excellent flair and imagination." 12 miles south-east of Barnstaple, betwixt High Bickington and Burrington.
THE BROOMHILL HOTEL
Muddiford, 2 miles north of Barnstaple, entrance from B3231. Tel: 01271 850262. Good Food Award winners 2001 as voted by tourists and local people. Traditional English and Mediterranean cuisine.

BY THE SEA/ESTUARY INNS & TAVERNS - FOR 'ATMOSPHERE' AND FOOD

THE THATCH
Thatched tavern in centre of pretty Croyde village. A popular haunt of the surfing fraternity which gather hereabout.

THE HARTLAND QUAY HOTEL
One mile south of Hartland Point lighthouse, 16 miles west of Bideford. Tavern offering choice of bar meals, good for families with kids. Stunning landscape. Rock pools. Sea caves. Seals and sea birds. Include a walk along the coast path or a visit to Hartland Abbey (historic house).

BY THE SEA/ESTUARY RESTAURANTS
FREMINGTON QUAY HERITAGE CENTRE & CAFE/RESTAURANT
Fremington Quay, near Barnstaple, tel: 01271 378783. Daytime cafe and restaurant. 3 miles west of Barnstaple, beside Tarka Cycle Trail. Restaurant directly overlooks the Taw estuary, panoramic views - particularly from the lookout above the cafe/restaurant - binoculars are supplied. Excellent cuisine - spotlessly clean service - finest quality, fresh ingredients prepared and presented with panache. Access to the quay via newly-restored road from B3233, betwixt Bickington and Fremington.
THE DECKS
Marine Parade, Instow, tel: 01271 860671. Must book. 6 miles west of Barnstaple. First floor restaurant overlooking the Taw/Torridge estuary, spectacular sunsets o'er Appledore. Top quality restaurant.

THE COMMODORE HOTEL
Marine Parade, Instow, tel: 01271 860347. 6 miles west of Barnstaple. Multi-award winning restaurant specialising in using top quality, fresh local produce (seafood, meats, vegetables) when in season. Diners get the same view as The Decks (above).

CREAM TEAS AFTERNOONS
STOKE BARTON FARM
Stoke, Hartland, 15 miles west of Bideford. Summer only.
Many local people reckon that Mrs Davey's cream teas are the finest in North Devon. If you don't want scones and cream, there is a wide choice of cakes - try the carrot and orange cake!

WATERSMEET LODGE (NT)
Watersmeet, where the East River Lyn meets Hoar Oak Water, (a 2,500 acre wooded gorge, with 27 miles of footpaths, belonging to the National Trust - free entry). The lodge is just under 2 miles up the gorge from Lynmouth harbour. Alternatively, park at carpark on A39 above lodge and walk down zigzag path past waterfalls. Summer only - 'til late October.

 

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