Food Scene
In this section you will find places to eat and food shops
They sell prize-winning pasties including Big Bertha which would feed a family of 6! Opens 7am till 2pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
www.devonpasty.com
Blackwell's Pasties Ltd
7-9 Meddon StThey sell prize-winning pasties including Big Bertha which would feed a family of 6! Opens 7am till 2pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
www.devonpasty.com
Local bakery selling lovely bread, cakes and quiche. Gluten-free products available.
Country Cottage Bakery
22 Mill StLocal bakery selling lovely bread, cakes and quiche. Gluten-free products available.
Country Cousins
3 Westbourne TerraceReally good Sunday carvery. Near the slipway in Westward Ho!
Situated on the quay at Appledore and featured in the national press. Lovely fresh crab sandwiches.
45 locals recommend
The Coffee Cabin
22 The QuaySituated on the quay at Appledore and featured in the national press. Lovely fresh crab sandwiches.
Friendly and obliging local butcher. A good place to buy free-range chicken, homemade sausages and Frank Heard's hogs pudding (a local favourite).
Mill Street Butchers
6 Mill StFriendly and obliging local butcher. A good place to buy free-range chicken, homemade sausages and Frank Heard's hogs pudding (a local favourite).
Gourmet restaurant with excellent reviews now moved to the Riverbank across the river. It tends to be booked up weeks or even months in advance.
19 locals recommend
Number Eight
49 Allhalland StGourmet restaurant with excellent reviews now moved to the Riverbank across the river. It tends to be booked up weeks or even months in advance.
Chinese Restaurant -eat in or have your food delivered. Well-established family business.
Paramount Chinese
22 Bridgeland StChinese Restaurant -eat in or have your food delivered. Well-established family business.
First In Last Out
27-28 Clovelly RdVery friendly. Run by local couple. Great Sunday Roast.
Prince Of India
19 Bridgeland StGreat food - deliveries available.
Totally organic produce, some of it grown on-site. They deliver to Bideford on Fridays - order in advance (see website).
6 locals recommend
Marshford Organic Foods
Churchill WayTotally organic produce, some of it grown on-site. They deliver to Bideford on Fridays - order in advance (see website).
Simply the best! Find them at the entrance to Victoria Park in Bideford, on the quay in Appledore and at several locations in Westward Ho!
20 locals recommend
Hockings Dairy Cream Ices
Kingsley AvenueSimply the best! Find them at the entrance to Victoria Park in Bideford, on the quay in Appledore and at several locations in Westward Ho!
I haven't tried this restaurant yet but the menu looks delicious! Serves local fish.
https://www.lepetitmonde-bideford.com/
Le Petit Monde
4 Cooper StI haven't tried this restaurant yet but the menu looks delicious! Serves local fish.
https://www.lepetitmonde-bideford.com/
Good food, large beer garden and plenty of parking - located in the nearby village of Littleham.
6 locals recommend
The Crealock Arms
Good food, large beer garden and plenty of parking - located in the nearby village of Littleham.
Another village pub serving good food. Plenty of dining space indoors and out although the bar itself is snug.
65 locals recommend
The Thatched Inn
Hillsborough RoadAnother village pub serving good food. Plenty of dining space indoors and out although the bar itself is snug.
Lovely pub serving good food and real ale. Beer garden with views of estuary. Car park (drive carefully in village). Great for Sunday roast.
19 locals recommend
Westleigh Inn
Lovely pub serving good food and real ale. Beer garden with views of estuary. Car park (drive carefully in village). Great for Sunday roast.
Fresh fish mostly from local boats - buy it directly from the Fish Counter at Appledore Fish Dock.
The Devon and Cornwall Fish Company LTD
Hubbastone RoadFresh fish mostly from local boats - buy it directly from the Fish Counter at Appledore Fish Dock.
The proprietor of this restaurant/cafe previously owned Velvet and Vanilla in Cooper Street. This new venture is just around the corner in Mill Street.
The Mill Street Brasserie
49 Mill StreetThe proprietor of this restaurant/cafe previously owned Velvet and Vanilla in Cooper Street. This new venture is just around the corner in Mill Street.
Great coffee and cake. All-day breakfasts and seafood lunches amongst the choices on the menu.
A Slice Of Life Café
6A Westbourne TerraceGreat coffee and cake. All-day breakfasts and seafood lunches amongst the choices on the menu.
Fat Boy Fudge
Very indulgent treats. Located in butchers' row.
Belluno used to be just around the corner from Baker's Cottage but this popular Italian Restaurant has now moved to the old Barclays Bank premises at the bottom of High Street. Serving Pizza, Pasta and Risotto of course but also more adventurous dishes: I recommend their fish dishes. Booking advised but not always necessary.
15 locals recommend
Belluno Bideford
84 Silver StBelluno used to be just around the corner from Baker's Cottage but this popular Italian Restaurant has now moved to the old Barclays Bank premises at the bottom of High Street. Serving Pizza, Pasta and Risotto of course but also more adventurous dishes: I recommend their fish dishes. Booking advised but not always necessary.
Arts & Culture
Exhibition programme; gift shop; tourist information centre; small museum upstairs and cafe.
55 locals recommend
The Burton Art Gallery and Museum
Kingsley RoadExhibition programme; gift shop; tourist information centre; small museum upstairs and cafe.
Very interesting collection relating to the maritime history of the area; located in nearby Appledore.
14 locals recommend
North Devon Maritime Museum
5 Odun RdVery interesting collection relating to the maritime history of the area; located in nearby Appledore.
The Cabin at Bucks Mills is run by the National Trust who now use it as a space for artists' residencies. It was the summer holiday home and studio of the artists Judith Ackland and Mary Stella Edwards. There is a free car park at Bucks Mills and a pleasant walk down to the sea.
25 locals recommend
Buck's Mills
The Cabin at Bucks Mills is run by the National Trust who now use it as a space for artists' residencies. It was the summer holiday home and studio of the artists Judith Ackland and Mary Stella Edwards. There is a free car park at Bucks Mills and a pleasant walk down to the sea.
The Plough Arts Centre
9-11 Fore StTheatre, Art Gallery and cafe.
Hartland Abbey
Located in Exeter. Stay away if you're claustrophobic - really interesting for everyone else.
65 locals recommend
Underground Passages
2 Paris StLocated in Exeter. Stay away if you're claustrophobic - really interesting for everyone else.
Unexpectedly large museum with all the exhibits you would expect including local artifacts. Cafe. Located in Exeter.
122 locals recommend
Royal Albert Memorial Museum
Queen StreetUnexpectedly large museum with all the exhibits you would expect including local artifacts. Cafe. Located in Exeter.
The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
The SquareWell worth a visit.
Wonderful and often amusing woodcarvings by local artist John Butler. See his work on the Tarka Trail too.
John Butler Woodcarver
Wonderful and often amusing woodcarvings by local artist John Butler. See his work on the Tarka Trail too.
Parks & Nature
Pretty park with childrens play areas and paddling pool (summer only). If you purchased a weekly Tourist Parking Permit you can use it in the adjacent car park and let the children wear themselves out while you have coffee and cake in Cafe du Parc which is part of Burton Art Gallery. Home of Victoria Bowling Club and right by the Rugby Club. Visit Mr Hocking's van at the park entrance for delicious, locally-made, dairy ice-cream.
16 locals recommend
Victoria Park
39 Kingsley RdPretty park with childrens play areas and paddling pool (summer only). If you purchased a weekly Tourist Parking Permit you can use it in the adjacent car park and let the children wear themselves out while you have coffee and cake in Cafe du Parc which is part of Burton Art Gallery. Home of Victoria Bowling Club and right by the Rugby Club. Visit Mr Hocking's van at the park entrance for delicious, locally-made, dairy ice-cream.
Near the beach in Westward Ho! and home of the ancient Royal North Devon Golf Club. Common land used by local people for their horses and sheep which roam freely, but now a designated country park and protected salt marsh.
58 locals recommend
Northam Burrows Country Park
Sandymere RoadNear the beach in Westward Ho! and home of the ancient Royal North Devon Golf Club. Common land used by local people for their horses and sheep which roam freely, but now a designated country park and protected salt marsh.
Travel to Lundy from Bideford or Ilfracombe on the Oldenburg. If you're lucky you may see dolphins on the way and Puffins on the cliffs near the lighthouse on the island. Cared for by the Landmark Trust. Book at Lundy Office on the Quay.
72 locals recommend
Lundy
Travel to Lundy from Bideford or Ilfracombe on the Oldenburg. If you're lucky you may see dolphins on the way and Puffins on the cliffs near the lighthouse on the island. Cared for by the Landmark Trust. Book at Lundy Office on the Quay.
Hartland Quay
Wild bit of coastline with parking and pub. Great for cliff walks.
Hartland Point Lighthouse
A wonderful trail on the route of the old railway line. Walk or cycle from Braunton to Meeth. Part of the trail follows the South West Coast Path.
63 locals recommend
Tarka Trail
A wonderful trail on the route of the old railway line. Walk or cycle from Braunton to Meeth. Part of the trail follows the South West Coast Path.
Lovely grounds to explore with a lake and monument with wonderful views. The owner, Hector Christie, is very keen on Permaculture and there is a garden based on this technique to walk around. Events are sometimes held here.
14 locals recommend
Tapely Park
Lovely grounds to explore with a lake and monument with wonderful views. The owner, Hector Christie, is very keen on Permaculture and there is a garden based on this technique to walk around. Events are sometimes held here.
RHS members free. Restaurant, cafe, garden centre and beautiful gardens to walk around including orchards and vegetable patches. Just outside Torrington, 7 miles from Bideford.
193 locals recommend
RHS Garden Rosemoor
RHS members free. Restaurant, cafe, garden centre and beautiful gardens to walk around including orchards and vegetable patches. Just outside Torrington, 7 miles from Bideford.
Shopping
Market days are Tuesdays and Saturdays but both butchers' row and the cafe in the main hall are open Tuesday to Saturday (NB: Tuesday markets are currently not operating and the Saturday markets tend to special events - information correct as at November 2023). There are craft shops in butcher's row as well as an old-fashioned sweet shop.
19 locals recommend
Bideford Pannier Market
Market PlaceMarket days are Tuesdays and Saturdays but both butchers' row and the cafe in the main hall are open Tuesday to Saturday (NB: Tuesday markets are currently not operating and the Saturday markets tend to special events - information correct as at November 2023). There are craft shops in butcher's row as well as an old-fashioned sweet shop.
Bookstore run by local family. Good selection of books on the local area, including walking guides.
Walter Henry's Bookshop
12 High StBookstore run by local family. Good selection of books on the local area, including walking guides.
Fancy Something Sweet
60 Mill StHomemade chocolate and special sweets.
Factory outlet (previously called Atlantic Village). New shops added all the time.
55 locals recommend
Affinity Devon Outlet Shopping
24 Clovelly RdFactory outlet (previously called Atlantic Village). New shops added all the time.
Minxy's Sweets
Old-fashioned sweet shop in butchers row at the pannier market.
Entertainment & Activities
Ideas for things to do. Check individual websites or facebook pages for opening times during the Covid-19 epidemic. Some establishments may be closed.
North Devon Wake Park
The Big Sheep.
Abbotsham RoadGreat for families; short drive away.
Fun for children and interesting for adults; well worth a visit.
148 locals recommend
The Milky Way Adventure Park
Fun for children and interesting for adults; well worth a visit.
Kayaking in the river, surfing and other water sports. Book in advance.
22 locals recommend
Skern Lodge Outdoor Activity Centre
Kayaking in the river, surfing and other water sports. Book in advance.
Battle for Valandor and escape! Outdoor escape game also available. Great fun! Cafe on-site. Booking essential for games.
Escape Down The Rabbit Hole
1 market streetBattle for Valandor and escape! Outdoor escape game also available. Great fun! Cafe on-site. Booking essential for games.
A large sea pool just over the border in Cornwall. Well worth a visit (check the tide times first).
81 locals recommend
Bude Sea Pool
A large sea pool just over the border in Cornwall. Well worth a visit (check the tide times first).
Now owned by Skern Lodge and called Tidal & Trail, they hire bikes and also do kayak trips. Right on the Tarka Trail so ideal for cycling towards Meeth or Braunton.
10 locals recommend
Bideford Bicycle Hire
Torrington StreetNow owned by Skern Lodge and called Tidal & Trail, they hire bikes and also do kayak trips. Right on the Tarka Trail so ideal for cycling towards Meeth or Braunton.
Sightseeing
Learn about the history of Bideford Bridge in the Burton Art Gallery museum then see the real thing. Just down the road from Baker's Cottage.
Bideford Long Bridge
Learn about the history of Bideford Bridge in the Burton Art Gallery museum then see the real thing. Just down the road from Baker's Cottage.
This is the closest car park to Baker's Cottage but is worth a visit just for the magnificent view of the river and the high-rise Torridge Bridge which carries the A39 to Cornwall.
Honestone Street Long Stay Car Park
Providence RowThis is the closest car park to Baker's Cottage but is worth a visit just for the magnificent view of the river and the high-rise Torridge Bridge which carries the A39 to Cornwall.
Drinks & Nightlife
More of a venue than a nightclub; small and cosy, in the town centre and with a busy programme of live music.
The Palladium Club
43 Lower GunstoneMore of a venue than a nightclub; small and cosy, in the town centre and with a busy programme of live music.
Local pub with live music at times; home of the local Folk Club (current photo is of market, not pub)
Joiners Arms
6 Market PlLocal pub with live music at times; home of the local Folk Club (current photo is of market, not pub)
The Rose Salterne
9-10 Bridgeland StLarge bar - very popular
Crabby Dicks Lounge & Bar
2 Cooper StreetLocally-owned bar very popular for watching the football.