Bideford, Devon
Bideford is quite a bustling historic harbour town on the Torridge in North Devon, where cargo ships still load and unload on the quay, just as they have done for centuries. The general vibe is upbeat and lively, with a wide main streets and smaller alleyways, known as drangs, lined with mostly independent shops. Twice a week there’s an eclectic Pannier Market where local traders set up their stalls to sell all manner of local produce, artworks and antiques. There’s not a great deal to do in the town but it’s nice to have a wander round; amble along the waterfront and over the 15th century bridge, with its 24 arches, over the river. There are regular boat trips out to Lundy Island from Bideford and nearby are the beaches of Westward Ho! and Instow, and the Milky Way Adventure Park.
If you fancy a bite to eat whilst you’re here, they say Café Collective and Belluno are good. If shopping is more your thing head for the Affinity Devon retail outlet where you can bag some big name bargains.
Claim to fame: Charles Kingsley, author of The Water Babies grew up at Clovelly just a few miles away; he mentioned Bideford in his writings as ‘the little white town’.
All information correct at the time of writing