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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

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Holy Island

in the county of Northumberland

Pictures of Bideford

in the county of Devon

About Bideford

For the two hundred years between 1550 and 1750 Bideford held the reputation of being the principal port of north devon and, the home of a successful shipbuilding industry. A charter was granted by Queen Elizabeth 1 to Sir Richard Greville, who crewed his ship "Revenge" entirely with Bideford men. This vessel is famous for it's stand against the Spanish ships in the Azores.

Trade with american colonies brought wealth and prosperity to the town in the 17th and 18th centuries and many of the elegant Merchant houses, still to be seen today, date from this period. A famous landmark is the bridge spanning the River Torridge, this is of 15th century structure and is unusual that all 24 arches differ in width. Needless to say, over the centuries this bridge has been extensively renovated to enable it to take modern day heavy traffic.

To-day, Bideford is a lively resort which luckily still retains the flavour and charm of a small market town. Along the river Torridge there are quaint white houses to be seen and the lovely tree-lined quayside reveals an estuary full of smart yatchs and colourful fishing craft.

This popular town is immensely attractive and offers to visitors a wide range of seaside activities. You can take a pleasure boat trip around the many beautiful bays, laze and swim from local beaches, join a pony trek through the pretty countryside or simply amble around this pleasant town enjoying the variety of shops, inns and markets that are all there to tempt you.

Recommended towns & villages near Bideford

Appledore, North Devon

Appledore (52 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon

(2.7 miles, 4.3 km, direction N of Bideford)

Appledore is as enchanting as its name. It is a pretty place that shows a host of colourful fishermens cottages in the narrow streets beyond the quay..

Instow sunset

Instow (20 Pictures) in the county of Devon

(2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction NE of Bideford)

Instow is a gorgeous seaside resort with a mass of golden sands backed by a delightful village clambering upwards to meet with fine wooded countryside...

Surfers at sunset

Croyde (21 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon

(8.0 miles, 12.8 km, direction N of Bideford)

Croyde village has a scattering of thatched, colourwashed cottages and other delightful buildings, all sheltered by dunes which stand between the village and the bay...

Colvelly Village, Devon

Clovelly (320 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon

(8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction W of Bideford)

Clovelly is beautiful, it retains an 'Olde Worlde' charm that even along this breathtaking coastline, is simply incomparable...

St Nectan's Parish Church

Hartland (49 Pictures) in the county of Devon

(12.0 miles, 19.2 km, direction W of Bideford)

There is not a lot to beat the sound of waves crashing against the rocky promontory which was known by the Roman's as the "Promontory of Hercules"...

All towns & villages in Devon
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Nearby attractions..

The Square Garden

RHS Garden Rosemoor (35 Pictures)

(6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction SE)

..

Entrance of Watermouth Castle, Near Ilfracombe, Devon

Watermouth Castle (9 Pictures)

(14.9 miles, 24.0 km, direction NE)

Watermouth Castle occupies a commanding position overlooking Watermouth Bay in the lovely coastal resort of Ilfracombe. Here.....

Valley of rocks near Lynton, Devon

The Valley of Rocks (22 Pictures)

(21.2 miles, 34.2 km, direction NE)

..

The Barbican - Okehampton Castle

Okehampton Castle (19 Pictures)

(21.7 miles, 35.0 km, direction S)

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MS Oldenburg

Lundy Island (52 Pictures)

(22.7 miles, 36.5 km, direction NW)

Lundy means "puffin island" in Norse. It is a place of rare enchantment and great natural beauty, a precious island populated.....

Watersmeet near Lynmouth, North Devon

Watersmeet (36 Pictures)

(23.1 miles, 37.2 km, direction NE)

This is a delightful fishing lodge from 1823 located at the picturesque spot in the East Lyn Valley where the waters of the River.....


All attractions in Bideford
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