Pictures of Appledore

About Appledore

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. It has a seafaring history that stretches back down the centuries for almost a thousand years. Queen Elizabeth Ist is said to have given Appledore 'free port' status in gratitude to the brave men of Appledore whose ships played an important part in the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

The town has a fine ship building tradition and when Appledore yard was opened in 1970 it was the largest of its kind in Europe. A ship building industry remains but it is the larger bulkier vessels that are built today. Interestingly though, replicas of some famous vessels have been built by the craftsmen here and these include Drake's Golden Hind and a Viking Longboat.

Many aspects of fishing have long since diminished but fishermen in Appledore still manage to garner a living from the sea. Freshly caught fish and seafood feature on menu's in almost all of Appledore's delightful inns and restaurants. The quay continues to be a busy scene of visiting yachts and colourful pleasure craft and in the summer a ferry takes passengers between Appledore and Instow on the opposite side of the Torridge. Sailing and surfing are popular sports here and in the summer a regatta is held.

This is a pleasant resort that offers visitors a lively and interesting time. It has a museum which tells much of the proud seafaring history of Appledore and apart from all the usual seaside activities there is a coastal nature reserve. Bideford is but a short drive away and Westward Ho is just along the coast with picturesque Clovelly being within easy driving distance. This is a fascinating coastline with a rich and varied history, you can take a gentle stroll around a quaint village or trek a towering cliff where you can drink deep of the majestic views that extend to Lundy Island and far, far beyond.