The Victorian novelist Charles Kingsley described Bideford as "The little white town which slopes upward from its broad river tide". Kinsley spent time here writing his famous novel Westward Ho!

Bideford was Britain's third largest port in the 16th Century. Today, the narrow town centre streets lead down to the tree lined quay which bustles with fishing vessels, cargo and pleasure boats.

Take a boat to Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel or try your hand at fishing. The impressive 24 arch stone bridge built in 1535 leads to the coastal path cycle way and to the disused railway line, which is today part of the Tarka Trail. The town itself has a thriving shopping centre, markets, friendly cafes and pubs.

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