beach
Saunton Sands
A three-mile beach backed by Braunton Burrows, the largest dune system in England and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
12 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Barnstaple
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Barnstaple
Barnstaple works well as a base: 10 minutes from Fremington, 22km from Valley of Rocks, Exmoor.
Barnstaple is in England, United Kingdom, with about 32,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Fremington, about 6 km away.
Barnstaple ( or ) is a town and civil parish in the North Devon district of Devon, England. The town lies at the River Taw's lowest crossing point before the Bristol Channel. From the 14th century, it was licensed to export wool from which it earned great wealth. Later it imported Irish wool, but its harbour siltedRead more
up and other trades developed such as shipbuilding, foundries and sawmills. A Victorian market building survives, with a high glass and timber roof on iron columns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Barnstaple?
Within an hour or so of Barnstaple: Saunton Sands (12 km), Woolacombe Beach (15 km), Valley of Rocks, Exmoor (22 km), Lynmouth (23 km).
Are there any good drives near Barnstaple?
The nearest famous roads are Countisbury Hill, A39 Atlantic Highway (Barnstaple to Bude) and Porlock Hill.
Where is Barnstaple?
Barnstaple is in England, United Kingdom, about 6 km from Fremington.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 31,616
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.0802, -4.0581
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Barnstaple
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
beach
Woolacombe Beach
Three miles of west-facing golden sand backed by dunes, consistently rated among Britain's best beaches for surfing and families.
15 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Valley of Rocks, Exmoor
A dry U-shaped valley of rock towers above the sea near Lynton, grazed by feral goats.
22 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Lynmouth
A harbour village where the East and West Lyn rivers meet the sea, rebuilt after the catastrophic flood of 1952.
23 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway
A water-powered funicular opened in 1890, climbing 152 m of 1-in-1.75 cliff between the two villages.
23 km · about 25 min drive
natural wonder
Watersmeet
A wooded gorge where Hoar Oak Water joins the East Lyn, with a National Trust tea garden in a former fishing lodge.
24 km · about 25 min drive
famous road
Countisbury Hill
A long 1-in-4 climb on the A39 out of Lynmouth onto Exmoor, with sweeping views over the Bristol Channel.
25 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Clovelly
Impossibly steep cobbled fishing village cascading down to a tiny harbour, where donkeys once carried goods and no cars are permitted.
26 km · about 30 min drive
Driving roads near Barnstaple
- 25 kmCountisbury HillA long 1-in-4 climb on the A39 out of Lynmouth onto Exmoor, with sweeping views over the Bristol Channel.
- 26 kmA39 Atlantic Highway (Barnstaple to Bude)The North Devon and Cornwall coast road with sea glimpses, steep combes and access to Clovelly and Hartland.
- 31 kmTarr StepsA 17-span prehistoric-style clapper bridge across the River Barle on Exmoor, repeatedly rebuilt after floods.
- 34 kmPorlock HillBritain's steepest A-road, where the A39 climbs out of Porlock onto Exmoor at gradients up to 1-in-4 with two severe hairpins. A scenic Victorian toll road offers a gentler coastal alternative.
- 34 kmPorlock Hill (A39)One of England's steepest A-roads at 1-in-4 with hairpins out of Porlock onto Exmoor; a toll road offers a gentler alternative.
- 34 kmDunkery BeaconThe highest point on Exmoor and in Somerset at 519 m, with views to the Brecon Beacons and Dartmoor on clear days.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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