North Devon

BARNSTAPLE

One of Britain's oldest towns, Barnstaple was minting its own coins as early as the 10th century.



It lies in the Taw Valley and boasts a 16th century, 16-arch bridge spanning the river as well as some significant old buildings.



A local museum is housed in a former grammar school dated to the 14th century.



Arlington Court is a Regency house, now run by the National Trust, set in a large estate.

 
Arlington Court -
Photo: Neil Kennedy

Taw Bridge Barnstaple - Photo: Maurice Clements

Inhabited until 1949 by the much-travelled spinster Rosalie Chichester, it is packed with artefacts such as model ships, tapestries, pewter and shells.



The stables contain one of the finest collections of 19th-century horse-drawn vehicles.



Devon’s largest colony of lesser horseshoe bats can be watched via a batcam. Nearby is Exmoor Zoological Park.