Real, curated ideas for Barnstaple — the pannier market, the Tarka Trail, indoor days out and where to eat, filtered by who's actually with you.
Barnstaple is north Devon's main town, and it is where you go when the beach is not an option. It has the region's museum, its pannier market, its trampoline park and its train station — the end of the Tarka Line from Exeter, which makes it the one place up here you can reach easily without a car.
The Pannier Market is the heart of it: a huge covered Victorian hall running Tuesday to Saturday, full of independent traders, dog friendly and wheelchair accessible. The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon next to the Long Bridge is free and genuinely well done.
The Tarka Trail starts here too — thirty-odd miles of flat, traffic-free former railway running down the estuary to Bideford and beyond. Hire a bike at the station end and it is the best value day out in the whole of north Devon.
Listings last checked: September 2026
Free museum by the Long Bridge covering the region's history, trades and wildlife, with a well-liked taxidermy section and a Victorian-style tea room. Well laid out and enough to hold primary-age children. Closed Sundays; donations welcomed.
The huge covered Victorian market hall in the centre of town — independent stalls covering crafts, plants, books, clothes and food, with a Thai food stand and seating. Dog friendly and wheelchair accessible. Tuesday to Saturday, 9 to 4; quieter midweek.
Clean, well-run trampoline park at Roundswell with sessions on the hour, free shoe lockers, free parking and a café. Book in advance for a discount. The reliable answer for older children and teenagers on a wet day.
The medieval bridge over the Taw, originally 13th century and widened three times since. Now that through traffic uses the bypass, it is a pleasant evening walk with the riverside path either side of it.
The best dinner in Barnstaple — a buzzy bar downstairs and a bright covered roof terrace upstairs that is much calmer, doing scallops, pork belly and well-made cocktails. Handles large groups without fuss. Closed Mondays and Sundays; open to 2am Friday and Saturday.
Quirky pub on Boutport Street with an exceptional gluten-free offering — coeliac reviewers travel for it, with most of the menu either gluten free or adaptable. Big portions, fair prices and a friendly room. Booking sensible at weekends.
Country pub and farm shop north of town with a good beer garden and a children's play area, open from 7.30 in the morning. Well regarded for Sunday lunch. Closed Mondays.
Comfortable all-day café bar in the centre, open nine till late, dog friendly with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and a wide menu including good vegan and vegetarian options. Disabled toilets. Drinks are on the expensive side.