Short answer: Use the car park at the top of the village and walk down. Appledore's streets are extremely narrow and parking in them is limited — driving into the village is how people end up reversing back out of it.
This is the whole guide, really. Appledore is a fishing village of narrow streets running down to the quay, and they are genuinely tight. Park at the top and walk down — it is a few minutes, it is downhill on the way in, and it saves the manoeuvre that catches out several visitors a week.
The quay where two rivers meet, colour-washed cottages, independent galleries and shops, and the passenger ferry across to Instow in season. It is a walking village rather than a driving one, which is why the parking arrangement works.
The Seagate is the pub on the quay, open from eight in the morning. The Beaver Inn overlooks the estuary with a specials board heavy on seafood. The Royal George on Irsha Street is the most accomplished cooking in the village. Jack Sprats on Market Street does fish landed locally.
The Crab and Apple on New Quay Street is a proper local with darts, pool and a snug.
Worth knowing about because it changes the parking question. Instow has a sandy beach, easier parking and the Boathouse pub facing the estuary — mussels rated the best in north Devon and the best sunset seat in the area. The seasonal ferry means you can visit both without moving the car.
Runs along the far side of the water, so you reach it via Instow or Bideford rather than from Appledore itself. Flat, paved and traffic-free, with cycle hire at the Bideford end.
The Big Sheep is ten minutes away past Bideford with its own parking — check the opening days, as it closes some weekdays out of season.
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