Appledore Without a Car

Short answer: Appledore has no station. Buses run from Bideford, which connects to Barnstaple and the Tarka Line. Once here the village is entirely on foot, and a seasonal ferry crosses to Instow. It is a village that is better without a car anyway.

Getting here

The nearest station is Barnstaple, at the end of the Tarka Line. From there, buses run to Bideford and on to Appledore.

Bus timetables in Devon thin out sharply from October and differ between summer and winter. Check the operator's current timetable before building a day around a connection, and check the last bus back before you settle in.

Better without a car

Appledore's streets are extremely narrow and parking is limited — driving in is the thing visitors regret. Arriving on foot solves the village's biggest problem.

The ferry to Instow

In season, a passenger ferry crosses the estuary to Instow, with its sandy beach and the Boathouse. Check sailing times, as they are seasonal and tide-dependent.

On foot

• The quay where two rivers meet.
• The colour-washed streets and the galleries.
• The Seagate, the Beaver Inn and the Royal George.

The Tarka Trail

Runs along the far side of the water from Instow to Bideford — flat and traffic-free, so cross on the ferry and walk.