Short answer: Appledore is a morning or an afternoon rather than a full day: a quay where the Taw and Torridge meet, narrow colour-washed streets, galleries and four good pubs. Park at the top and walk down.
A working fishing village where the Taw and the Torridge meet the sea, with narrow pastel streets running down to a quay. There is no big attraction here — the village is the attraction, and it is a genuinely lovely couple of hours.
The single most useful thing to know. The streets are extremely narrow and parking in them is limited. Use the car park at the top of the village and walk down; it is a few minutes and downhill on the way in.
For a village this size the food is unusually good. The Royal George on Irsha Street is the most accomplished cooking here, right by the shore. Jack Sprats on Market Street does fish landed locally. The Seagate on the quay opens at eight in the morning and its Sunday roast for two arrives on a board that defeats most people.
The Beaver Inn overlooks the estuary with a specials board heavy on seafood and a genuinely good vegan roast. The Crab and Apple on New Quay Street is a proper local with darts and a snug.
Instow has a sandy beach and the Boathouse, which is the best-loved pub in the area — mussels rated the best in north Devon and the best sunset seat around.
Half a day for Appledore itself. Combine it with Instow and it makes a full one. The Big Sheep is ten minutes away past Bideford if you need a bigger attraction for children.
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