Tiverton & Barnstaple

Tiverton & Barnstaple - Day Tour

Tiverton

Settled in the Mid Devon countryside, the town of Tiverton is brimming with history and heritage just waiting to be discovered; with romantic castles, historic houses, and horse drawn barges.

The name was originally Twyfyrde, meaning town of two fords, and Tiverton stands on two rivers – the Lowman and the Exe.

It was thought to have been a Saxon settlement founded in the 7th century.

Tiverton offers a rich blend of shopping, heritage, culture and scenic outdoor experiences. The town centre features four distinct retail quarters, each with something unique to enjoy:

• Riverside Quarter

   – independent shops, wellbeing outlets, craft stores, bakeries and eateries, plus a scenic walk beside the River Exe.

• Gateway Quarter

   – Tiverton’s busiest retail area with department stores, clothing shops, banks, pharmacies, and a mix of independent traders.

• Independent Quarter

   – boutique shopping at its finest, with art, pottery, books, fashion, photography specialists, cafés and lifestyle stores.

• Market Quarter

   – home to the historic Tiverton Pannier Market, offering weekly general markets, monthly farmers’ markets, and a vibrant mix of independent stalls and shops.

Barnstaple

As the social centre of North Devon, Barnstaple always has lots to do; browsing the appealing mix of  big brand shops and traditional family businesses  along the High Street.

It is one of the UK’s oldest boroughs as well as being one of the largest towns in North Devon.

Home to a number of the well-known historic market.

It’s no surprise that it is one of the region’s premier towns. As can be expected of somewhere with a rich history, there are plenty of things to see and do to learn more about the town’s heritage.

One of the most famous heritage attractions in Barnstaple is the historic Pannier Market which plays host to a range of events – from regular markets to showcases of delicious local produce and incredible street food. The Pannier Market has been the host of markets for over 1,000 years and has been standing since the 1800s. While these days the markets are more varied, you can still find a regular famers’ market here as well as a wide variety of other events where you can find everything from clothes, art and other locally produced items. The Pannier Market is flanked by Butcher’s Row, a terrace of ten shops under an iron roof, which as the name suggests, historically was the location of a number of butchers. These days, there are instead a host of interesting independent stores which cements Barnstaple’s draw as a haven for shoppers.

Barnstaple is a town that offers a little bit of everything, but with a real family friendly focus, there are several family friendly attractions, eateries and other places of interest that are suitable for all ages.