TARKA TRAIL CYCLE HIRE

The Railway Station,

Barnstaple, Devon. 

Telephone 01271 324202

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PLEASE REMEMBER WALKERS HAVE RIGHT OF WAY

ROUTE A

Cycle from Barnstaple along the shores of the estuary of the rivers Taw and Torridge past Fremington Pill, once the port for unloading ball clay, where you can see a lime kiln and if you are lucky, a rare Kingfisher. Onto Isley Marsh now an RSPB reserve and pass the former power station at Yelland.

At Instow with its sandy beach, time to have some refreshments and a swim. Depending on the tides, it is possible to visit the quaint resort of Appledore by ferry from Instow and take your bikes with you. Appledore has been famous for the building of sailing ships for centuries. A replica of the Mayflower was constructed here in 1970 and sailed to America. Returning to Instow we cycle on to inspect the restored signal box open during the summer on Sundays. Three miles further along brings us to Bideford.

To explore Bideford you must cross the 14th century bridge built by the Grenville family. Richard Grenville commanded ships from Appledore when he joined Francis Drake against  the Spanish Armada. The Kingsley statue has a commanding position at the end of the quay. Back on the trail we cross the Landcross viaduct over the River Torridge and for the next four miles cycle along the Torridge valley. Torrington station now a pub called the Puffin Billy is another refreshment stop.

ROUTE B

Leave the cycle hire depot and cross the magnificent stone bridge held up by 14 piers and make for the right hand bank of the Taw estuary. At Ashford Strand watch the birds feeding. ( 3.5 miles ).

Quench your thirst at Heanton Court ( 4 miles ). Visit Braunton for refreshments or shopping ( 6.5 miles ).

Crow Point - ( a very rewarding extension on a public road and a toll road where slow moving vehicles may be encountered ). Picnic on the raised river banks to observe swans, ducks and moorhen in the drainage channels. Have a glimpse of Braunton's Medieval Great Field and on to see the sand dunes on SSSI. The kids will love this. ( Round trip including Braunton 20 miles ).