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15th November 2018
North Devon is hugely popular for holiday-makers all year round, and with so many beautiful places to visit, there is an abundance of public transport options to help you get to your chosen destination. Bus, train or boat, we’ll break down all the best ways to get around our area using public transport in this handy blog.
As well as by car, Ilfracombe is easily accessible by coach and bus too. There are local bus services running across North Devon that can take you directly to this location. Hop on the 21A and take a journey from Bideford, through Barnstaple and right to the centre of Ilfracombe from just £2.70.
If you want to take a more daring trip to the north of our coast and you have your own boat, for a small charge you can dock in Ilfracombe Harbour. Special buoys marked ‘visitor’ are reserved for mooring boats.
A central North Devon location, Bideford is accessible by the usual bus services, with most of the North Devon buses passing through the town. Jump on the 21A Wave from Ilfracombe or Barnstaple, catch the 5B from Torrington or the 85 from Bude.
If you’re in the mood for an action filled day, jump on a bike and head to Bideford along the Tarka Trail. Start at the Puffing Billy in Torrington, where you can hire your own bikes, or start at the other end in Braunton - all routes lead through Bideford. You can also travel to the Quay by boat for a small mooring charge, which is the perfect way to see the sights and sounds of the local area, and hopefully some wildlife too.
One of the most popular destinations in the local area, Clovelly is accessible in many ways. Coach companies plan coach trips all year round, taking you to and from the village, a great option for a day out. If you’re looking to get the bus to the village from the local area, the 319 stops in the car park of the Visitor Centre, leaving just a short 100m walk to the entrance of the village.
Much like most of the locations we have mentioned, Clovelly is accessible from the water. Dock up at the historic docks for a small mooring charge and enjoy the wonders that the harbour-side Red Lion has to offer.
Appledore is just a short drive from Bideford and sits along the River Torridge, making it a hub of activity during the summer months. Accessible through the same buses as Bideford, the 21A travels through Appledore on its way to Barnstaple and alternatively from Ilfracombe the opposite way. Visiting boats can dock at the nearing harbour which is just a short walk from the centre of the village.
Similarly to Clovelly, the 319 bus travels through to Hartland and back to Barnstaple, allowing you easy access to some great sights along the way. If you fancy seeing the local countryside first hand, you can travel along the Southwest Coast Path to Hartland Quay.
Whether you’re travelling from near or far, North Devon’s public transport will get you to your chosen destination in no time, whether that’s on a bus, in a boat or on a bike, it’s part of the charm!
Discover more about the local area on the explore section of our website, and let us know what you’re getting up to on your next trip over on our Facebook page.
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