5miles/
8kms

A different aspect of the Tarka Trail Bishops and a Saint

About this route

This walk uses part of the Tarka Trail from Barnstaple to Landkey, although generally easy and based on the urban centre of Barnstaple, follows a length of the route not so readily associated with the Tarka Trail. It is designed to use the regular local bus service to return to Barnstaple.

Getting Around

Barnstaple is the hub of public transport for northern Devon and is well served by buses from all over this part of the County. It is also at the end of the Tarka Line branch railway from Exeter.

The walk is designed to use the local bus service between Landkey and Barnstaple. The buses generally run at half-hourly intervals Mondays to Saturdays but Sunday services are more limited, and may not run on winter Sundays.

Facilities
Barnstaple – all facilities; Bishop’s Tawton – pub, buses; Landkey – pub; Landkey Newland – pub, post office/stores.
Terrain
6 stiles; no steep climbs
Accessibility
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OS Maps

Landranger (1:50,000 scale) no. 180 Barnstaple and IIfracombe
Explorer (1:25,000 scale) no. 139 Bideford, IIfracombe and Barnstaple

For More Information

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Interesting information

The Clock Tower was built in 1862 as a memorial to Prince Albert.

The stone commemorates the opening of the park by William Rock, who donated the land for its establishment in the 1870s.

This bridge once carried a railway line linking the Taunton line with that to and from Exeter and Bideford. It now carries one of the cycle routes in Barnstaple’s network.

Photo of a clock tower at Barnstaple with the town behind
Barnstaple Clock Tower Copyright Dietmar Rabich

You can explore more in this area

Photo of a view across the estuary and mud to Fremington Quay with a bridge on the right
3.75miles/
6kms

Tarka, the Taw and a Town Trail

This is a one-way walk along the old railway line which flanks the south side of the Taw Estuary in
Photo of the top of a waymarking post for the Coast Path and Tarka Trail
23miles/
37kms

Tarka Trail Easy Walk

Entirely traffic free, this part of the Tarka Trail can be enjoyed in sections to suit your group.  This off-road route stretches for