Bideford

Nestling alongside the River Torridge, Bideford is more than a resort. It is a market town and a port, too, with an active fishing industry. Cargo ships call in to load and unload and the MS Oldenburg, which plies between Bideford and Lundy Island, is often to be seen tied up by the quayside. Bideford being its port. First mention in the history books of the Quay was in 1619 when there were beaches at the river's edge. As the ship-building trade boomed, the Quay was developed and there are still marker stones in the pavement as a testament to that reconstruction. Sir Walter Raleigh is believed to have brought his first cargo of tobacco to Bideford and the town soon became one of the largest tobacco trading centres of that period. Local merchants also imported vast quantities of wool during the reign of Charles 1 and had so great a share of the trade with Newfoundland that, in 1699, they sent out more ships than any other in England apart from London and Topsham.

8 °C


Clouds, overcast clouds


Wind4.02 m/s
Cloudiness98 %
Temperature (min/max)8/8 °C
Pressure1015 hpa
Humidity63 %
Last update: 22 Dec 2024 @ 13:33

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  • Tantons Hotel

    Located in Bideford, Devon, England, United Kingdom

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    Located in Bideford, Devon, England, United Kingdom

    Golden ParkThe area where the Golden Park Bed and Breakfast in Bideford, North Devon, United Kingdom is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty with magnificent cliff scenery. This accommodation is ideally suited for walking and an excellent base for exploring the most rugged and spectacular piece of coastline. Golden Park is currently the host Bed and Breakfast for out of season photographic and rambling workshops.READ MORE

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