Walk · Devon

Tarka Trail: Barnstaple to Ashford

Barnstaple · EX31 2AU
Bickington A361 B3149 River Yeo River Taw River Taw N 880 YD © OpenStreetMap contributors
2.9MILES
1hON FOOT
20mCLIMB
Linear — plan the returnSHAPE
The route A-road B-road Lane Track Path Water Woodland
Off-road 95% 5% shares tarmac with cars
Field & moor path 5%Lane & track 90%Road with traffic 5%

Our drawing of the route, over road and path data from OpenStreetMap. It shows where the walk goes and what it goes through. It is not a survey and not a navigation aid — carry OS Explorer on the hill. Off-lead information here is what walkers reported or what signage allows — never our advice. Whether and when a dog is off the lead is the owner’s decision and legal responsibility; keep dogs under control near livestock and follow signs on the day.

Starts at
Barnstaple railway station, on the Tarka Trail signs EX31 2AU
Finishes at
Ashford, by the Tarka Inn on the estuary roadLinear — plan how you get back
Parking
Pay-and-display at Barnstaple station and at the Civic Centre; the trail is also reachable on foot from the town centre in ten minutes
Directions to the start →

An easy 2.9 miles one way along the Taw estuary on a level tarmac path, an hour at an amble past saltmarsh and small rocky beaches to the Tarka Inn at Ashford, with almost no climbing at all. Start at Barnstaple station, which has the branch line from Exeter and a pay-and-display car park, and come back on the frequent Braunton bus from Ashford rather than retracing your steps. This is the sensible wet-weather and elderly-dog walk of North Devon, entirely traffic free and puddle flat, but note that the estuary mudflats are high tide roosts for overwintering birds and the council order bans dogs from land used as a roost between 1 October and 31 March, so keep to the trail and out of the saltmarsh in winter.

THE SMALL PRINTNorth Devon Council dog PSPO: between 1 October and 31 March dogs are not to be present on or near land used as a high tide roosting site for overwintering birds, which includes stretches of the Taw saltmarsh beside this path. Fixed penalty GBP 100.
REGION · DEVON
GRID · 51.0752, -4.0630
SOURCE · HTTPS://WWW.SOUTHWESTCOASTPATH.ORG.UK/WALKSDB/20/
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Asda Café

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Asda Café is a place to eat in Barnstaple. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

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Bailey Lodge
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Bailey Lodge

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Situated on the outskirts of Barnstaple in a quiet location this wonderful lodge offers open-plan accommodation. The market town of Barnstaple is under 2 miles away and has a plethora of shops pubs and restaurants. The coastal town of Instow is only 8 miles away offers a dog-friendly estuary beach and in the summer season you can catch a walk-on ferry across to Appledore. A day at RHS Rosemoor which has over 65 acres of woodland and stunning gardens and is only 14 miles away. For walking enthusiasts there is the South West Coast Path or a 9-mile drive takes you to Exmoor National Park with magical moorlands and woodlands to explore. Step through the gate onto the decked area and this will lead you to the patio door to enter this stunning lodge. The open-plan lounge/kitchen is a light and airy space with oak beams and is a great place to relax after a day s adventure. The lounge area has a large comfy sofa a wood burner and a Smart TV perfect to cosy up and watch a favourite movie with friends and family on cooler evenings. The kitchen is a great space to entertain and try out new recipes with the well-equipped space including an electric oven and hob fridge with a small freezer compartment dishwasher and microwave. There are two bedrooms one of which is a double and one a twin room. The family bathroom has a wet room and WC. Outside there is an enclosed decked wrap-around balcony with outdoor furniture and a charcoal BBQ so you can spend your evenings dining alfresco overlooking the scenic countryside. The lodge offers a large field to the front of the property perfect for dog walking. There is parking available for two cars with level access from the parking area. Need to know: 2 bedrooms 1 double and 1 twin. Wet room with shower and WC. Electric oven and hob, dishwasher, fridge with freezer compartment, and microwave. Travel cot and highchair available on request. Wood burner (first basket of logs included). Smart TV in the lounge. Enclosed decked area with outdoor furniture and charcoal BBQ. Large dog walking field to front of lodge. Parking for 2 cars with level access from the parking area. Beach 8 miles, shop and pub within 2 miles. Private water supply. Can be booked with sister property Nelson Lodge to accommodate up to 8 guests.

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