Walk · Devon

Taw and Torridge estuary long day

Barnstaple · EX31 2AU
Instow Yelland Fremington Bickington A39 River Taw River Taw River Caen N 2 MILES © OpenStreetMap contributors
11.6MILES
5hON FOOT
40mCLIMB
Out & backSHAPE
The route A-road B-road Lane Track Path Water Woodland
Off-road 93% 7% shares tarmac with cars
Field & moor path 5%Lane & track 88%Road with traffic 7%

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, over the Long Bridge to the south bank trail EX31 2AU
Parking
Pay-and-display at Barnstaple station or the Civic Centre; the branch line from Exeter reaches the start directly
Directions to the start →

A big flat day of 11.6 miles, five hours or so, out along the old Bideford railway line to Fremington Quay and Yelland and down to the sands at Instow, then back the same way, with barely 40 metres of climbing on tarmac trail throughout. Start at Barnstaple station, cross the Long Bridge and pick up the Tarka Trail on the south bank; the 21 and 21A buses shadow the route so you can shorten it to a one-way walk at Fremington or Instow whenever the dog has had enough. It is a superb distance walk for a fit dog with no stiles and no livestock, water at the Fremington Quay café and Instow beach at the far end, but there is nowhere shaded on a hot day and the winter high tide roosts along the estuary are closed to dogs from 1 October to 31 March.

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 high tide roosting sites for overwintering birds, which covers parts of the Taw and Torridge foreshore beside the trail. Fixed penalty GBP 100.

House rules, decoded

Water bowls
REGION · DEVON
GRID · 51.0752, -4.0630
SOURCE · HTTPS://WWW.SOUTHWESTCOASTPATH.ORG.UK/WALKSDB/335/
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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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