Barnstaple Accommodation

Barnstaple North Devon Arts and Crafts North Devon Festival Barnstaple UK

Barnstaple just happens to be one of the oldest towns in Britain, and was a key Devon centre during the wool trade boom during the medieval period, and Barnstaple's 11th century castle was mentioned in the Domesday Book. The castle unfortunately is long gone. Still there's plenty to do and see in the area, with historical sites and museums, plus a thriving arts, crafts and cultural scene, aided by the development of the North Devon Festival. Check out the North Devon Museum at Barnstaple for the history of Shapland and Petter, famous cabinet makers and arts and crafts centre. Hardly surprising, with this arts and crafts history, that Barnstaple should be a key centre for the new North Devon Festival, and of course the superb Broomhill Sculpture Gardens is in Barnstaple!

The Broomhill Sculpture Gardens is a must visit in Barnstaple. It serves as a central North Devon venue for arts and crafts and is the focus of the North Devon Festival. One of the best sculpture parks in the UK!

Barnstaple Tourist Information

Barnstaple's long history is detectable in it's name, which derives from the old English 'Beardan Stapol' meaning literally the post or trading post. Metal work, pottery and wool were all key industries in Barnstaple, which was perfectly placed as a port with both the River Taw and it's own estuary. Sample Barnstaple's history by taking the Heritage Trail around the town (a booklet is available from the Barnstaple Museum). This trail takes in St Peter's Church, parts of which date back to the 11th century, although what remains is mostly 14th century. Other buildings include Normanton House and Queen Anne House, both superb examples of 16th century buildings, with the trail culminating at the museum.

During the Victorian period Barnstaple became particularly renowned for it's pottery made from red-clay and called Barum ware. The style was terracotta pots, vases and so forth and beautifully crafted. There's plenty of Barum pottery on display in the marvellous North Devon Museum. There's more as well on the history of Barnstaple arts and crafts. Every heard of Shapland and Petter cabinets and arts and crafts? Barnstaple based Shapland and Petter are increasingly getting more attention today, particularly for their elaborate cabinets, fast becoming collectables. They were noticeable for their use of heart shaped piercing design and geometric shapes with angled arches, as well as the application of repousse copper panels . Each cabinet was always beautifully crafted, and many decorated with marquetry, metal inlay, and mounting of ceramic and enamel cabochons. In their time they mastered cutting edge design techniques, combining state of the art technology and fine workmenship. All pieces were individually crafted with care. The company continued to thrive in the 20th century, producing furniture. Learn more about Shapland and Petter at the North Devon Museum in Barnstaple, where a separate exhibition space on Shapland & Petter exists.

Museum of North Devon, The Square, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 8LN. Tel: Telephone: 01271 346747. Exhibitions include a Shapland and Petter exhibition, a North Devon Art Pottery section, with Barum pottery on display, changing temporary exhibitions and a North Devon at War and Royal Devon Yeomanry section. Other galleries include the Tarka Gallery, Victorian Lives and Merchants and Manufacturers. There's some superb historical photographs on view at this museum. Open from 9.30am-5pm, Mondays-Saturdays. Closed Christmas Day to New Year's Day.

Barnstaple Heritage Centre, Queen Anne's Walk, The Strand, Barnstaple, North Devon. EX31 1EU. Tel: (01271) 373003. Find out more about Barnstaple's journey from small 890 fortification and one of the original four 'Burhs' in the UK to Medieval wooltrade centre. Read the fascinating story of Hugenot refugees from France who settled here in the 18th century. Barnstaple Heritage museum is a great little local history centre set in the Grade I/II listed Quen Anne Walk building near Barnstaple's historic quayside. Open from 1st Nov-31st March, Mon-Fri, 10am-4.30pm, Sat 10am-3.30pm. And from 1st April-31st Oct, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm.

Broomhill Sculpture Park, Barnstaple

Broomhill Sculpture Park consists of 10 acres of pure magic, with 300 sculptures scattered about by 60 internationally renowned sculptors. Discover superb pieces such as Greta Berlin's giant red shoe, Giles Kent's carved Alder stumps, and check out David Morris' plaster and concrete 'Freeloaders'. Give yourself at least a day for this attractions, for as well as the 300 magical sculptures in the 10 acre park, there are small pieces for sale by many of the same artists.

Also on-site is a gourmet restaurant, not cheap but delectable food. There's a Tapas Menu here as well, and if you book a free course lunch you get a free ticket to the sculpture gardens.The Broomhill is an award winning kitchen with a flavour of the Mediterranean. And guess what, Broomhill was originally a late Victorian hotel, and the hotel is open today with 7 delightful rooms decorated with antiques and contemporary art, as you'd expect. If you take a fancy to one of the sculptures in the sculpture garden, you'll usually find it for sale (in miniature version of course) in the excellent Broomhill Gallery Shop. Take a look! You can get married here as well, and Broomhill is licenced for Civil Wedding ceremonies, with an option to hire the whole hotel if you like too. A wedding with a difference indeed.

It's simply the largest sale centre of contemporary ceramics, bronzes and paintings in the South West. A new development for 2005 is the area called 'On the Court', which used to be the old Victorian Hotel's tennis court. Now it's used as a space for just one artist, and currently in 1005 it's Mike Roles and his 'collisions with Time' sculptures. Learn more on the comprehensive Broomhill Art Hotel and Sculpture Park's website link to the right. Hepworth would be proud!

Broomhill Sculpture Gardens & Broomhill Art Hotel, Muddiford, Barnstaple, North Devon. Tel: 01271 850262. Open Wednesdays-Sundays from 11am-4pm. Last admission is 4pm. From July - August the park is open from Mondays - Sundays, 11am-6pm. It's closed however from 20th December to 15th January. Under �5 for the Sculpture Garden, but entrance to the gallery is Free!

More Barnstaple North Devon Attractions

Just near Broomhill Sculpture Gardens there's another fabulous Devon Gardens attraction, Marwood Hill Gardens. If you're touring Devon gardens Marwood Hill Gardens is one not to miss. There's a large walled garden here with collection of camellias which are best viewed in March. Check out the Folly and Scented ARbour with Eucalyptus, Sorbus, Malus and Betula.

It's a Devon Garden that changes with the seasons, from snowdrops through to bluebells, Magnolias, Rhododendrons Primulas and in summer the walled Clematis are at their best. Marwood Hill Gardens are open every day, and total 18 acres of landscaped gardens, which as well as the flowers includes herbaceous and alpine plants, trees and shrubs.

The plant centre at Marwood Hill Gardens sells a variety of rare plants not often found in typical garden centres, so if you're looking for something rare head here. The Plant Centre is open from 11am to 5pm.

Marwood Hill Gardens, Barnstaple, North Devon. Tel: 01271 342528. Check Marood Hill's website to the right for full details. Find the gardens 4 miles north of Barnstaple, following signs for the A361 Barnstaple to Braunton road.

Arlington Court Estate, Nr Barnstaple

Looking for a quirky Victorian manor house? Look no further than National Trust owned Arlington Court, once the home of the Chichester family and built in 1822. Move inside the house and you'll discover rooms crammed with Victorian furniture and a huge collection of artefacts collected by Rosalie Chichester (1865-1949) which she picked up on her various travels!

It's a Regency house with a collection of horse drawn carriages, and you can take rides around the grounds in these during the summer months. One of the best bits about this house is the bats - spook! Actually, bats close up aren't spooky at all, they're fascinating mammals. Here at Arlington Court you can view Devon's largest colony of Lesser Horseshoe Bats via the Bat cam - fantastic it is. Bats are protected species in Britain!

As well as bats, Arlington Court is home to a selection of Jacob Sheep. Not just any breed of sheep the Jacob! Not by mistake it's name is taken from a biblical character - this breed is age old and is significant for it's long, black horns. You can't miss then at Arlington, and they certainly add to the character of this Victorian Manor House. If you're taken with the Jacob Breed, check out the Jacob Sheep Society's weblink to the right for more details!

Barnstaple Golf Course, Portmore

More North Devon Golf anyone. What a fantastic region for golf North Devon is with a string of golf courses along the North Devon coast, and here in Barnstaple the Portmore Golf Park.

Barnstaple's golf course has two parkland courses, the aptly named Barum and Landkey. Both are 18 hole golf courses, and Barum has PAR 70, whilst Landkey has a PAR 54. There's some very good golf facilities on this course including a floodlit golf driving range. No handicaps are required.

Golf fans whilst in Barnstaple would do well to check out nearby prime golf course, Saunton. Saunton Golf Course, with it's 36 holes, is renowned for being one of the best golf courses in Britain! There's some prestigious names in their guest book anyway, thoroughly backing up Saunton as one of the best golf course, aka the likes of Jimmy Tarbuck and Gary Linekar. Saunton Golf Club, Saunton, Nr Braunton, Devon. EX33 1LG. Tel: 01271 812436.

Barnstaple Portmore Golf Park, Landkey Road, Barnstaple, North Devon. Tel: 01271 378 378 .

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