A short visitor's guide to Appledore, Devon: things to do, places to eat and drink, and what's on through the year.
Appledore is a village at the mouth of the River Torridge in North Devon, around three miles north of Bideford and six miles west of Barnstaple. The village sits where the Torridge meets the Taw estuary, with views across to Instow on the opposite bank. The streets of coloured fishermen's cottages, the working quayside and the lifeboat slipway give Appledore an authentic maritime character that sets it apart from the larger North Devon resorts.
The village is known locally for Hocking's Ice Cream, a brand made only in Appledore and sold throughout North Devon, and for a thriving community of artists and craft workers who have settled here over the years. With 78 dog-friendly holiday cottages in the area, it is also one of the most dog-welcoming bases on the North Devon coast.
Appledore's attractions are compact and centred on the quay, the estuary and the outdoor activity centre.
Appledore Quay is the heart of the village: a working harbour with fishing boats, a lifeboat station and views across the Torridge to Instow. North Devon Maritime Museum at Odun House on Odun Road is a local heritage museum covering the history of the port, the shipbuilding industry and the estuary communities. Skern Lodge Outdoor Activity Centre on the edge of the village runs a wide range of guided water and land-based activities, from kayaking and coasteering to climbing and bushcraft, suitable for all ages and groups.
The main outdoor draw near Appledore is the North Devon coast and the estuary walking routes. The Royal North Devon Golf Club at Westward Ho! (Golf Links Road, EX39 1HD) is one of England's oldest golf clubs and lies a short drive from the village, set on the Pebble Ridge above Westward Ho! beach. The Tarka Trail cycling and walking route passes nearby, connecting the estuary towns.
Appledore has a good set of independent galleries for a village of its size, a craft shop and two small libraries.
The Appledore Crafts Co on Bude Street is a well-rated craft shop and community space. Appledore Gallery on Market Street and The Gallery on One End Street are both independently run and showing local and regional work. The Square Studio in Northam is another nearby gallery option. Appledore Library on The Quay is a small but well-rated local library.
Appledore and the nearby village of Instow between them offer a good selection of pubs on and near the estuary.
The Champ on Meeting Street in Appledore is the village's highest-rated pub, a characterful local with an excellent reputation. In Instow, a short drive or ferry ride across the water, the waterfront has a cluster of good options: The Boathouse and Instow Arms on Marine Parade are both well-regarded estuary pubs, and Sundown Bar has a five-star rating. Back in the village, The Royal Hotel on Bude Street and the nearby Kingsley Inn in Northam are both reliable options for an evening pint.
Appledore's eating options are focused on the quay and the village streets, with good fresh fish and a standout independent on the estuary.
Flame Factory on The Quay is the most highly rated restaurant in the village, a well-reviewed independent serving fresh, local food. The Beaver Inn on Irsha Street is a pub-restaurant with a consistently strong reputation. For fish and chips, both Sylvesters Fish and Chips on Meeting Street and The Royal Plaice on Bude Street are well-regarded local chippies. In Northam, Kates Plaice on Windsor Road is the area's top-rated fish and chip shop, and Northam Fish Bar on Cross Street also has excellent reviews.
Appledore's cafe scene is compact and strong for the village's size, with several well-reviewed independents on and near the quay.
The Appledore Bakery on Market Street is rated 4.9 stars and is the go-to spot for fresh baked goods. Northam Coffee House on Fore Street in Northam is the other standout, also 4.9 stars. Hocking's Dairy Cream Ices on Kingsley Avenue is the home of the famous North Devon ice cream brand: the factory and shop are worth a visit in their own right. The Coffee Cabin and Market Street Kitchen are both well-rated cafe options on the quay and village streets.
Appledore is accessible by bus and, in summer, by a seasonal estuary ferry.
By bus, Stagecoach service 21A runs hourly between Appledore, Northam, Bideford, Instow, Fremington and Barnstaple; in summer months the frequency doubles to two buses per hour. Stagecoach service 16 is a circular route connecting Bideford, Westward Ho!, West Appledore, Appledore and Northam, running six times a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
By ferry, a seasonal passenger service operates across the Torridge estuary between the Appledore slipway and Instow Quay. The service runs for around two hours either side of high tide and is particularly useful for walkers on the Tarka Trail and South West Coast Path. It operates as a not-for-profit community service on days when water levels allow.