Tarka meets Tarka

Rock Park Bridge

Taw from the Bridge

More Grass

Rock Park Gardens

Longbridge

Don't Be So Square

Underneath The Arches

Trail Along The Strand

Fountain on the Strand

Town Station

Castle Green and Mound

Yeo Bridge

Barnstaple Station is where the Tarka Line meets the Tarka Trail. Bike hire is available from the near end of the station building as you look at it here.

Barnstaple benefits from a traffic free crossing option for the Taw. Using the iron bridge at the far end of Rock Park adds some distance to your ride, but you don't have to play with the notorious Barnstaple traffic on the Longbridge.

The view of the river from the Rock Park bridge. At the park end of the bridge there are cycle routes into town, up past the school to Whiddon Valley or up beside the river to Bishops Tawton.

As well as large grass expanses Rock Park provides Football Pitches, Tennis Courts, and the usual swings and other play equipment

Nearer the town the park is more planted.

Looking towards the road crossing from the cycle path in the park.

A pavement cycle path leads from the park to the Square. This is where you'll find 'The Bike Shed' and the North Devon Museum. To the left of frame you'll see where you turn off to get to the underpass under the Longbridge, avoiding the traffic.

Another view of the Longbridge from near the Museum.

The trail follows the river off towards Heanton and Braunton, past the Strand Promenade, where you'll find a cafe, the Heritage Centre and bike parking among other things

The fountain (with or without washing powder!), seating and a mosaic illustrating the history of Barnstaple are also located on the Strand. It's a 'promenade' so cycling, rollerblading and skateboarding isn't really allowed so be respectful and don't bully the pedestrians!

When you could still get a train as far as Ilfracombe this was the 'Town' station for Barnstaple. You can walk through where the old platform was, but the site now houses school facilities and sheltered housing so cyclists are routed out around the front of the building here.

Look, I'm spoiling you for picnic spots. Carefully cross the main road in front of the Town Station and you'll find your way to the Castle Green and the tree covered Mound, one of the oldest sites in the town. The brick built Library is on the far side of the green.

The sides of the swing bridge over the River Yeo are designed to look like the hull of a boat, and takes the track out of Barnstaple, past Pottington and on towards Braunton.