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Appledore is a tiny village with a big heart, famous for its shipbuilding,
fishing industry and maritime history. We must also acknowledge the bravery
of the Appledore Lifeboat crewmen who, since 1829, have been rescuing those
in peril off the North Devon coast from what is now the RNLI Lifeboat Station
at West Appledore. The village history and sea-faring traditions have been
well documented by local historians such as David Carter whose book "Illustrated
History of Appledore" chronicles the history of the sea-port village
from the earliest historical sources to the present day, The book includes
many original illustrations and approximately three hundred old photographs
of the village taken over the past century. We suggest you start your exploration
of this delightful place from the top of the village by visiting the North
Devon Maritime Museum on Odun Road. From here you can walk down to the quay
via Bude Street. The village is a labyrinth of narrow streets which run
down to Appledore Quay and stretches out along the Torridge estuary towards
the notorious Bideford Bar and the open sea. Appledore is positioned neatly
at the confluence of the River Taw and the River Torridge with spectacular
views over the estuary to the "Uplands", the Commodore Hotel and
the North Devon Yacht Club at Instow. From the Lifeboat Station slipway
there are views across to Braunton Burrows now part of the UNESCO North
Devon Biosphere Reserve. As in olden times, the Quay is still very much
the heart of the community and is bustling with activity at high tide when
sailing ships, yachts, gig boats and other craft scurry to and fro'. Local
fishermen still moor alongside the quay to sell their daily catch straight
off the boat and if you are lucky you will see a massive ocean going ship
on its way to unload cargo at the ancient port of Bideford. Fishing and
crabbing off the quay is still a favourite pastime for families and fishing
trips for sea bass and mackerel can be booked from the Quay Cabin or the
Sea Chest on Market Street who also sell marine chandlery. While you are
here search out the art and craft galleries, gift shops, tea shops, restaurants
and pubs tucked away in the narrow streets. For those who enjoy eating al
fresco try some traditional fish and chips from "Sylvestors",
just up the lane beside the Seagate Hotel, they also sell fresh local fish
and shellfish. A visit to Appledore would not be complete without tasting
local Hockings Ice Cream which has been made in Appledore since 1936. Their
brightly painted vans can also be seen in Bideford, Westward Ho!, Ilfracombe
and Torrington. During the summer there are some fantastic fundraising events,
festivals, fayres and fun days, including the Appledore Summer Festival,
Appledore Carnival, Appledore and Instow Regatta, West Quay Fun Day, Appledore
Lifeboat Open Day, Appledore Pilot Gig Races and the Appledore Book Festival.
Sadly the Appledore Visual Arts Festival
ended in 2013. The oldest building in Appledore is Docton House on Marine
Parade and is now home to Docton Court Gallery which holds exhibitions from
local artists at different times throughout the year. The ferry service
that had existed between Appledore and Instow for more than two centuries
was withdrawn in September 2007 but was happily reinstated in 2011. The
new Appledore to Instow Ferry has been running daily since June and will
continue until the end of October. The very first ferry ran from Braunton
in 1639. Time and tides did not stop the postal service and from about 1849
to 1939, in fair weather or foul, letters from Appledore were ferried across
to Instow . Today the Post Office can be found at "Johns of Appledore"
on the Quay If you want some action away from the village Skern Lodge at
Watertown holds Adventure Days for all ages and abilities with fun activities
including surfing, high ropes, kayaking, coasteering, abseiling, archery
and power boating. There are some less strenuous walks to Bideford and around
the Northam Burrows Country Park at Westward Ho! You can find out about
guided nature walks from the Northam Burrows Visitor Centre. Walkers, sheep
and horses share this common land with golfers from the Royal North Devon
Golf Club, the oldest links course in England. There are three miles of
golden sand at Westward Ho! more than enough room for families, surfers,
wind surfers and kite buggy enthusiasts. The Tarka Trail is enjoyed by walkers
and cyclists all year round.
"The Torridge joins its sister Taw and both together flow quietly
toward the broad surges of the Bar and the everlasting thunder of the long
Atlantic swell" - Charles Kingsley
Historical References: "Instow
a History" by Alison Grant & Others, John Beara Appledore, Handmaid
of the Sea 1990
Useful Links: Appledore
Lifeboat History, North
Devon Maritime Museum - appledoreinstowferry.com
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Appledore,
Taw and Torridge Estuary, Appledore Photos, Appledore Pictures, North Devon
Focus,
Appledore
Lifeboat,
Appledore History Bytes.
William Yeo and Prince Edward Island, Richmond Dry Dock, Charles Kingsley,
J. Hinks & Sons, Golden Hind, Nonsuch, Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore
Railway, Appledore Shipbuilders, Appledore to Instow Ferry |
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