Barnstaple travel guide

Barnstaple Tourism | Barnstaple Guide

You're Going to Love Barnstaple

With a population of 32,532, Barnstaple is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. Consider staying at least one whole day in Barnstaple to see all of its attractions.

Where to Eat in Barnstaple

If you’re looking for affordable options, The Waterside (Chivenor Business Park) and Heanton Court (Braunton Rd) are great picks.

When to visit Barnstaple

Barnstaple in January
Estimated hotel price
£51
1 night at 3-star hotel
Barnstaple in January
Estimated hotel price
£51
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Barnstaple

Plane

Although Barnstaple doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Cardiff Airport (CWL), which is located 61 km from Barnstaple. Bristol Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from easyJet, British Airways, Loganair and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Barnstaple departs from Belfast and takes around 1h 30m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Barnstaple, followed by Great Western Railway. The train journey from Barnstaple to London takes 2h 04m and costs around £35 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Manchester, expect to pay about £161 for a 4h 19m trip. The train station in Barnstaple is called Barnstaple, and is located 0.8 km from the city centre.

Car

Another option to get to Barnstaple is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 277 km from Barnstaple. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and DRIVALIA , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Barnstaple, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Cardiff, the bus ride to Barnstaple takes 362 km and will cost you around £31. From London, the ticket costs about £19 for a journey of 402 km. Barnstaple’s bus station is located 0.2 km from the city centre.

Plane

Although Barnstaple doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Cardiff Airport (CWL), which is located 61 km from Barnstaple. Bristol Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from easyJet, British Airways, Loganair and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Barnstaple departs from Belfast and takes around 1h 30m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Barnstaple, followed by Great Western Railway. The train journey from Barnstaple to London takes 2h 04m and costs around £35 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Manchester, expect to pay about £161 for a 4h 19m trip. The train station in Barnstaple is called Barnstaple, and is located 0.8 km from the city centre.

Car

Another option to get to Barnstaple is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 277 km from Barnstaple. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and DRIVALIA , among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Barnstaple, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Cardiff, the bus ride to Barnstaple takes 362 km and will cost you around £31. From London, the ticket costs about £19 for a journey of 402 km. Barnstaple’s bus station is located 0.2 km from the city centre.

Airports near Barnstaple

Airlines serving Barnstaple

KLM
Good (846 reviews)
SWISS
Good (955 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,594 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,587 reviews)
Air France
Good (980 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,431 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (818 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (834 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (728 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (760 reviews)
Eurowings
Good (194 reviews)
easyJet
Good (1,438 reviews)
Ryanair
Good (3,398 reviews)
GOL
Good (697 reviews)
Vueling
Good (799 reviews)
Virgin Atlantic
Good (497 reviews)
Kenya Airways
Good (160 reviews)
Aegean Airlines
Excellent (497 reviews)
Jet2
Excellent (99 reviews)
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Where to stay in Barnstaple

Average rates range from around £101 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to £155 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Barnstaple

Most booked hotels in Barnstaple

Kentisbury Grange
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, Excellent reviews)
£136+
The Imperial Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
£115+
Watersmeet Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
£264+
The Woolacombe Bay Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, Excellent reviews)
£199+
The Park Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
£105+
Croyde Bay Hotel or Self Catering
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£104+

Hiring a car in Barnstaple

Hiring a car in Barnstaple costs £60 per day, on average.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 4% more expensive than at Exeter.

Expect to pay £1.49 per litre in Barnstaple (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £17.80 and £23.73. The most frequently booked car type in Barnstaple is Economy (Vauxhall Corsa or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Volkswagen up! or similar) is, on average, 66% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Hiring a car in Barnstaple costs £60 per day, on average.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 4% more expensive than at Exeter.

Expect to pay £1.49 per litre in Barnstaple (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £17.80 and £23.73. The most frequently booked car type in Barnstaple is Economy (Vauxhall Corsa or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Volkswagen up! or similar) is, on average, 66% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.