You are currently viewing Barnstaple to Bideford: Tarka Trail & South West Coast Path
Barnstaple to Bideford

Barnstaple to Bideford: Tarka Trail & South West Coast Path

Barnstaple to Bideford Tarka Trail and South west coast path. We decided to do this section on bikes as the Tarka trail is level and nicely paved.

We hired an electric bike for me as I have so wanted to try one and see if it would enable me to cycle again… The answer resounding success.

Electric Bike Tarka Trail Barnstaple to Bideford

We hired the bikes from Tarka Bike in barnstaple next to the train station so friendly and helpful very well organised. I had a lovely bright red bike called “Dino” for £30 for the whole day. We travelled the whole distance as a group of five, two on electric bikes, two on gravel bikes and one mobility scooter. The path was well maintained and fully tarmac which made cycling simple and totally accessible for a mobility scooter.

The tarka trail this section was very busy with both cyclists and walkers. I was really surprised by the numbers of electric bikes which give so many more people the option to cycle.

Tarka trail, south west coast path and national cycle path Number 3

Tarka Trail and South West Coast Path

There is a small section of the south west coast path (SWCP) that actually goes away for the Tarka trail. That section can be walked by parking at sandhills car park, Marine Parade, Instow, Bideford EX39 4LF. Then walking along the coast to Yelland then connecting up with the Tarka Trail to do a cycle. Sandhills car park has a bad reputation of fining car even when they have not even managed to park so beware.

We turned round at Bideford railway heritage centre.

Vegan Food Options:

Vegan food options:

Fremington Quay: They seem to always have a nut roast option available for roasts and a baguettes with an vegan options but did not venture in as the mobility scooter was running out of power. But as a dedicated blogger we will with go in the next few weeks for a visit to try out the food!

The Glorious Oyster – Instow: This mainly offers fish but they do a “Bajan Vish Cake” which is vegan.

Johns of Instow: This is deli which is both sides of the river offer the most delicious vegan pasties and usually a few vegan cakes. The coffee shops also has plant based milks on offer.

​ 

Louise Burton-Payne

Passionate about feeding my body a plant-based vegan food to benefit my health, save the planet and protect animals.

Leave a Reply