How to get to North Devon

By Road: 

By car, you have a choice of a number of routes to get to North Devon. The quickest and easiest way to reach North Devon is to travel along the M5 until you get to junction 27, then follow the A361 link road until you reach Barnstaple. From there, take the well-signed roads to your onward destination; although please note for some destinations on Exmoor, it may be better to turn off the link road around South Molton for easier access.

If you’re travelling from Cornwall, the A39 (or Atlantic Highway, as it’s known) is a direct route with scenic views along the way. If you’re arriving from Exeter or Crediton you may prefer to take the A377, whilst the A386 and A388 give more direct access from Plymouth and South Devon. If you’re heading for Ilfracombe, Lynton or Exmoor, the A39 coastal road or A396 make for scenic alternatives, and a great way to see the local countryside.

By Rail: 

North Devon is well served by rail, with an hourly direct link to Exeter St David’s station and the rest of the UK rail network. On arriving in Barnstaple, via the scenic Tarka Line, head for the centre of town across the old bridge and follow the signs to Barnstaple Bus Station, where there are buses to many of the surrounding areas across North Devon and Exmoor. Alternatively, taxis can be found near the bus and train stations to take you to your onward destinations.

For timetables and ticket information visit: http://www.gwr.com

By Bus: 

With many different bus routes across North Devon and Exmoor, getting to and around the local area is relatively straight forward.

Visit www.travelinesw.com, www.exploremoor.co.uk or www.journeydevon.info for help planning your journeys.

By Coach: 

A number of coach service providers across the UK also have transport routes travelling through North Devon which are worth exploring.

Try the National Express for several available stops across North Devon: www.nationalexpress.com.

By Plane: If you’re arriving by air, the two most convenient airports are Exeter (around an hour away by car, bus or train) or Bristol (a two-hour drive away). Other airports within reach are Plymouth, Swansea, Cardiff and Newquay. A number of local transport firms can arrange taxis or airport shuttle services to help with your connections.

Accessibility

North Devon & Exmoor offer a wide range of holidays, accommodation and attractions to suit travellers with disabilities – use the filters in the left-hand column of this site to adjust searches to your requirements.  If you’re heading to the beach, Saunton Sands can offer a Landeez all-terrain wheelchair to enable those who are less able to enjoy the surroundings. For an award-winning, fully accessible centre offering a wide range of activities on-site, check out the Calvert Trust Exmoor – offering everything from horse riding to climbing, so you’re certainly in for a fun day out.

Surf, Tide & Weather Information

To help you plan your stay, the latest weather forecasts can be found at the BBC Weather or Met Office websites. For up-to-date surf forecasts (including tide tables, sunrise and sunset times) try Magic Seaweed, or to experience the surf before you get there, check out the beach webcams and pictures of the day at Eyeball Surf.