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You are here > Things to do > Tarka Cycle Hire
John & Margaret Kempson started Tarka Trail Cycle Hire in 1989, shortly after the disused Barnstaple to Bideford line was converted for recreational use and given the eponymous Tarka Trail status, inspired by Henry Williamson’s famous novel.
They were the first cycle hire business on the trail and were greatly welcolmed by the local council and other tourism practitioners in the area, who heralded the onset of tourism activities to help boost the local economy in a sustainable manner. Back in the early 1990, TTCH were one of only a few bespoke cycle hire companies in the UK which inspired the current plethora of bicycle trail centres, based on disused railways and mining tracks throughout the country.
We are proud to be part of the UK’s cycle hire heritage and are privileged to be based in such a key location at Barnstaple Rail Station which has direct access to the off-road cycle tracks and ample parking and public transport,
North Devon local and family friend Paul Phillips has taken over the business since 2014 and he will continue with the Tarka Trail philosophy to ensure visitors to the area enjoy one of the most relaxing & tranquil cycling experiences in the UK. Cycling Plus magazine recommended the trail as one of the top 40 things to do on a bike last year!
Paul is expanding the range of services offered by TTCH with a cycle workshop offering spares and repairs, as well as brand of bikes not yet available in North Devon!
We are very easy to find, as we are conveniently located beside Barnstaple Railway Station, with large, inexpensive parking – the perfect start point for exploring North Devon by bike!
You can follow all the road signs pointing to either the ‘Railway Station’, or the ‘Cycle Hire’ itself, as shown on the map below. Below the local area map is an interactive Google map, where you can get directions from your own location. We’ve also included our exact GPS coordinates, if you just want to pop us into your SatNav! If you are travelling from outside the area, as we are at the Railway Station, why not plan a trip on the train to see us & just collect your bikes when you arrive?!
Season (1 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2021) | ||
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Day | Times | |
Monday - Sunday | 09:00 | - 17:00* |
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