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Places to stay in Appledore
Along the quaint, narrow streets and drangs of Appledore there are many fishermen’s cottages, some of which date back to the Elizabethan era. Where the Taw and Torridge rivers meet, sits the delightful quayside village of Appledore, next to the River Torridge. Appledore boasts a small but great range of shops, pubs, guesthouses and art galleries. A thriving fishing and trading village since the 14th century, Appledore has been a famous boat-building center for many years and the shipyard is still active today. Picturesque Appledore provides a peaceful base from which to explore North Devon, and is close to surf beaches plus the ancient market towns of Bideford, Barnstaple and Great Torrington. The Quay is very central to life in the village and it is here you will find many activities including fishing trips, crabbing contests on the quay, and sometimes Morris Dancers. This quaint fishing village has a maze of narrow streets leading to the quay. Don't forget the delicious Hocking's ice-cream made in Appledore and always available from their van on the quay! Appledore is located on the west bank of the tidal River Torridge at its confluence with the River Taw; jointly they flow NW for 4 km to Bideford Bay. Bideford town and port lies 4 km upstream. The town has a long maritime history associated principally with ship building; an industry that remains the dominant employer to the present day. Today ship building is limited to the Appledore Shipbuilders Yard which, when completed in 1970, was the largest covered dry dock in Europe. The yard was constructed following the closure of the Richmond dock (constructed in 1855) a Grade II* building which at its opening had itself the largest dry dock in the Bristol Channel.
