North Walk

The waterways around Barnstaple and the rest of the UK have been used as transport links for thousands of years. The quayside and river were used to transport wool from Ireland which was then turned into cloth at the factory. There were other trades here too like a flour and grain mill. It is said that the reignition of Barnstaple came after the railways were built – what does this demonstrate about the way transport has changed?

what3words ///wires.glad.leader

In this photograph compare the action and activity of the working waterways to the photograph taken in 1983. Can you identify the business from the signs? Consider what you see today at the same location to think about the changes to the area.

what3words ///wires.glad.leader

what3words ///wires.glad.leader

what3words ///plants.assume.pure

On the green in front of you there once stood Barnstaple Castle, the view from the top looked out across the town and the river crossings. This meant people in the castle could watch for anyone coming into or leaving Barnstaple. The castle is no longer there, instead there is a massive hill. If it is safe to do so, climb up to the top of the hill and on a good day you might get a good view of Barnstaple!