Barnstaple Attractions

Barnstaple (pop. 25,000) claims, on the strength of a charter granted in 830, to be the oldest town in England. Situated on the estuary of the River Taw, it is a good center from which to explore North Devon. There was a harbor here even in Norman times, the bridge across the river being erected in 1273. John Gay, the composer of "The Beggar's Opera", was born here in 1685. Historic buildings of Barnstaple, which are also interesting from an architectural point of view, are the Guildhall (1826), Horwood's Almshouses (1674) in Church Lane, Penrose's Almshouses (1627) in Litchdon Street and Salem House (1834) in Trinity Street. The parish church of SS Peter and Paul, unfortunately much altered during its restoration by Gilbert Scott (1866-82) possesses an unusual tower with a crooked spire (13th century). Also of interest is the Colonnade of the Bristol Merchant Venturers, built in 1708 as a stock exchange, with a statue of Queen Anne. The former St Anne's Chapel houses a local museum with mementos of John Gay.