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To appreciate Charles Kingsley's description of "The Little White Town
which slopes upward from its broad river tide" make sure you approach
this ancient port and market town from "East the Water" and cross
the ancient Long Bridge which spans the River Torridge. The view today has
changed little since Kingley's sojourn here over 150 years ago whilst penning
his novel "Westward Ho!". Nowadays Bideford Town is the thriving
centre for the Torridge District with many modern amenities. Now definitely
in the 21st century with the impressive new Torridge Bridge up river and
the recently enhanced quay Bideford 2005 still retains its old charm. It
is equally well known for its great shopping, large number of lively pubs,
variety of places to eat and popular night spots. If you wish to enjoy Bideford
at a more sedate pace you can stroll around the town exploring the narrow
streets with brightly coloured shops selling everything from local fudge,
arts & crafts, fresh local produce and general goods to the latest fashions
and sportswear. There are cafes, restaurants and takeaways serving food
to suit every palette and a choice of traditional inns or theme bars where
you can eat or drink in or al-fresco. Take a "turn" around Victoria
Park and enjoy the excellent colourful floral displays or sit by the
quayside and watch the world go by. At high tide there is plenty of action,
this busy port is in regular use by local fishing boats, all manner of pleasure
craft, large container vessels and the Lundy supply ship "HMS Oldenburg".
The Oldenburg is also a passenger ferry with regular pleasure trips to Lundy
Island - you can find out about sailings from the Lundy Office on the Quay.
The headquarters of the Bideford Amateur Rowing Club is conveniently positioned
opposite the main Quay Steps affording easy access to the river. Rowers
simply haul their "skulls" across the road and down to the water's
edge. Across the water lies Brunswick Wharf where the historic schooner,
Kathleen & May, was lovingly restored and is now a favourite tourist
attraction. If you want to learn about Bideford and its history call in
at the Burton Art Gallery & Museum or the Bideford Library. For more
up to the minute information, Bideford Tourist Information Centre, at the
entrance to Victoria Park will be able to tell you about the "Town
Trail", local events, leisure activities, accommdation, nearby attractions
and much more. Don't forget to include the top of the town and visit Bideford
Pannier Market. The ancient covered Market Hall, Butchers Row and Market
Place Shops have all been restored. The Panner Market is on Tuesdays and
Saturdays, however, the Market Place Shops and Butchers Row are open six
days a week. Around the market place there are excellent inns, a café/gallery,
nightclub and bar. If you would rather not walk and prefer to drive up to
the top of the town there is ample parking or a free bus is available. Bideford
is a lively, popular place no matter what time of the year with many traditional
annual fun events including the Bideford Folk Festival, Bideford Regatta,
Bideford Water Festival and Bideford Carnival. It is also reputed to be
one of the best locations in the Country for New Year Celebrations. The
town puts on a host of activities, is closed to traffic and revellers enjoy
the festivities in fancy dress. Thousands of people gather on the quay and
along the old long bridge and wait for the town hall clock to strike midnight.
The
"Water Fountain" comprises a total of twenty-four nozzles. There
are three levels with eight water jets per level projecting water at varying
heights and distances into the Torridge River reaching up to 15 meters above
the quayside. It is programmed to gradually increase in size reaching its
maximum height at high tide. The system operates by three main variable
speed display pumps, pumping over 136 litres of seawater per second, all
controlled via a computerised controller with touch screen display. Each
nozzle represents one of the twenty-four arches in the old Long Bridge.
A number of resin blocks have also been cast into the quay wall. These blocks
contain artefacts of specific interest to Bideford and can be illuminated
at night The
little locomotive floral display by the entrance to Victoria Park is in
celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Bideford Railway.
For the Bideford Illustrated Street Map and Focus on Bideford Shopping and
Services Click here
Archive - Focus on Bideford Music Day which
was held for the last time in June 2005
Useful links:Bideford
Town Council, "Bideford
Buzz" - Newsletter for the Bideford Area,
Torridge District Council, |
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