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Barnstaple Tour Operators

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About Barnstaple - show info hide info

Barnstaple, known locally as Barum, is a market town in the county of Devon in the South West of England. Barnstaple is the oldest borough in the UK, and rests in the valley of the River Taw, seven miles from the Riverâ€™s mouth. In 930 AD Barnstaple was a Saxon stronghold key to the defence of North Devon and surrounded by a strong wall to defend against attacks of the invading Danes. Barnstapleâ€™s name highlights its other area of importance. It was formerly known as Beardestaple i.e. the market or staple of Bearda. Still in regular occurrence from the Saxon era, Barnstapleâ€™s Pannier Market runs down the length of its famous street, Butchers Row. By the late nineteenth century, market trading this was considered out of hand and all previous markets were considered barbaric and a relic of a bygone age. Horse, cattle and sheep sales took place on the Strand. In 1852 an act of Parliament was passed that introduced regulations on markets and fairs. Butchers Row was built around the same time as the Pannier Market, and contains around 33 shops with pilasters of bath stone, and wrought iron supports to an overhanging roof. While few of the shops are butchers any more, the newer shops continue to sell agricultural goods and foods, ranging from bakers to florists. Barnstaple is proud of its floral displays, having been the winner of the Britain in Bloom competition many times, as well as the World in Bloom contest in 1998. Modern developments in Barnstaple are to include the Barnstaple Western Bypass, which will cost around Â£42 million to construct, and should be completed in 2007.