Barnstaple travel guide

Barnstaple Tourism | Barnstaple Guide

You're Going to Love Barnstaple

With a population of 32,532, Barnstaple is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. Consider staying at least one whole day in Barnstaple to see all of its attractions.

Where to Eat in Barnstaple

If you’re looking for affordable options, The Waterside (Chivenor Business Park) and Heanton Court (Braunton Rd) are great picks.

When to visit Barnstaple

Barnstaple in January
Estimated hotel price
$65
1 night at 3-star hotel
Barnstaple in January
Estimated hotel price
$65
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Barnstaple

Plane

Although Barnstaple doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Cardiff Airport (CWL), which is located 38 miles from Barnstaple. The shortest flight to Barnstaple from the United States departs from New York and takes around 11h.

Train

Great Western Railway is the most popular train carrier serving Barnstaple, followed by AccesRail. The train journey from Barnstaple to London takes 2h 42m and costs around $54 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Newcastle upon Tyne, expect to pay about $299 for a 6h 04m trip. The train station in Barnstaple is called Barnstaple, and is located 0.5 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Barnstaple is to pick up a car rental from London, which is about 172 miles from Barnstaple. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Europcar, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Barnstaple, including National Express, Megabus and FlixBus. From Birmingham, the bus ride to Barnstaple takes 250 miles and will cost you around $41. From London, the ticket costs about $24 for a journey of 270 miles. Barnstaple’s bus station is located 0.1 miles from the city center.

Plane

Although Barnstaple doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Cardiff Airport (CWL), which is located 38 miles from Barnstaple. The shortest flight to Barnstaple from the United States departs from New York and takes around 11h.

Train

Great Western Railway is the most popular train carrier serving Barnstaple, followed by AccesRail. The train journey from Barnstaple to London takes 2h 42m and costs around $54 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Newcastle upon Tyne, expect to pay about $299 for a 6h 04m trip. The train station in Barnstaple is called Barnstaple, and is located 0.5 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Barnstaple is to pick up a car rental from London, which is about 172 miles from Barnstaple. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Europcar, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Barnstaple, including National Express, Megabus and FlixBus. From Birmingham, the bus ride to Barnstaple takes 250 miles and will cost you around $41. From London, the ticket costs about $24 for a journey of 270 miles. Barnstaple’s bus station is located 0.1 miles from the city center.

Airports near Barnstaple

Airlines serving Barnstaple

KLM
Good (838 reviews)
SWISS
Good (956 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,654 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,573 reviews)
Air France
Good (985 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,418 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (802 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (840 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (733 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (738 reviews)
Eurowings
Good (193 reviews)
easyJet
Good (1,428 reviews)
Ryanair
Good (3,392 reviews)
GOL
Good (703 reviews)
Vueling
Good (802 reviews)
Virgin Atlantic
Good (488 reviews)
Kenya Airways
Good (162 reviews)
Aegean Airlines
Excellent (503 reviews)
Jet2
Excellent (103 reviews)
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Where to stay in popular areas of Barnstaple

Most booked hotels in Barnstaple

Kentisbury Grange
4 stars
Excellent (8.9, 1180 reviews)
$173+
The Woolacombe Bay Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (9, 103 reviews)
$305+
The Imperial Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 1064 reviews)
$161+
Watersmeet Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 336 reviews)
$329+
The Park Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, 946 reviews)
$134+
Croyde Bay Hotel or Self Catering
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1019 reviews)
$132+

Renting a car in Barnstaple

Expect to pay $7.12 per gallon in Barnstaple (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $85.40 and $113.87. The most frequently booked car type in Barnstaple is Economy (Vauxhall Corsa or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Vauxhall Astra or similar) are, on average, 56% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Expect to pay $7.12 per gallon in Barnstaple (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $85.40 and $113.87. The most frequently booked car type in Barnstaple is Economy (Vauxhall Corsa or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact rental cars (Vauxhall Astra or similar) are, on average, 56% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.