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 Los Angeles and takes around 24h 56m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Barnstaple, followed by Great Western Railway. The train journey from Barnstaple to London takes 2h 08m and costs around $68 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Nottingham, expect to pay about $56 for a 5h 58m 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, FlixBus and Bus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Barnstaple takes 105 miles and will cost you around $13. From London, the ticket costs about $16 for a journey of 250 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 Los Angeles and takes around 24h 56m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Barnstaple, followed by Great Western Railway. The train journey from Barnstaple to London takes 2h 08m and costs around $68 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Nottingham, expect to pay about $56 for a 5h 58m 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, FlixBus and Bus. From Bristol, the bus ride to Barnstaple takes 105 miles and will cost you around $13. From London, the ticket costs about $16 for a journey of 250 miles. Barnstaple’s bus station is located 0.1 miles from the city center.

Airports near Barnstaple

Airlines serving Barnstaple

KLM
Good (842 reviews)
SWISS
Good (950 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,643 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,574 reviews)
Air France
Good (982 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,422 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (807 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (838 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (734 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (740 reviews)
Eurowings
Good (193 reviews)
easyJet
Good (1,427 reviews)
Ryanair
Good (3,392 reviews)
GOL
Good (701 reviews)
Vueling
Good (798 reviews)
Virgin Atlantic
Good (490 reviews)
Kenya Airways
Good (164 reviews)
Aegean Airlines
Excellent (503 reviews)
Jet2
Excellent (102 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)
$306+
The Imperial Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 1064 reviews)
$161+
Watersmeet Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 336 reviews)
$331+
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

Renting a car in Barnstaple costs $55 per day, on average.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 26% more expensive than at Exeter.

Expect to pay $7.19 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 $86.31 and $115.08. 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.

Renting a car in Barnstaple costs $55 per day, on average.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 26% more expensive than at Exeter.

Expect to pay $7.19 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 $86.31 and $115.08. 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.