Barnstaple - Estuary Town

Barnstaple has gone from strength to strength over the years yet has still managed to retain its unique identity. As well as a prosperous future Barnstaple has a rich and ancient past stretching back over a 1000 years. As early as 890 an inhabited fortification was known to have existed in the lower Taw Valley, populated by several hundred people. The town itself was believed to have had its first Charter granted in 930 by King Athelstan.

Barnstaple Heritage Centre opened in 1998 and is situated in the Grade I and II listed Queen Anne's Walk building along Barnstaple’s historic quayside. The aim of the Heritage Centre is to tell both locals and visitors alike the story of the town from the early Saxon period onwards, covering the main periods in Barnstaple’s rich heritage.

On first entering, you step in to the home of Byhrsige and his wife Elgitha in the year 995, who will tell of their life in Barnstaple during this time. Moving forward in history, you next set foot in Barnstaple’s bustling medieval market during the reign of Edward III. Here you will Meet Mistress Joan and Carver, and see the market stalls with their goods for sale By this time the town had become an important and growing trading centre, in particular for wool and woollen cloth.

Barnstaple in the 16th and 17th centuries was an exciting and adventurous time. The heart of the town was its quayside with ships sailing far and wide to trade in Ireland and Europe as well as the new colonies. Tobacco was imported, with pottery, cloth and other goods exported in return. In 1603, work began on the building of a new quay, to cope with the expanding trade.

As visitors walk into the next section of the Heritage Centre they enter the hold of The Swan, a 16th century merchant ship owned by Barnstaple man John Delbridge. Cabin boy Mathew will recount tales of his life aboard ship. If you have time why not stop a while and enjoy a game of quoits or try and guess the names of the spices on display?

From there we move into the Civil War years. Barnstaple changed hands four times over this period and, like many towns at this time, there was much suffering and hardship. On entering the Civil War trench, you will find out all about these dangerous times from a first-hand witness - Grace Beaple. The daily life of a foot soldier, cannon warfare and Barnstaple’s involvement in the Civil War are all revealed here.

As visitors pass through time, the more genteel days of the 18th century are reflected in the exhibits in this section, which cover Barnstaple’s famous literary son John Gay. Poet and playwright, his most famous work was ‘The Beggar’s Opera’. Also visitors may like to learn of the story of the Huguenot refugees from France.

The town expanded greatly during the next century and the reign of Queen Victoria saw a huge surge in civic planning and building. In 1854 the railway came to Barnstaple connecting the town with Exeter.

The Barnstaple we know today is a thriving market town, the administrative and commercial centre of North Devon, with its fine shops, bustling market and the splendid architecture of Green Lanes shopping centre.

Visitors exit through the excellent gift shop, where they may wish to buy from our selection of unusual and well-priced gifts to round off their visit to Barnstaple Heritage Centre.