Historic bridges · South West England
Barnstaple Long Bridge
In or near Braunton.
Barnstaple Long Bridge — a Grade I-listed bridge in england-south-west, United Kingdom.
Roger A Smith — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 15 min–30 min
- Nearest railway station
- Barnstaple · 0.5 km
- Free entry
- Dog-friendly
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit Barnstaple Long Bridge, the nearest railway station is Barnstaple, located 0.5 km away. Entry to the bridge is free. The postcode for sat-nav is EX32 8LN.
About
Barnstaple Long Bridge is a Grade I-listed building in england-south-west, United Kingdom. Grade I status is conferred by Historic England (or Cadw, Historic Environment Scotland or NIEA equivalents) on buildings of exceptional national interest. See the linked Wikipedia article for full historical and architectural details.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2025
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Heritage listing
Barnstaple Long Bridge is a medieval bridge in Barnstaple, North Devon, in south-western England, spanning the River Taw. One of the largest medieval bridges in Britain, it is a Grade I listed building and ancient monument. Another major medieval bridge, the Bideford Long Bridge over the River Torridge, is a few miles away.
From the Historic England List Entry under OGL v3.
Protected designations
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: North Devon
Designations sourced from Natural England open data under OGL v3.
From the Wikipedia article
Barnstaple Long Bridge is a medieval bridge in Barnstaple, North Devon, in south-western England, spanning the River Taw. One of the largest medieval bridges in Britain, it is a Grade I listed building and ancient monument. Another major medieval bridge, the Bideford Long Bridge over the River Torridge, is a few miles away.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
The date of the first bridge as Barnstaple's main bridge across the River Taw is unclear. A will of 1274 left money for its upkeep and it underwent construction work around 1280 with further work being undertaken in 1333, and the bridge was partially destroyed in 1437 and 1646. It is unclear whether all of the arches were originally built of stone or whether three were wooden (known as "maiden Arches") until replacement in the 16th century. In 1796, the bridge was widened again. In 2016 plans were announced to upgrade the bridge including widening of footpaths and the creation of cycle lanes.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 51.0774, -4.0602
- County
- Devon
- District
- North Devon
- Parish
- Barnstaple
- Postcode
- EX32 8LN
- Parliamentary constituency
- North Devon
- Nearest railway station
- Barnstaple — 0.5 km
Sources
- wikidata: Q16838165 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Barnstaple Long Bridge (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
Museums · 0.1 km
North Devon Athenaeum
Museums · 0.1 km
Albert Clock
Memorials & monuments · 0.1 km
Imperial Hotel
Hotels · 0.2 km
The Royal and Fortescue Hotel
Hotels · 0.2 km
Queen Anne's Walk
Gardens · 0.2 km
Central Cinema
Theatres · 0.2 km
Penrose Almhouses
Historic houses · 0.3 km
Barnstaple
Museums · 0.3 km
Church of Saints Peter and Paul
Abbeys & priories · 0.3 km
Church of Saints Peter and Paul
Cathedrals · 0.3 km
St Annes Chapel And Old Grammar School Including Walls And Gates And Piers
Chapels · 0.3 km
Nearby
📷 5Museums · South West England
Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon — history museum in Devon, England, United Kingdom.
📷 5Museums · South West England
North Devon Athenaeum
North Devon Athenaeum — library and museum in Barnstaple, Devon.
📷 3Memorials & monuments · South West England
Albert Clock
Albert Clock — a memorial in england-south-west, United Kingdom.
📷 7Hotels · South West England
Imperial Hotel
Imperial Hotel — a hotel in england south west.
📷 5Hotels · South West England
The Royal and Fortescue Hotel
The Royal and Fortescue Hotel — a hotel in england south west.
📷 4Gardens · South West England
Queen Anne's Walk
Queen Anne's Walk — a garden in england-south-west, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near Barnstaple Long Bridge
Places to stay
📷 7Hotels · South West England
Imperial Hotel
Imperial Hotel — a hotel in england south west.
📷 5Hotels · South West England
The Royal and Fortescue Hotel
The Royal and Fortescue Hotel — a hotel in england south west.
📷 5Hotels · South West England
Tawstock Castle
Tawstock Castle — a hotel in england south west.
📷 5Campsites · South West England
Tarka Holiday Park
Tarka Holiday Park — a campsite in england south west.
📷 5
📷 5Caravan parks · South West England
Chivenor Caravan Park
Chivenor Caravan Park — a caravan park in england south west.
Places to eat & drink
📷 6Historic pubs · South West England
Three Tuns Inn
Three Tuns Inn in England South West, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · South West England
Marshals Public House
Marshals Public House in England South West, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · South West England
Royal Exchange Public House
Royal Exchange Public House in England South West, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · South West England
Cork and Bottle
Cork and Bottle in England South West, United Kingdom.
📷 5
📷 5Restaurants · South West England
Barum Gate
Barum Gate — a restaurant in england south west. Cuisine: british. Brand: Table Table.
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📷 5Historic bridges · South West England
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Avoncliff Aqueduct is a historic bridge in the United Kingdom.
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Avoncliff Aqueduct
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Bradford Viaduct
Bradford Viaduct is a historic bridge in the United Kingdom.
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Chippenham Viaduct
Chippenham Viaduct is a historic bridge in the United Kingdom.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Barnstaple Long Bridge?
- Barnstaple Long Bridge is in Devon, South-West England, United Kingdom (postcode EX32 8LN), in the parish of Barnstaple.
- What is Barnstaple Long Bridge?
- Barnstaple Long Bridge — a Grade I-listed bridge in england-south-west, United Kingdom.
- How do I get to Barnstaple Long Bridge?
- The nearest railway station is Barnstaple, about 0.5 km away. Drivers can use postcode EX32 8LN.
- Who owns Barnstaple Long Bridge?
- Barnstaple Long Bridge is owned by | maint =.
- Is Barnstaple Long Bridge a listed building?
- Barnstaple Long Bridge is officially recognised as Grade I listed.
- Is Barnstaple Long Bridge a protected site?
- Yes — Barnstaple Long Bridge is part of the North Devon National Landscape (AONB).
- Is Barnstaple Long Bridge free to visit?
- Yes, Barnstaple Long Bridge is free to enter.
- How do I get to Barnstaple Long Bridge?
- The nearest railway station is Barnstaple, about 0.5 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode EX32 8LN.