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Appledore, on the North coast of Devon, where the River Torridge & River Taw meet the Atlantic. Appledore has been a thriving port since it was settled by the Cistercian monks in the 14th Century and before that, the Anglo-Saxons fished from its shores.
Appledore is full of history, with watch towers, look-outs, a smugglers tunnel, fishermen's cottages, captains' houses and a quay overlooking the meeting point of the two rivers. Away from the quay the narrow streets, hidden lanes and cobbled courtyards preserve the intriguing history and transport the imagination back through the centuries.
Probably the oldest existing building in Appledore is Docton House which was built by the monks and occupied by them until about 1540. It is thought to have been a “rest house” for pilgrims on the way to Hartland Abbey. The area"s maritime history is well documented and preserved in the North Devon Maritime Museum in Odun Road at the top of the village.
Mostly a conservation area, Appledore is close to the South West Coast Path and beautiful safe beaches for surfing, swimming and sandcastles. Also, nearby is the Northam Burrows Country Park, home to the oldest 18 hole links golf course in England.
To get to Appledore from London, the Midlands and the rest of the UK take the M5 into Devon. Leave the M5 at Junction 27 and take the A361 (North Devon Link Road) to Barnstaple.
Approaching Barnstaple remain on the North Devon Link Road and head for Bideford (Bude). Directly after crossing the New Torridge Bridge take the right turn on the roundabout and Appledore is signposted from here.
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