|
Bideford Devon CAM
Below are the photos currently available. All images are available in larger versions. This site is updated often so please check back soon.
1 2 Next Page >>
Enlarge
|
Charles Kingsley
Place: Bideford
Category: Historic
Please select a size: 800x600 - 1024x768
About: Statue to the famous author Charles Kingsley at Bideford. In 1863 Kingsley published his most famous book, The Water Babies. Written for his youngest son, this book tells the story of a young chimney-sweep, who runs away from his brutal employer. In ......
Photograph Added: 14th November 2005
|
1 2 Next Page >>
View area map / aerial photograph.
About Bideford Devon.
Bideford in North Devon has often been referred to as the "Little White Town" this phrase is attributed to the Victorian novelist Charles Kingsley who described the town as "the Little White town which slopes upwards from its broad river tide." The river in question is the River Torridge and at one time this river helped to make Bideford the third busiest port in Britain. The first mention in the history books of the Quay at Bideford was in 1619 when there were apparently beaches at the river's edge. The ship-building trade in the area was at one time very successful so the Quay was developed and there are marker stones in the pavement to show the reconstruction that took place. Sir Walter Raleigh is accredited with bringing his first cargo of tobacco to Bideford and the town is reported to have become one of the largest tobacco trading centres of that time. This lucrative trade came to an abrupt end when the American War of Independence cut off the supplies of tobacco.
A favourite journey from Bideford, is aboard the MS Oldenburg, sailing to Lundy Island which is a marvellous place for walking, climbing, diving, fishing, snorkelling, photography, painting and a haven for twitichers (birdwatchers). The island is owned by the National Trust and is approximately three miles long and only half a mile wide nevertheless it boasts three lighthouses a medieval castle and a pub. The M.S. Oldenburg can carry 267 passengers and has on board a bar, buffet, shop and information centre. The bar offers a wide range of drinks and a relaxing atmosphere, whilst hot and cold food is provided at the buffet.
The Long Bridge at Bideford was built in 1280 by Sir Theobald Grenville to cross the River Torridge. It is a magnificent structure with 24 arches. Originally the bridge was built of oak it was 670 feet long and the massive unequal sized oak lintels created a series of irregular arches. It has been suggested that the oak timbers were paid for by different parishes and the more affluent the parish the longer the timber. Whatever the reason for the design the irregularity of the arches was kept when the bridge was rebuilt of stone in about 1460 and even when the bridge was widened in 1920 the peculiar arches were still retained in their original format. To relieve some of the traffic congestion another bridge was built, in 1987, just over a mile downstream.
Henry III granted Bideford its Market Charter in 1272 and since 1883 there has been a market held every Tuesday and Saturday in the splendid Pannier Market building. This complex was built by John Chudleigh of Exeter and it was officially opened by Mayor G.W Vincent in April 1884. To mark the occasion the opening ceremony was followed by a communal dinner with almost 200 local people. The day was rounded off with a promenade concert and later that week 2000 children assembled at the Market for a tea party.
New Year in Bideford is a very colourful affair with thousands of people wearing fancy dress of every description and there is no end to the variety of costumes that people create, grown men wear nappies and loose their senses at the packed local Inns. There is dancing in the streets and everyone has a great time. When Midnight approaches the revellers meet at Bideford Long Bridge waiting for the Parish Church Bells to ring in the New Year.
Bideford has a lot to offer the tourist and is an ideal place to use as a base to sample the delights of North Devon
|
