Bideford is a fascinating and pleasant old town which has successfully retained its old world character. Once it was the third busiest port in the land with the New World. Tradition says it was on Bideford Quay that Sir Walter Raleigh unloaded his first cargo of tobacco. Nowadays the tree-lined Quay is mostly used for car parking, but there is usually some activity to add interest to the scene.

Although a new bridge was built to bypass the town of Bideford, the old 24 arch stone bridge built originally in 1535 can still be crossed by following the old road.

As the centre of an agricultural area Bideford has always been an important market town. The Pannier Market at the top of town comes to life on Tuesday and Saturday when stalls selling every kind of ware are vying for your attention - and custom. On non-market days the area is still lively with Butchers Row and the Market Place shops.

It is called a Pannier Market after the Wicker baskets or panniers in which farmers wives carried their wares to market. The complex has been in operation since it was built by John Chudleigh of Exeter in 1883/84 and was officially opened by the then Mayor G.W Vincent in April 1884 and has remained a centre for local trade to this day.

The Victorian novelist Charles Kingsley described Bideford as "The Little White Town which slopes upward from its broad river tide". Kingsley's statue, located adjacent to the Tourist Information Centre, serves as a permanent reminder of this famous resident and the time he spent here writing part of his well-known novel Westward Ho!

Convenient for the town, The Riversford Hotel is a beautifully situated hotel with stunning views over the River Torridge. Most of the en-suite rooms overlook the river and they also have suites and four-poster rooms available.

The river view restaurant serves locally produced foods, seafood being a speciality. Lunchtime and evening menus are available as well as morning coffee and afternoon teas. Riversford is ideally situated for the areas local attractions such as the quaint fishing village of Appledore and the never changing beauty of Clovelly.

Come rain or shine, Merry Harriers Nursery is well worth a visit, with tranquil gardens, a restaurant and a large Craft shop selling locally produced items, it has something for everyone. Nestled in a hollow amidst the beautiful North Devon Countryside, it is a little bit of heaven tucked away from the hustle and bustle.

The Nursery is a hive of activity with something different always happening, the potting of plants, dividing perennials or just good old traditional hands on in the garden. The Nursery and plant sales area is all undercover, with the majority of plants being grown on site. There is always lots going on and plenty to see, and our cheerful, friendly staff are always on hand to help.

The Gem within the Nursery is the Mad Hatters Restaurant, full of local memorabilia and over looking the lake. This is an ideal place to relax and enjoy morning teas, coffees, lunches or afternoon tea and cakes. The Restaurant is World Famous for its Traditional Cream Teas and Home-made Bread Pudding.

The Nursery is located just off the A39 between Bideford and Clovelly at Bucks Cross towards Woolfardisworthy, and is clearly sign posted with brown tourist board signs.