Living in Northam

Living in Northam

Northam is a well-established North Devon village-town sitting on a ridge above the Torridge Estuary, with the Atlantic coast just a short walk away. It has a genuine community feel — neither a holiday resort nor a dormitory settlement, but a lived-in place with its own shops, schools and social fabric. The neighbouring beach resort of Westward Ho! merges almost seamlessly with Northam and gives residents immediate access to one of North Devon's longest stretches of golden sand, along with a pebble ridge that backs onto the protected grassland of Northam Burrows. Families, retirees and young professionals are all drawn here by the combination of outstanding natural surroundings and everyday practicality — a balance that is surprisingly hard to find on this stretch of coastline.

Schools and education

Families with younger children are well served by Northam Community Primary School, a local primary with strong community ties. Westward Ho! also has its own primary provision, giving parents a degree of choice at that stage. For secondary education, most pupils move into Bideford, roughly two miles away, where Bideford College is the main state secondary and sixth form, offering a broad curriculum through to A level. Independent and grammar options are available further afield in Barnstaple and Exeter for families who want to explore alternatives. The proximity to the college means secondary-age children can travel independently with relative ease.

Transport and connectivity

Northam and Westward Ho! are served by regular bus routes linking the area to Bideford and onward to Barnstaple, which is the main regional hub for North Devon. Barnstaple has its own rail station on the Tarka Line, connecting to Exeter in around an hour and a half — a scenic if leisurely journey. For faster road travel, the A39 is the principal arterial route, running through Bideford and heading south-east toward the M5 at Barnstaple or continuing to Exeter. Exeter itself, with its motorway connections, airport and main-line rail services to London Paddington, is roughly an hour's drive in normal conditions. Day-to-day life in Northam is largely car-dependent, as is typical of rural North Devon, so most households will find a vehicle essential.