Local area guide
Living in Bideford
Around The Pastures Bideford by Linden Homes · Devon
The schools, transport, shops and green spaces that shape day-to-day life — plus local trades who already work in Bideford.
Area at a glance
Bideford, at a glance
Schools, transport, what’s nearby — written for new-build buyers settling in.
Living in Bideford
Known as the 'Little White Town', Bideford is one of North Devon's most characterful market towns, its historic quayside buildings reflected in the waters of the River Torridge. The medieval Long Bridge, which has spanned the river for centuries, remains the town's most recognisable landmark and a fitting symbol of a place that takes its heritage seriously without being defined by it. Bideford combines the warmth of a close-knit community — marked by regular festivals and events throughout the year — with the everyday convenience modern families and professionals need. It is the kind of town where independent traders still thrive alongside familiar supermarkets, where the coastline is genuinely close rather than aspirationally so, and where the pace of life feels genuinely different from larger urban centres further east.
Schools and education
Families are well served across all age groups. At secondary level, Bideford College is the town's principal option and draws pupils from across the surrounding area. Primary provision is broad, with several well-regarded schools in and around the town including East-the-Water Community Primary School, Abbotsham C of E Primary School, Park Primary, and Westcroft School. The range and proximity of these schools makes Bideford a practical as well as appealing choice for families with children at different stages of their education.
Transport and connectivity
Bideford sits on the A39 Atlantic Highway, which provides the main road corridor into Barnstaple — roughly eight miles to the east — and onwards to the M5 motorway. For those travelling by rail, Barnstaple railway station offers connections to Exeter, from where the national network opens up. Within the local area, regular bus services link Bideford to Barnstaple and surrounding villages, making the town accessible even without a car for day-to-day journeys. As with much of North Devon, a car remains useful for exploring the wider region, but the core transport connections are solid for a town of this size.
Nearby essentials
What’s within reach
Straight-line distance from The Pastures Bideford to the nearest of each.
Nearest supermarket
ALDI
0.2mi
straight line
Nearest GP surgery
Dr Glenys Knight MBChB, MRCGP
1.5mi
straight line
Nearest primary school
St Helens C Of E Primary School
Local trades
Looking for a trade in Bideford?
No approved trades cover Bideford yet — post your project to invite quotes from trades who do.
Vetted local trades, on tap
Post one job, hear from the trades who cover Bideford
No spam, no chasing. Tell us what you need — painting, blinds, gardens, carpentry — and approved trades whose coverage area includes The Pastures Bideford will quote. Insurance-checked, new-build specialists where available, and you pick who to talk to.