Barnstaple

Barnstaple, a town of Devonshire, on the right bank of the tidal Taw, 6 miles from its mouth, and 39½ NW. of Exeter by rail. The Taw is here crossed by a 13th-century bridge of 16 arches, which in 1834 was widened by iron-work on either side. Owing to the silting up of the river and harbour, much of the trade of Barnstaple has been transferred to Bideford. It has manufactures of lace and pottery. Barnstaple has existed since the reign of Athelstan, who built a castle here. The poet Gay was educated at the grammar-school, a pre-Reformation chapel. The parish church is of 14th-century date; and there are a town-hall (1855), an Albert memorial tower (1863), &c. Till 1885 Barnstaple returned two members to parliament. Pop. (1861) 10,743; (1881) 12,282; (1891) 13,058.