Transport Travel Guide 

The north Devon region is easily accessible from all directions by road, rail, air and sea.

To fly to north Devon the closest airport to the region is to be found at Plymouth, approximately 60 miles from Barnstaple. There are currently four flights a day from London's Gatwick Airport, with connections from all over the world.

There are no ferries entering the region itself but the port at Plymouth provides the best means of accessing the area by sea. Plymouth Port on the south coast, some 63 miles away, receives regular crossings from both France and Spain. The south Wales port of Swansea is approximately 165 miles by road, around the Bristol Channel, from where crossings into Ireland can be made.

To travel by rail to the area, the Bristol to Penzance mainline runs along Cornwall and Devon's southern coastline through Exeter. A branchline runs from the south coast to north coast, through Eggesford, on to Barnstaple.

To drive to Barnstaple the A361, passing South Molton along the way, leaves Junction 27 of the M5 close to Tiverton. The A361 continues past Barnstaple offering a route to northern coastal towns within the region, including Woolacombe, Ilfracombe and Lynton. The A39 travels west along the northern coastline towards Lynton and ultimately to Penzance in Cornwalls southern tip. The A377 runs from South to North Coast, between Exeter and Barnstaple, passing through Crediton en route.