Instow

Instow
Devon
Instow, seen from Appledore
Location
Grid reference:	SS472302
Location:	51°3’6"N, 4°10’51"W
Data
Post town:	Bideford
Postcode:	EX39
Local Government
Council:	North Devon

Instow is a little village in the north of Devon, on the estuary where the rivers Taw and Torridge meet. It may be found between the villages of Westleigh and Yelland and on the opposite bank of Appledore.

There is a small river beach here, and sand dunes, that provide a home for some rare species of orchid including the pyramid orchid.

The Tarka Trail passes through Instow, providing an easy route through north Devon on foot or by bicycle. This section of the Trail is also part of the South West Coast Path.

Instow Beach

Instow Beach

Instow Beach, also known as Instow Sands, is used widely during summer months at the peak of the tourist season. The beach is suitable for families as it enjoys few waves because the sandbanks at the mouth of the estuary suppress most of the ocean swell upriver.

Many boats may be seen anchored on the river off the sands, waiting for their owners to row out in a tender to weigh anchor and loose the sails.

Windsurfing and kite surfing have become popular, taking advantage of the open position and calm waters. Canoeing and kayaking in the rivers to Instow beach is also popular.

Wide view of Instow Beach

Arromanches Camp

Near the village is Arromanches Camp which is operated by the Royal Marines; the main unit which uses the camp is No. 11 (Amphibious Trials and Training) Squadron.

Instow Railway Station

Instow Signal Box

The railway line through Instow opened from Barnstaple to Fremington in 1848, and then passenger trains ran from Barnstaple to Bideford from 2 November 1855 after the Bideford Extension Railway. The line was further extended to Torrington in 1872. Passenger services ceased on 2 October 1965 although ball clay traffic continued until 1982. The track was finally removed in 1985.

Remaining through at Instow is a railway signal box, which is over 130 years old and was Britain's first Grade II listed signal box. It used to control the signals at Instow Station and also the operation of the level crossing. The wheel that operated the gates Is still here in the box, and the signal levers, one of which still operates a signal. It is opened to visitors to learn how the box worked. In 2003 the box was nationally recognised for its restoration and educational value by receiving the Carillion Rail Award at the National Railway Heritage Awards. The signal box is now managed and run by volunteers of the Bideford Railway Heritage Centre and is open to the public on occasional Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Ferry service

During summer a ferry service operates across the Torridge estuary from Instow Quay to Appledore slipway. The service runs two hours either side of high tide. Aimed both at locals and users of the Tarka Trail / South West Coast Path this has been operated in recent times as a not-for-profit service on days when water levels in the estuary have been high enough.

In literature

Instow features prominently in the 1919 novel Last of the Grenvilles by Frederick Harcourt Kitchin (under his pseudonym, Bennett Copplestone)

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Instow)

• North Devon Yacht Club