We've found holiday properties which look nice in both these locations. From what I can see Appledore is smaller, quainter, prettier with small number of restaurants, independent shops etc. Bideford seems more of a "normal" town, larger and perhaps less of a typical holiday destination and less picturesque, less photogenic? Which would you choose to holiday in? Worried we may be a bit disappointed by Bideford, but accommodation is cheaper there! We're 2 adults and a teen and will certainly do some days out by car round the area but also want to spend some time in our base location.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Both are holiday /second home destinations, but you are right to say that Bideford is larger.
Both have photogenic spots, but the ship building yards to the south of Appledore are tatty (some may say this makes good photos). I wouldn’t say Bideford is disappointing - a teenager maybe bored in Appledore, depending on their interests, as there’s not much to do. The village centre has some charm.
If you are in Appledore, you will have to pass near to Bideford whenever you go anywhere. I found nearby Westward Ho! to be a disappointment. It was dead during the week and we couldn’t get parked at the weekend as it was very busy.
On balance, I would pick Bideford.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks very much for your reply. The main thing my daughter wants to do is surf and paddle board, which I realise will be a drive away wherever we stay. But we went to St Ives last year and loved the atmosphere and colourful little windy streets with interesting shops, restaurants etc. and I guess Appledore seemed more similar to that. But I'd be happy with Bideford as long as it had a few pretty little streets and interesting shops. Just don't want to end up somewhere whose high street could basically be any town in England! Thanks for your views.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
1834 posts
Appledore will be much more like St Ives, with its narrow streets and brightly painted houses. However, there are many fewer shops.
Bideford is larger, more shops (many still family owned) and some ‘quaint’ streets.
It may help to read the following reviews with pictures.
Bideford
https://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/review/place/197807-review-bideford
Appledore
https://www.silvertraveladvisor.com/travel-product/place/197894-appledore
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Both Appledore and Bideford are likely to seem dull in comparison to St Ives - neither has the same buzz and aren’t as “cool”.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks for all the replies. There are clearly plus and minus points for both locations but after much discussion in the end we've plumped for Appledore but may go to Bideford for a day, along with some of the other suggested locations. Thanks again!