Guide To The Best Pubs in Bideford (2023)

Bideford is a historic port town located in the United Kingdom, and its pubs have played an essential role in its social and economic life.

The town’s pub scene is vibrant and caters to various occasions, including romantic dates, nights out with friends, family-friendly, dog-friendly, and pubs with a view.

Over time, pubs in Bideford have evolved to cater to changing tastes and lifestyles.

This article will provide you with a brief history of the town’s pubs, along with a list of the top 5 best pubs in Bideford for locals and tourists.

Key Takeaways
Bideford has a rich history of pubs that played an important role in social and economic life.
Pubs in Bideford have evolved to cater to changing tastes and lifestyles, offering a range of drinks, food, and entertainment.
The Joiners Arms, The Thatched Inn, The Palladium Club, The Royal Hotel, and The Champ are some of the best pubs in Bideford.
Bideford’s pubs cater to different occasions, such as romantic dates, nights out with friends, family-friendly, dog-friendly, and pubs with a view.
Visitors to Bideford can enjoy the town’s welcoming pubs, local ale, and delicious food while learning about its rich history and culture.

A Brief History of Pubs in Bideford

Bideford’s history is rich when it comes to pubs. Some of the oldest pubs in Bideford, like the Kings Arms and the Globe Inn, date back to the 17th century.

Pubs played an important role in the social and economic life of the town, and in the 19th century, the advent of the railway brought new visitors to the town, and many pubs expanded to offer accommodation to travellers.

The early 20th century was a period of significant change, and the temperance movement had a significant impact on pub culture.

Many traditional pubs began to offer non-alcoholic drinks and food to attract families and non-drinkers.

In recent years, Bideford’s pub scene has continued to evolve, with many pubs now offering a wide range of local beer and food, as well as entertainment such as live music events and sports events.

Despite these changes, many of Bideford’s pubs have retained their historic charm and character.

Visitors to Bideford can enjoy a pint of local ale or a delicious meal in one of the town’s many welcoming pubs while learning about the town’s rich history and culture.

Some of the most notable Bideford pubs today include the Joiners Arms, The Palladium Club, and The Thatched Inn.

Despite these changes, many of Bideford’s pubs have retained their historic charm and character.

The Top 5 Pubs in Bideford

Bideford has a vibrant pub scene, and here are the top 5 trendy pubs in Bideford:

The Joiners Arms

Located on Market Street, The Joiners Arms is a cosy and friendly traditional pub with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. They offer a great selection of local ales and ciders, as well as delicious pub grub. The pub also hosts regular live music events and quizzes.

The Thatched Inn

Situated in Abbotsham, just outside of Bideford, The Thatched Inn is a charming 17th-century pub with a thatched roof and beautiful gardens. The pub serves a great range of local beers and non-alcoholic drinks like ciders, as well as tasty food made with local ingredients.

The Palladium Club

The Palladium Club is a live music venue and bar located on Lower Gunstone in Bideford. The pub hosts regular live music events, including blues, jazz, and rock. It also has a great selection of drinks and a friendly atmosphere.

The Royal Hotel

This pub is located in the centre of Appledore’s old back streets. It has a bar in the middle of the ground floor, surrounded by ample seating for drinking. Upstairs, there’s a separate pool room accessible via steps. The pub is conveniently located across from the Royal Plaice fish and chip shop, allowing customers to purchase food to enjoy on the premises.

The Champ

A cosy and quirky evening pub, a brewery tap for nearby Clearwater Brewery and where up to four of the ales are generally available. The Champ is known for its live music which features regularly on Fridays and Saturdays, with open-mic evenings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Customers can bring food for consumption on the premises and the nearby public car park accommodates vans overnights for a fair rate.

All of these pubs have their own unique character and atmosphere and are popular with locals and tourists. Whether you’re looking for a traditional pub, a live music venue, or a sports bar, Bideford has something to offer.

Pubs for Different Occasions

Whether you’re looking for a cosy spot for a romantic date, a lively venue for a night out with friends, or a family-friendly pub, Bideford has plenty of options to choose from.

Here are some suggestions for pubs for different occasions:

Romantic Pubs

Seagate Hotel

A beautiful 17th-century hotel located on Bideford Quay. The hotel’s bar area has a cosy and romantic atmosphere, with candlelit tables and a great selection of wines and cocktails.

If you are looking for romantic pubs for a date, Seagate Hotel is an ideal place.

The Farmers Arms

The historic pub has a romantic atmosphere, with low ceilings, wooden beams and a fireplace. They also offer a range of local ales and ciders, as well as a menu of classic pub dishes.

Nightlife in Bideford

Palladium Club

A great place for a nightlife with friends. The pub has a lively atmosphere and hosts regular live music events, as well as offering a great selection of drinks. You can surely enjoy the nightlife in Bideford with your friends in this pub.

Anchor Inn

The traditional pub has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. With a log fire in the winter and a beer garden during the summer season. They offer a range of beers, wines and spirits, as well as a menu of pub classics.

Family-Friendly Pubs

The Thatched Inn is a family-friendly pub located in Abbotsham, just outside of Bideford. The pub has a large beer garden and children’s play area, as well as serving tasty food made with locally sourced ingredients.

The Westleigh Inn

Another one of the family-friendly pubs that has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with a children’s menu and a garden area. They offer a range of local ales and ciders, as well as a menu of seasonal British food.

Dog-Friendly Pubs

Joiners Arms

One of the dog-friendly pubs in Bideford that is located on Market Street in Bideford. The pub has a friendly atmosphere and serves a great selection of local beers and ciders, as well as tasty food.

The Royal George

A historic pub where they allow your dogs in their bar and has a cosy atmosphere. They offer a range of beers, wines, and spirits, as well as a menu of classic pub dishes. If you are looking for a dog-friendly pubs, the Royal George is one of the best place.

Pub with a View

The Royal Hotel is a great option if you’re looking for a pub with a view. The hotel’s bar and restaurant offer panoramic views of the River Torridge, and the pub serves a range of local ales and ciders. It is also considered as one of the tourist attractions in Bideford.

No matter what occasion you’re celebrating, Bideford has a pub to suit your needs. From cosy romantic spots to lively venues for a night out, you’re sure to find a great pub to enjoy in Bideford.

Pub Crawls and Walking Tours

Bideford is the perfect destination for a pub crawl or walking tour, with plenty of historic buildings and also historic pubs to explore and stunning scenery to enjoy.

Here are a few suggested routes:

The Old Town Pub Crawl

This pub crawl takes visitors on a tour of Bideford’s historic old town. Start at The Kings Arms, a traditional pub dating back to the 16th century, before heading to The Champ, a popular local pub with a great selection of real ales.

The route also includes The Globe, a charming pub with a large beer garden.

The Quay Pub Crawl

This pub crawl takes visitors along Bideford Quay, with stunning views of the River Torridge. Start at The Seagate Hotel, a beautiful 17th-century hotel with a cosy bar area, before heading to The Blacksmith’s Arms, a charming pub with a great selection of local beers.

The route also includes The Thatched Inn in nearby Abbotsham, and The Royal Hotel, a historic hotel with a bar and restaurant overlooking the river.

The History and Heritage Walking Tour

This walking tour takes visitors on a journey through Bideford’s rich history and heritage. Start at The Burton Art Gallery and Museum, which houses a fascinating collection of art and pieces from the area’s past, before heading to The Kings Arms, The Champ, and The Globe, all of which have interesting histories to explore.

The route also includes a stroll along Bideford Quay, where visitors can see the historic Long Bridge and Bideford’s famous statue of Charles Kingsley, the author of “The Water Babies.”

No matter which routes visitors choose, they are sure to have a great time exploring Bideford’s historic pubs and cultural landmarks.

And Finally

Bideford’s pubs cater to all tastes and preferences, from traditional to trendy. Many of the pubs are located in historic buildings, adding to their appeal.

A list of the top 5 pubs in Bideford, each with its own unique character and atmosphere, is provided, along with recommendations for different occasions. 

Whether for romantic dates, nights out with friends, family-friendly outings, dog-friendly venues, or scenic views, Bideford’s pubs have something for everyone to enjoy.

What are you waiting for? come and explore Bideford’s vibrant pub scene today!

FAQs about Pubs in Bideford

Q: What is Bideford known for?
A: Bideford is known for its stunning scenery, lively community, and diverse range of pubs. The town has a rich history dating back to the 10th century.

Q: What is the history of pubs in Bideford?
A: Pubs have played an important role in the social and economic life of Bideford since medieval times. The town’s pub scene has continued to evolve, with many pubs now offering a wide range of drinks and food, as well as entertainment such as live music and sports events.

Q: What are the top 5 pubs in Bideford?
A: The top 5 pubs in Bideford are The Joiners Arms, The Thatched Inn, The Palladium Club, The Royal Hotel, and The Champ. Each pub has its own unique character and atmosphere, and all are popular with locals and visitors.

Q: What are some pubs in Bideford for different occasions?
A: Some suggestions for pubs for different occasions include: The Seagate Hotel for a romantic date, The Palladium Club for a night out with friends, The Thatched Inn for a family-friendly pub, The Joiners Arms for a dog-friendly pub, and The Royal Hotel for a pub with a view.