Love at the end of the Link Road
Ask anyone in Barnstaple how far it is to Exeter and they will answer in time, not miles, and then tell you about the Link Road. North Devon sits on its own: Exmoor to the east, the Atlantic to the west, and the rest of the county on the far side of a long drive. It is a wonderful place to live and a hard place to meet someone new, because the pool you bump into day to day is small and you already know most of it.
Most national apps treat the whole of Devon as one place and fill your screen with people in Exeter or Plymouth. On Westcountry Singles you can set a radius that stays this side of the moors, and find the people who are actually near you.
Set your search distance by the drive you would really make on a weeknight, not by the map. In North Devon those can be very different things.
Barnstaple, Bideford and the coast
Barnstaple is the hub, at the head of the Taw estuary, and most people from around the area go there for work, shopping or the train to Exeter. Bideford sits on the Torridge a few miles round the coast, with Appledore and Instow facing each other across the water. Up the coast, Braunton is the gateway to Saunton, Croyde and Woolacombe, and Ilfracombe has its harbour and its cliffs. Inland, South Molton looks up to Exmoor, Great Torrington stands above the Torridge valley, and Holsworthy is out towards the Cornish border near Bude.
Singles in North Devon and the rest of the county
A view of members who have chosen a town in Devon. Use your own search to keep it close to home.
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Kate44, 44
Newton Abbot
I’m a 44-year-old woman who values emotional intelligence and meaningful conversations. At 5ft 4, I enjoy health and fitness as well as the occasional night out. I’m not religious but appreciate honesty and openness in a relationship. If you’re looking for something real and enjoy the outdoors, let’s chat.
Say hello -
Dorothy, 38
Alphington
My name is Dorothy and i am 36 years single and have no guy. I am very caring,honest, loyal, faithful amd very easy going lady with so much kindhearted lady..
Say hello -
Daniella, 43
Ashwater
I’m a warm, caring and genuine woman who values honesty, loyalty and good communication. I enjoy meaningful conversations, laughter, simple moments and getting to know someone on a deeper level. I’m open-minded, affectionate and looking forward to meeting someone special who appreciates love, respect and companionship.
Say hello -
Giselle, 39
Alphington
I'm a 39-year-old woman looking for a genuine relationship. I value kindness, consistency, and emotional intelligence, and I enjoy the simple pleasures in life, whether it's a quiet coffee shop or exploring the outdoors. Standing at 5'1", I’m looking for someone who appreciates authenticity and is ready for both deep conversations and relaxed moments together.
Say hello -
Latoya, 38
Alphington
Hardworking Caribbean lady seeking a serious relationship.
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ID verified Caleb, 27
Tavistock
I work in a quarry, big on my music, like going out and doing things but I’m just as happy having a quiet night in with good company. Let’s see where this goes?
Say hello -
Scott, 37
Plymouth
I like to go for walks and find new places. I like to have a laugh and i only social drink.
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Settled singles who love the coast
Barnstaple has one of the bigger groups of members in Devon, and it is older than most. People in their late forties and early fifties are the largest group by a distance, followed by people in their late fifties and sixties, with a good number past retirement and a smaller group in their late thirties and early forties. Bideford is smaller with a similar mix, and there are members in South Molton and Holsworthy too. Nobody in Barnstaple is under thirty-five. If you are in your fifties and have been told North Devon is no place to meet anyone your age, it is worth a look. People over 40 can also try our sister site, Mature Westcountry Singles.
First dates with sand, cliffs or a cycle path
North Devon is made for a first date outdoors. The Tarka Trail follows the old railway along the estuary between Barnstaple, Instow and Bideford, flat enough for an easy walk or cycle with plenty of people about. Bideford's Long Bridge and quay make a good starting point. A walk on Saunton Sands or through the dunes at Braunton Burrows suits a calm day, and Ilfracombe harbour and Capstone Hill are good for an evening. If you both love Exmoor, the Valley of Rocks above Lynton is spectacular, though save the remoter walks for once you know each other. Our first date ideas for the South West have more, and the safety page is worth reading before the day.
Country living, country dating
Much of North Devon is farms and small villages, from the Taw valley to the edge of Exmoor, and long days on the land leave little time for meeting people. Say on your profile what your weeks look like, and let someone who understands it find you. Our country dating page is written for farmers and rural singles.
Places to add to your search
- Barnstaple
- Bideford
- Ilfracombe
- Braunton
- South Molton
- Great Torrington
- Holsworthy
- Appledore
- Instow
- Northam
- Woolacombe
- Combe Martin
- Lynton
- Chulmleigh
North Devon dating questions
Will I only see people in Exeter and Plymouth?
No. Search from your own town and keep the distance tight, and you will see members in Barnstaple, Bideford and the towns around them first.
I live near Holsworthy. Can I include Bude?
Yes. Your search follows distance, not the county line, so members over the border in North Cornwall can appear too.
Other parts of the South West
Devon
The whole county at once.
Exeter
At the far end of the Tarka Line.
Cornwall
Over the border from Holsworthy.
See all our locations, from Penzance to Bristol.
Meet someone on your side of the moor
Create your profile, keep your search close to home and see who lives near you.
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