Directions to Off-Grid 2018
at Tapeley Park and Gardens, Instow, North Devon
Located in the parish of Westleigh, Tapeley Park sits high on a hill overlooking the River Torridge and the North Devon coastline. Home to the Christie family for two centuries, Hector Christie is the current custodian of the estate.
Sustainability is a key theme on the Tapeley Park estate. Over the years, Hector has given a home to ideas, people and projects that explore the sustainability theme and, alongside the permaculture garden, other projects that can be viewed at Tapeley Park include the straw bale house. The estate is also pesticide free.
Gate entry times for the event are as follows unless otherwise arranged:-
- Thursday 9th August: 1400 – 2100hrs
- Friday 10th August: 0900 – 2100hrs
- Saturday 11th August: 0900 – 2100hrs
- Sunday 12th August: 0900 – 1600hrs
Note: Festival gates open at 1400hrs on Thursday 9th August. Anybody arriving before this point will be turned away.
Cycling: If you wish to cycle to the event check out the Sustrans map page (http://www.sustrans.org.uk/), entering EX39 4NT in the ‘Search Our Mapping’ box.
We’re really keen to encourage cycling, so please note that anybody arriving by bike will be rewarded with a free drinks token upon arrival! A bicycle lock-up will be provided for your use.
Cycling Directions:
This is a cycle path so only a tiny bit on the road:
As you come out of Barnstaple train station you go left – Away from Tesco (of course!) – and onto a bike path to cross A361. You’re heading towards the National Cycle Network. After you cross A361 the path splits and you stay on the right. That crosses the A3125 to get you onto South West Coast Path where you turn left. Once on this you’re pretty much sorted, you carry on (about half an hour). After you come out of major civilisation (last land-mark is the North Devon Yaght Park on your right) you will pass Tapeley park on your left after about 5-10′ but you need to carry on until you find a little opening on the left and you make a U turn to get on B3233 where of course you turn left (northbound). Stay on B3233 for 2-5 mins until you see the entrance of Tapeley Park on your right (nice Green sign!)and go through the gate.
Then follow the fairies of sustainability and they will take you straight to your Free Drink Voucher ;-).
The map reckons about 42 mins for the whole route.
Ps If you have reached Westleigh Inn you’ve turned right too soon. Go back and carry on north on B3233
This is the non cycle path:
As you come out of Barnstaple train station you go left – Away from Tesco (of course!) – and onto a bike path to cross A361. After you cross A361 the path splits and you stay on the left. then you turn right on Sticklepath Hill unti you reach A3125 where you turn left. Then take the second exit on the small roundabout onto Bickington Road. Then second exist on the second small roundabout. Then you stay on this road which eventually becomes b3233 and you will find Tapeley park on your left after about 20-30′(nice Green sign!)and go through the gate.
The map estimates 40 mins for this route.
Ps If you have reached Westleigh Inn you’ve turned left too late. Go back and carry on north on B3233.
Public Transport:
Train- The nearest train station is ‘Barnstaple’. You can get a bus to Tapeley Park from outside the station.
Bus- Bus routes 21/21a and 5b will take you to the bottom of the drive.
For public transport details to Instow please look at https://www.journeydevon.info/
Driving to the site:
Tapeley Park is located between Bideford and Barnstaple, near the village of Instow. You can follow brown tourist signs from the A39 onto the B3233 (and should be wary of following Sat Nav directions as this will take you to the wrong place nearby).Although in the parish of Westleigh, the Tapeley turning is just beyond the road to the village, a right turn to Tapeley Park (coming from Bideford direction). There is a local bus stop near to the bottom of the drive and the estate can also be accessed via the Tarka Trail cycle path.
If you are driving from the local area please be considerate and avoid taking shortcuts through local towns and villages, we would like to avoid causing disruption and congestion to local people.
Meeting point: At the top of the drive and past the Permaculture garden where you will be greeted by our friendly Gate Team.
Drop-offs: Those being dropped off in taxi or car will need to do so at the Car Park at the entrance to the festival site
Car Share: Please share cars with your mates. You can do this through a car sharing website or via our Facebook Event Page, remember this is a green event!