Barnstaple's main `square' was a traffic roundabout, pedestrianised in 2007 when a new road bridge was opened some half-mile down-river from the old bridge. In the centre is the Albert memorial clock tower and in spring a wonderful colourful display is provided.

The town is an excellent base to explore the north Devon coast. The town has many long-established shops and has not suffered development blight as badly as many other English towns did in the 60s and 70s. It boasts the indoor Pannier market and Butcher's Row--a street which still has independent establishments, some still butchers.