East
-the-
Water
Amenities in East-the-Water
For school, community centre, and church, see the Community
page. Other amenities provided for within the community are:
- doctor's surgery, with on-site pharmacy - the Wooda Surgery (+ Lloyds Chemist);
- grocery stores - TESCO supermarket on Manteo Way, a Best One convenience store at Barton Tors (twice rated nationally as in the top 100 convenience stores);
- places to eat or drink:
- The Royal Hotel; (traditional hotel);
- Pollyfield Community Centre (bar with limited opening and periodic community lunches)
- Bideford Railway Heritage Centre on the old railway station site (seasonal opening)
- The Blacksmith's Arms on Torrington Street
- take-away food - Silverbridge House (Chinese), and East of the Water (Chinese) on Barnstaple Street;
- hotel - The Royal Hotel;
- vet - Witten Park Vets have a branch on the Alverdiscot Industrial Estate;
- post - there is a small Post Office at Barton Tors (usually less busy than Bideford’s main one, but check opening hours);
- leisure equipment hire - Bideford Cycle, Surf and Kayak Hire;
- car servicing - Bideford Auto Services Ltd, JK Auto Tek, Warmingtons Garage;
- allotments - behind Pollyfield, provided by Bideford Town Council;
- building and agricultural supplies - Jewson, Tamar Trading, DP Farm and Country Stores;
- car parks - Clarence Wharf pay-and-display in Barnstaple Street. Likely to close at some point in 2023, whilst the site is redeveloped, but the planned development includes reinstating some public parking), additional parking is available across the river;
- bus - the community lies on the North Devon Wave's route (Stagecoach 21/21A), providing very regular services between Westward Ho! and Ilfracombe via Barnstaple, and is also served by the 15A and 15C, (see timetables on bustimes.org, or plan a journey at Stagecoach South West);
- taxis - MR & MRS Taxi, Wes Taxis, Alpha Cars, Prouse Taxis (find their numbers on TaxiRegister);
- Stepping Stones provide preschool care
- Social media - East-the-Water's Facebook page.
A wide range of additional amenities are available on the western
bank of the river, just a short hop across the ancient Long Bridge,
including:
- Bideford Library;
- the Burton Arts Centre and museum;
- a regular Farmer's Market;
- the Pannier Market;
- the Affinity Devon shopping centre retail park;
- a swimming pool (Torridge Pool);
- additional schools (Kingsley School, Bideford College);
- several dentists (see NHS site's "Find A Dentist" page to search for a list);
- numerous shops, mostly on the Quay, in Mill Street, around the Pannier Market, and in the High Street.
Among the other amenities lying within a reasonable distance of the community are:
- rail link - nearest station is in Barnstaple (9.6 miles), with bus connection;
- major road link - easy access to the North Devon Link Road, which eventually connects with the M5.