Northam sits on the estuary of the River Torridge in Torridge, Devon, England. Its coastline takes in the long sandy beach of Westward Ho! and the open salt‑marsh and dune system of Northam Burrows, a designated wildlife-rich area popular with birdwatchers and walkers following the South West Coast Path. The Victorian novel that lent its name to Westward Ho! is a local curiosity, while the parish’s maritime links are reflected by nearby shipbuilding at Appledore and a long history of coastal recreation.
These days the local economy depends largely on tourism, watersports and small-scale fishing, with surfing, promenading and the historic fairways of the Royal North Devon Golf Club bringing visitors. Many residents commute to Bideford and Barnstaple, and the community mixes holiday homes and traditional cottages with active conservation groups and seasonal events that celebrate the coast and countryside.
Postcode districts covering Northam
Most populated places nearby
- Barnstaple 7.3 miles
- Bideford 1.7 miles
- Ilfracombe 11.9 miles
Neighbouring places
- Northam Built-up area 0.3 miles
- Westward Ho! Built-up area 0.7 miles
- Appledore Built-up area 1.2 miles
- Bideford North Ward 1.4 miles
- Bideford Built-up area 1.7 miles
- Bideford West Ward 1.8 miles
- Instow Built-up area 2 miles
- Abbotsham Built-up area 2.1 miles
- Westleigh Parish 2.1 miles
- Bideford South Ward 2.5 miles
- Bideford East Ward 2.8 miles
- Landcross Parish 3.5 miles
Example postcodes in Northam
EX39 2BZ, EX39 2RR, EX39 1UY, EX39 1ET, EX39 1PF, EX39 1JJ, EX39 1ER, EX39 1LG, EX39 1GL … See all
Transport links
- Exeter International Airport 41 miles
- Cardiff Airport 45.2 miles
- Barnstaple Railway Station 7.2 miles
- Chapelton Railway Station 8.7 miles
Hotels near Northam Ad
- The Commodore Hotel 3 1.9 miles
- Seagate 1.5 miles
- Hunters Lodge 5.3 miles
- The Royal Hotel 3 1.9 miles
- Saunton Sands Hotel Source Spa and Wellness 4 5.4 miles
- Red Lion Hotel 4 8.3 miles
- Durrant House Hotel 3 0.6 miles
- The Barnstaple Hotel 3 7 miles
- The Park Hotel 4 7.6 miles
- The Imperial Hotel 4 7.4 miles
Schools in Northam
- Appledore School Primary
- St George's C of E Infant and Nursery School Primary
- St Margaret's C of E Junior School Primary
- St Mary's C of E Primary School Primary
Local points of interest
- Braunton Burrows Hill 3.4 miles
- Saunton Sands Beach 4.1 miles
- Putsborough Beach Beach 7.3 miles
- Mouthmill Beach Beach 9.2 miles
- Brownsham Wood Historic site 10.1 miles