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 miles11.8 km
- Bideford 1.7 miles2.7 km
- Ilfracombe 11.9 miles19.1 km
Neighbouring places
- Northam Built-up area 0.3 miles0.4 km
- Westward Ho! Built-up area 0.7 miles1.1 km
- Appledore Built-up area 1.2 miles1.9 km
- Bideford North Ward 1.4 miles2.2 km
- Bideford Built-up area 1.7 miles2.7 km
- Bideford West Ward 1.8 miles2.9 km
- Instow Built-up area 2 miles3.2 km
- Abbotsham Built-up area 2.1 miles3.3 km
- Westleigh Parish 2.1 miles3.4 km
- Bideford South Ward 2.5 miles4 km
- Bideford East Ward 2.8 miles4.5 km
- Landcross Parish 3.5 miles5.6 km
Example postcodes in Northam
EX39 1LU, EX39 2QX, EX39 1UE, EX39 1TS, EX39 1RZ, EX39 1GR, EX39 3QE, EX39 1LZ, EX39 1RS … See all
Transport links
- Exeter International Airport 41 miles66 km
- Cardiff Airport 45.2 miles72.7 km
- Barnstaple Railway Station 7.2 miles11.5 km
- Chapelton Railway Station 8.7 miles13.9 km
Hotels near Northam Ad
- The Commodore Hotel 3 1.9 miles3 km
- Seagate 1.5 miles2.4 km
- Hunters Lodge 5.3 miles8.5 km
- The Royal Hotel 1.9 miles3.1 km
- Croyde Bay Hotel Or Self Catering 4 5.9 miles9.6 km
- Saunton Sands Hotel Source Spa and Wellness 4 5.4 miles8.6 km
- Red Lion Hotel 4 8.3 miles13.4 km
- The Barnstaple Hotel 3 7 miles11.2 km
- The Park Hotel 4 7.6 miles12.2 km
- The Imperial Hotel 4 7.4 miles12 km
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 miles5.5 km
- Saunton Sands Beach 4.1 miles6.6 km
- Putsborough Beach Beach 7.3 miles11.7 km
- Mouthmill Beach Beach 9.2 miles14.9 km
- Brownsham Wood Historic site 10.1 miles16.2 km