Appledore has a wonderfully unique history. The village is situated at the mouth of the rivers Torridge and Taw in  North Devon, England. Its name appears to be first documented in 1335 under the variation of "Apildare".

Through the centuries the settlement has also been recorded as "Apelder", "Apuldore", "Applethurre", "Appelldore", "Appledoore" and "Apwldwr". Yet, it is the supposed events of 878AD which still attract the schoolchildren's attention. This was when Hubba the Dane, as tradition has it, landed at  Appledore and marched inland to attack Kenwith Castle. Though he barely reached Northam before he was defeated in a  mighty battle at a place which is still known today as Bloody Corner. His grave is said to be nearby, at Hubbastone.

Placed on the estuaries of two rivers which lead into the Bristol Channel, it seems only natural that Appledore has a distinguished maritime history. Whether it was as a port for fishing trawlers, ship builders or a home for sailors. It was supposedly in recognition of the courage of Appledore sailors and ships against the Spanish Armada of 1588 that Queen Elizabeth I made it a free port; a status which remains today. Appledore has now many local people producing Arts & Crafts one of whom, Maggie Curtis, is shown opposite. Maggie has her own Website which is linked from her picture opposite.

Irsha Street

The Quay