Barnstaple Castle Barnstaple Castle Barnstaple Castle stood near what is now the centre of the town of Barnstaple, Devon (). When it was built, it was on the western side of the fortified town and commanded a good view of both the town and its important river crossings. A wooden castle was built by Geoffrey de Mowbray, Bishop of Coutances in the 11th century, clearing houses to make room for it. Juhel of Totnes (Judhael) later lived in the castle and established a priory just outside its walls. The castle's first stone buildings were probably erected by Henry de Tracey, a strong
Barnstaple Victoria Road railway station was converted to standard gauge in 1881. A line was opened on 1 June 1887 from the D&SR station to the London and South Western Railway's Barnstaple Junction railway station, enabling trains from London and Taunton reverse at Barnstaple then continue on to . On 1 July 1905 a chord was opened between the two lines (thus forming a triangular junction) which enabled direct running from the Taunton line into Barnstaple Junction. This new line was mainly used on summer Saturdays; at other times through trains on the Ilfracombe line continued to reverse at the station. From 1 January 1948