Barnstaple RFC period they also became one of the top club sides in Devon winning five county cups in this period, including four in a row between 1998 to 2002. This period of success came to an end when Barnstaple suffered consecutive relegation's to fall to the lowest level in the clubs history so far, dropping to Western Counties West (tier 7) by 2005. Thankfully, the club quickly righted itself and three seasons (and two promotions) later found themselves back in South West 1. This climb back up the leagues also conceded with repeated Devon Cup success, with four titles wn in
Barnstaple it developed other industries, such as shipbuilding, foundries and sawmills. Its Victorian market survives, with its high glass and timber roof on iron columns. Barnstaple railway station is the terminus of a branch line from Exeter, known as the Tarka Line. Since 1974, Barnstaple has been a civil parish governed by town council. The parish itself had a population of 24,033 and including the satellite settlements known as the Barnstaple Town Area, it is 53,514. The old spelling Barnstable is now obsolete, but is retained by an American county and town and is still sometimes used for Bideford or Barnstable