Bideford is one of North Devon’s largest towns. It is a town at the water’s edge, which was at one time England’s third largest port.
Predictably, it has longstanding links with the rest of the world, forged through trade, travel and colonialism. Connections to the Americas are particularly significant. In the 16th to 18th centuries, Bideford would have received and exchanged many things, and also many people. These included the tobacco, cod and ceramics which made the town prosperous – but also indentured labourers and servants.
Explore the timeline to learn more about the town’s multicultural past and connections to the rest of the world.
Today, Bideford is home to many different people with diverse cultural, national and faith backgrounds.
In 2020, Telling Our Stories interviewed some of them about their memories, their stories, and their experiences of coming to and living in Bideford.
Explore the Stories tab to hear their voices.
