Barnstaple is the main town in the local government district of North Devon and claims to be the oldest borough in the United Kingdom.

Butchers Row - Built in 1855, Butchers Row consists of 10 shops with pilasters of Bath Stone, and wrought iron supports to an overhanging roof.

Pannier Market - Barnstaple has been the major market for North Devon since Saxon times. The building has a high glass and timber roof on iron columns. At 107 yards (97.5 metres) long, it runs the length of Butchers Row.
Market days are Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

Barnstaple Fair - The ceremonial opening of the fair survives from ancient times. The town council meets in the Guildhall, where various toasts are honoured with a spiced ale which, according to tradition, is made from a jealously guarded recipe handed on from generation to generation. Whilst the toasts are being honoured, "fairings", (a form of sweetmeat) are handed around.

On the reading of the Proclamation a large stuffed gloved hand garlanded with flowers is hung from a window of the Guildhall. The gloved hand represents the hand of friendship and the hand of welcome to the thousands that come to the fair. At 12 o'clock, a civic procession forms at the entrance to the Guildhall and the proclamation is read.

The fair begins on the Wednesday before 20 September each year.

Today the fair consists of rides and amusements located in the car park of the leisure centre.