a borough, market-town, and seaport, in the county of Devon, 29 miles N.W. of Exeter. It is pleasantly situated on the slopes of two hills which rise on either side of the river Torridge, near its confluence with the Taw, and about four miles from the sea. The two portions of the town are connected by a bridge of fourteen arches, said to have been built early in the fourteenth century. This bridge is endowed for its repair with lands which produce an annual rent of from £300 to £400. It forms a favourite promenade. Many of the houses are constructed after the ancient fashion, with bricks and wooden framework, and the streets are well paved and lighted. It contains an ancient church with a tower and six bells, several dissenting places of worship, a free grammar-school, and several other schools, a literary and scientific institution, a reading-room, a town-hall, a hospital for aged poor, and a dispensary.

Bideford was once a place of some commercial importance, and has still considerable shipping trade. It imports timber from Canada and the Baltic, with fruits, wines, and brandies from the south of Europe; and exports oak-bark, sails and cordage, earthenware, and corn, to Ireland, Wales, Scotland, the Channel Islands &c. Vessels of 500 tons come up at high tide to the quay. Manufactures—earthenware, ropes, sails, and leather. There is also some ship-building. Corporation—a mayor, three aldermen, twelve councillors. Pop. (1851) 6775.