BIDEFORD, municipal borough on north coast of Devon shire, England, 83- m. south;west of Barnstaple. Population (19.3i) 8,782. It is situated on two hills rising from the banks of the river Torridge, 3 m. above its junction with the estuary of the Taw.
Bideford (Bedeford, Bydyford, Budeford, Bytheford) is not mentioned in pre-Conquest records, but according to Domesday it rendered geld for three hides to the king. From the time of the Conquest down to the 18th century, Bideford remained in the possession of the Grenville family, and it first appears as a borough in an undated charter (probably of the reign of Edward I.) from Richard de Grenville, granting liberties similar to those in use at Breteuil and a market every Monday. A charter (1573) created Bideford a free borough corporate with a common council. This charter also granted the Tuesday market, which is still held. A subsequent charter (I6io) continued in force until the Municipal Corporations Act of 1873. In the i6th century Sir Richard Grenville, the famous Virginian settler, did much to stimulate the commercial development of Bideford, which long maintained a very considerable trade with America, Spain and the Mediterranean ports, the import of tobacco from Maryland and Virginia being especially noteworthy.
Many of the houses are built with timber framework in Elizabethan style, and the two parts of the town are united by a bridge of 24 arches, originally erected in the i4th century, when the revenue of certain lands was set apart for its upkeep. The church of St. Mary is modern save an old tower. A stone chancel screen and a Norman font are also preserved. Industries include the manufacture of earthenware, leather goods, sails, ropes and linen, and iron-founding. The small harbour has about 17 ft. of water at high tide, but is dry at low tide. Anthracite and a coarse potter's clay are found near the town.
Bideford is a subport of Barnstaple (q.v.) with some coastal shipping. It has a station on the Southern railway but the Bide ford, Westward Ho! and Appledore line no longer exists. The borough is governed by a mayor, four aldermen and 12 councillors. Area, 3,416ac. It forms part of the Barnstaple parlia mentary county division.