Fair week in September and the run-up to Christmas are the busiest nights of the year in Barnstaple, and the hardest nights to find a taxi on the spot. How to plan the journey home so it's the easy part.
Two stretches of the year keep Barnstaple busy long after dark: Barnstaple Fair in September, and the run of Christmas parties from late November through to New Year's Eve. They are great nights out. They are also the nights when the most people want a taxi at the same moment, so a little planning makes the end of the night the easy part.
Barnstaple Fair
Barnstaple Fair is one of the oldest fairs in the country and is held every September. For several evenings the funfair draws crowds from all over North Devon, and plenty of them come in from Bideford, Braunton, Ilfracombe and the villages. The roads around it are busy and everyone tends to leave at once.
The simple fix is to book your lift home before you go out, and to meet your driver a short walk away from the fairground rather than where everyone else is waiting.
Christmas party season
Works parties, late-night shopping and catch-ups with friends all land in the same few weeks. Friday and Saturday nights in December are some of the busiest of the year, and the last Friday before Christmas tops the lot.
- New Year's Eve: book as early as you can. Just after midnight, half of North Devon wants a taxi at the same moment.
- Christmas Day and Boxing Day: we are open, including Christmas Day. Book ahead for family visits.
Book both ways before you go out
We are a private hire company, so we cannot pick up people who wave us down in the street. Every journey has to be booked. That is why a call at 1am on a December Saturday can mean a wait.
Book the journey home at the same time as the journey out, and give us a time. If the night goes on longer than planned, call us and we will move the booking if we can. The fare is agreed when you book. Late-night journeys are charged at our night rate, but the price never goes up just because it is a busy night. More on how our fares work.
Agree a pickup point
Name a place both you and the driver can find easily. The Square, by the Albert Clock, is the obvious one in Barnstaple town centre, or the door of the venue you are in. The busiest street corners at closing time are the hardest places to spot your car, and for your driver to stop safely.
Groups and splitting the fare
For a group, one bigger car is easier than three small ones. Our 8 seater vehicles take the whole party on one fixed fare, which you can split however you like. If people are going home to different addresses, tell us when you book and we will plan the route and quote for the drop-offs.
Getting home safely
- Only get into the car you booked. Check the company name, and that the driver knows your name and where you are going.
- Licensed drivers carry a badge issued by the council. It is fine to ask to see it.
- Share your journey with a friend, and keep the group together until everyone has a way home.
- Leave the car at home. Alcohol can keep you over the limit well into the next morning. If you left your car in town, book a taxi to go and collect it.
Heading home to Bideford, Braunton or Ilfracombe? We cover all of North Devon. Book your taxi home online, or call us any time.
