Date created: July 2026, written by Adam Sabo and Serena Li
North Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple
Mentor bio
Background: Adam and Serena both graduated from Cambridge having grown up in Slovakia and New Zealand respectively before moving to the UK for university.
Choices: We linked our applications as a couple and had no clue where we really wanted to be for foundation training. We put the Peninsula deanery as our fourth choice mostly because we’d heard it is one of the most beautiful places in England (which it is!), use of EPIC and it was one of the few deaneries that allowed linking to the same hospital. We had not even heard of Barnstaple before nor visited the area before moving but Devon has really grown on us, and we’ve had an amazing two years here!
Interests and hobbies: We both enjoy hiking and being in nature. We’re also foodies and Devon (and Cornwall) have a lot of amazing seafood restaurants! Although admittedly there’s less international cuisine nearby, Bristol/Exeter are both close enough and it’s also easy getting to London (especially for flights if you like travelling like us). There are also lovely running/biking routes (Tarka trail) and long, beautiful stretches of coastline to walk/explore.
Best thing about training in this location: North Devon does have many advantages – low living costs, short distances for commute, small cohort of new FY1s. Because the cohort of foundation docs is small, you know everyone and it’s super easy to make friends! The vast majority of seniors you will work with are also very approachable and friendly so escalating things and seeking opportunities (such as just asking to join an LP clinic to learn/doing a simple surgical procedure) is very straightforward. Everyone pretty much knows everyone! We also found that you learn a lot and also quickly as small on-call teams mean you get to have responsibility from the start – for example you carry the crash bleep on medicine as an FY1.
Contact details: adam.sabo@nhs.net and serena.li5@nhs.net
The hospital
NDDH is the most remote hospital (!!!) in England serving a large, rural population that increases with tourists in the summer months. It’s a small hospital which means you’ll get to know everyone from fellow FYs, SHOs to consultants! Don’t worry about not being ready, just show up every day, on time, with a positive attitude and you’ll do fine!
Accommodation
Accommodation can be difficult to source as the market is quite small. If you’re not able to move to the region earlier to look for a space, there is hospital accommodation but ask early as it can be very limited (very cheap ~£10 a night) but it is very, very basic! Keep an eye out on WhatsApp chats for outgoing FY2s as you can often move into their places!
Most people tend to live either in central Barnstaple or in the surrounding towns and villages e.g. Braunton, Bideford, Fremington or Ilfracombe. The cost of living is very low!
Most people commute by car but some do bike or walk! Commuting by bus is possible but a bit trickier. Keep in mind that the parking lot gets very busy at around 9am.
What we wish we’d known
- Countryside is genuinely beautiful with many hidden spots to explore!
- Many surfing spots and schools – give it a go!
- If you like being outdoors, a National Trust membership is very handy (discounts for tickets and parking)
- Nearest large cities are Exeter (1 hour drive), Bristol (1.5 hour drive) and you can get a 2 hour train to London from Tiverton Parkway station (1 hour drive)
- Get a small car preferably! Devon country roads are very narrow…
- Useful apps for work: Haiku (phone app for EPIC – essential), Accurx (for bleeps/extensions), Eolas (guidelines), iResus, MDCalc, BNF
Local recommendations
- Best beaches/coastline: Mortehoe, Valley of the Rocks, Woolacombe, Croyde, Saunton
- Cute towns: Lynton/Lynmouth, Clovelly
- Food: The Boathouse, Le Petit Monde, Pig and Olive (great pizza), Barricane Beach Café (great Sri Lankan curry), Siam Bistro (great Thai food), No. 8 (if you want something fancy) and loads of fresh seafood spots!
- Best gym: Barum Barbell
- Best pub: Instow Arms
- International groceries: Jatujak Oriental
- Best butcher: Gratton’s
- Best fishmonger: Devon and Cornwall Fish Company
- Furniture: Exeter IKEA
Additional resources
PDF poster of North Devon District Hospital thrival guide [pdf, 2000 KB]