The North Devon Congress will once again be held at the Barnstaple Hotel, North Devon, EX31 1LE.
Brochure (pdf) | Entry Form | Entries
The three-day programme includes a ten-match Swiss Pairs competition on the Friday and Saturday followed by a seven-match blue-pointed Swiss Teams competition on the Sunday.
The Hotel
The Barnstaple Hotel has been the home of the popular North Devon Congress since 2003. It is just a short stroll from the centre of Barnstaple and only a ten-minute drive from the beautiful North Devon coast.
The hotel offers all the facilities needed for a short break including a heated indoor pool and sauna, fitness room and solarium. There is ample free parking for residents and non-residents.
Why not take advantage of our great rates and stay for an extra night either before or after the congress.
Accessibility Please note that the majority of the rooms are located on the first-floor level and there is no lift. The remainder of the rooms are on the ground floor with bedroom doors opening directly to open air. If you need more information before booking, see the hotel's accessibility guide, or call Jacqui Munns on 07734 219859 to discuss your requirements.
The Bridge
The 2026 programme is shown below. Timings of breaks and the end of play are approximate. The organisers reserve the right to make any necessary changes to the programme as a result of unforeseen circumstances.
| Friday February 27 |
| 6pm |
Residents’ Reception - Join the hosts for a glass of wine |
| 6.30pm |
Dinner |
| 8pm |
Swiss Pairs (Three 7-board matches) |
| Saturday February 28 |
| 11.00am |
Swiss Pairs (Three 7-board matches) |
| 1.45pm |
Break for complimentary sandwiches & coffee |
| 2.15pm |
Swiss Pairs (Four 7-board matches) |
| 7.30pm |
Dinner followed by the Quiz |
| Sunday March 1 |
| 11am |
Swiss Teams (Three 8-board matches) |
| 2.15pm |
Break for complimentary sandwiches & coffee
followed by presentation of Pairs prizes |
| 3pm |
Swiss Teams (Three 8-board matches) |
| 6pm |
Presentation of Teams prizes |
The event is licensed by the EBU for EBU members and Level 4 Systems may be used.
Tournament Director
We are delighted to welcome back Jeremy Child as our TD for the weekend.
2026 Prices
Residents
- £280 per person for a full weekend of Bridge including two nights dinner, bed & breakfast, Friday evening reception, and a sandwich lunch with tea/coffee sharing a room, or
- £340 per person for single occupancy.
- Non-bridge playing partners sharing a room pay £205 per person, lunches not included.
Non-Residents
- £65 per person for a full weekend of Bridge, including a sandwich lunch with tea/coffee on both Saturday & Sunday.
- £38 per person for Swiss Pairs only (Friday & Saturday), to include a sandwich lunch with tea/coffee (on Saturday).
- £34 per person for Blue-pointed Swiss Teams only (Sunday), to include a sandwich lunch with tea/coffee.
A 50% discount is available on non-resident prices for registered youth players, defined as any player aged 25 or under on the 31st December 2026, provided their date of birth is registered with the EBU.
Non-residents are welcome to join us for a three course dinner on Saturday evening for £37 per person.
Prizes
There will be cash prizes for the top three pairs and teams and also for those highest placed in the following categories - 'non-expert', resident, and local.
There will also be wine prizes for the pairs and teams with the highest scores in each round.
The committee reserve the right to change the format and/or value of prizes as necessary.
The Holders 2025
2025 Swiss Pairs winners: Simon & Debbie Richards.
2025 Swiss Teams winners: Sally Stuttard, Terry Stuttard, Chris Thomas, John Dick.
How to Enter
Please fill out the entry form HERE and send your hotel room deposit of £25 per person to North Devon Bridge Congress , Sort Code: 51-70-16, Account: 79250076 using the reference NDC - (your surname).
Full payment is required by January 30, 2026.
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