Offering food and drink inside the station, and outside in the garden, the venue also hosts touring art exhibitions. Thank you for your lovely comments, especially the one about the staff as it is feedback like this that keeps us all motivated to keep delivering friendly consistent service. Located in a former Victorian railway station, The Puffing Billy is right on the Tarka Trail, making it a perfect stop at either end of this section. Voir ce Tour et d'autres similaires, ou planifiez le vtre avec komoot ! The Puffing Billy Trading Co. occupies the Victorian railway station, full of railway memorabilia and original features. A bit further and youll come to a wooden bench, one of 30 pieces of art comissioned for the trail as part of Sustrans Art in the Travelling Landscape project.Near hear you can detour into the woods on a permissive path that takes you to Weare Giffard, but apart from a bit of exploring I think Id stick to the trail. Youll start at the Puffing Billy cafe, cross the River Torridge at Beam Weir, made famous in Henry Williamsons book Tarka the Otter (theres probably a copy in your eco lodge), before meandering along the valley, through the old railway tunnel, across another bridge and into the former station at Bideford, where theres a (summertime) cafe in an old railway carriage. But due to both theChina Clayand the milk train traffic, freight trains and the occasional passenger special used the line until 1982. For family days out along The Tarka Trail you may want to visit our places to visit page, or our Get Inspired page featuring towns, villages and places of interest along the trail. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Tours will start promptly at the advertised time. It's a soothing ride past the enormous lakes and meadows of the old clay quarries and mines here, and you may even spot the reserve's herd of Exmoor ponies. The station was closed for regular passenger services in 1965 under the. Great Torrington. We didnt eat but the food looked good and seemed to be enjoyed by those that were eating. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Devon Eco Lodge: Hot Tub + Lake Views, Sleeps 8, Lodge with hot tub sleeps 6 in double, twin + bunk, Quiet holiday lodge, sleeps 4, dogs welcome, borrow a farm bike and lock it up at the bus stop, Standing up for Dartmoor wild camping rights, Wheatland Farms new favourite coffee shop in Winkleigh. Torrington Tarka Trail Haunted History Tour A guided walk down the old railway track, hearing true tales of Torrington and surroundings. View this route on OS maps If you dont have your own bikes, you can hire some from Torrington Cycle Hire, just opposite the cafe (01805 281461). Either drive or take the 315 bus from Winkleigh to the Puffing Billy stop just the far side of Great Torrington. It does not follow the railway in some locations and has steeper gradients. Look out for information boards along the way, with interesting facts about the former Rolle Canal. Reviews There are no reviews yet. Time Be the first to review "Puffing Billy" . 1. along the Tarka Trail . It extends for 180 miles. Puffing Billy Cafe is #5 of all Great Torrington restaurants: online menu, 1396 visitors' reviews and 85 detailed photos. Date: January 17, 2009 Author: maggie2watson Category: car free, Cycling, Local Devon walks, Things to do Post navigation. This is unspoilt Devon countryside at its best. Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, Own or manage this property? What's not to like? The Tarka Valley Railway Group was formed in 2008 to preserve what remained of the railway at Torrington. During the English Civil War, the town was of strategic importance and in 1646 was the location for the Battle of Torrington. We enjoyed it so much that we went back for elevenses the next day on our way to Meeth. A bit further and youll come to a wooden bench, one of 30 pieces of art originally commissioned for the trail as part of the Sustrans Art in the Travelling Landscape project.Near here you can detour into the woods on a permissive path that takes you to Weare Giffard. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The station was closed for regular passenger services in 1965 under theBeeching Axe. Bridges, tunnels, cafesand it's off road too. With no road crossings, this part of the trail is suitable for kids but keep an eye on them in the long tunnel. Find on the map and call to book a table. Have had coffee and cake on many occasions but this was the first time we had enjoyed a Sunday lunch. Lovely place to stop and have a break when cycling the Tarka Trail. There are so many things to do in Devon that youll be spoilt for choice wherever you choose to base yourself during your holiday. Theres a rack to lock your bikes to. Find properties for sale in Lavender Cottage, Frithelstockstone, Torrington, Devon, Ex38 from the thousands of available properties on the market today. The entire route is centered around the ancient market town of Barnstaple, the principle town in the North Devon region. Walk or. highly recommend it, wild camping & stayed at a few camp sites. the station platform . A lovely clean place to eat and drink. Youll soon come to the bridge at Beam Weir. The well-marked, 180-mile Tarka Trail winds through undisturbed countryside and is inaccessible by car. The Tarka Trail is the perfect day ride. If youre there really early and its quiet you may see an otter. We have taken all responsible steps to ensure that these routes are safe and achievable by people with a reasonable level of fitness. This large family home sleeps six and has plenty of space for a group or family to have a comfortable break. After the railway line was closed the station became a public house and then a restaurant and finally, as you see it today, a licensed cafe. Cross Bidefords famous long Bridge and come back on the bus We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. When youre worn out, relax in the enclosed garden with a BBQ or in the bubbling private hot tub. Take a breather at Beam Weir, made famous in Tarka the Otter, and see if you can spot otters along the riverbank! Breaking News!!! E.g. Passenger services had closed in late 1965 and by the 1990's the track had been lifted and the area overgrown. Tarka Trail (Braunton to Meeth): 4 mile dog walk. Absolutely delighted to create this fully funded programme with Active Devon and Torridge District Council this Spring at Skern Lodge. Lovely outdoor seating area, a very extensive menu and very prompt service. Built on the site of an ancient settlement atop an inland cliff with the River Torridge below, the town enjoys spectacular views across rolling hills and unspoilt green countryside. Great Torrington Flights to Great Torrington Looking for more places to stay in North Devon? Between the 5 of us we selected a variety of sandwiches, panini and burgers all of which were well presented and of very good quality. Please use your own judgement when using the routes based upon the weather and the ability, experience and confidence levels of those in your group. Tree Trail (about 3km) 2. Your journey will continue along the banks of the River Taw, passing through Chivenor and crossing the tributary river Yeo on the new swing bridge at Barnstaple. Covers the North Devon area, including Exmoor, Ilfracombe and the North Devon coast, Exeter, Okehampton and Bude. The Tarka Trail is a 180 mile, figure-eight loop inspired by the route travelled by Tarka the Otter. in hospitality, hope to continue the good work of the previous owners whilst putting their own stamp on the Puffing Billy! Walk to the Puffing Billy cafe from home and its always great to meet for a coffee. distance In the evening, bats hunt for moths along the river bank. Theres loads to see and do in both Braunton and Barnstaple, and the slightly shorter distance of this section makes it a breeze to fit in spending time in both locations as well as squeezing in the return cycle!With only a couple of places where you meet a road (and even then, there are designated crossing points across the quiet roads), this section is perfect for younger cyclists. This trail follows the Puffing Billy steam railway through the Dandenong Ranges from Clematis/Emerald to Gembrook Whilst only 15km long, this trail offers a full range of experiences for users - hills, forests, farms, rural villages, picnic facilities, heritage railway. The Travel Chapter Limited trading as Stay In Devon is an appointed representative of ITC Compliance Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (their registration number is 313486) and which is permitted to advise on and arrange general insurance contracts as an intermediary. Bridges, tunnels, cafesand its off road too. There are lots of great places to eat and drink along the way, too. Attend, Share & Influence! The most popular stop along this section of the trail is Fremington Quay Cafe. Subscribed to personalized events updates! However, following closure of the railway, there was a proviso that that the tracked should not be built on in the event that . I have spoken to the kitchen in regards to the crisp portion to ensure we are consistent in our offering. Puffing Billy, ,Torrington, United Kingdom, Launceston, United Kingdom. Lovely garden area. A selection of walks from the Old Bowling Green. Sustrans is committed to fundraising in a way which is legal, open, honest and respectful. Where to stay? Next page from Braunton . Youll go through a tunnel, then down to Landcross (had enough? There is also a goods brake van, coal truck and buffet carriage on a restored stretch of track. Escape to Devon on a South West getaway. These make the perfect place to rest and enjoy your surroundings. sport cycling distance 20.84 ml energy 0 kcal ascent 0 m descent 0 m Notes Ride with Steve, Sunny cool day. The north loop travels up through Exmoor into Lynton and the Valley of Rocks then back along the coast. Lovely setting and restoration of the former station. Torrington is home to Dartington Crystal, the UKs only remaining glass factory who offer a fascinating factory tour where you can watch skilled glass blowers creating some of the most beautiful glass products. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Find properties for sale in Beech Road, Stibb Cross, Torrington, Devon, Ex38 8hz from the thousands of available properties on the market today. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Chill out in the suntrap garden with an all-day breakfast what better way to refuel for the journey home? if you are planning to visit The Tarka Trail, then why not take a look at our list of places to stay located near to The Tarka Trail, where hotels, guesthouses, self-catering properties, B&Bs and campsites are listed. This button displays the currently selected search type. Make a mid-way pitstop at The Waterside, just past Chivenor. Thanks Luke Sargeant, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome. It was warm and sunny so we sat at one of the outside tables. more. Puffing Billy to Bideford on the Tarka Trail. Great Torrington Tourism Great Torrington Hotels Bed and Breakfast Great Torrington Great Torrington Holiday Rentals Great Torrington (generally abbreviated to Torrington, though it should be noted that the villages of Little Torrington and Black Torrington are situated in the same region) is a small market town in the north of Devon, England.Parts of it are sited on a cliff top with steep drops down to the River Torridge below. Supporters can choose from road map, terrain, cycle map & satellite imagery. Would defo recommend not having food and just have a beer in the garden. The trail takes you right to the old station, where theres a cafe in an old carriage. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Pingback: Torrington 1646 | Wheatland Farm. Puffing Billy Steam Train Ticket Package Options Return Ticket - Belgrave to Lakeside (Departs 11:15AM & 12:45PM) Free cancellation (24-hours notice) Instant confirmation Fixed date booking On bikes its a doable and adventurous day out for kids and an easy ride for adults (so long as you can pedal 10 miles, 5 out, 5 back). The station dispatched trains toBidefordandBarnstaple, as well as toExeter St Davids. The large farmhouse table is perfect for big sociable mealtimes and the enclosed garden with patio is the perfect suntrap for those days you want to stay at home! There is also a shop to purchase some of the items. The paninis have hardly any fill in and are served with a childs portion of some cheap crisps. This section of the trail from Barnstaple to Bideford is great for a family day out as there are lots of places to stop for refreshments on the way. We're offering a FREE programme of activities this Spring for over 55s: - Situated a stones throw from the old signal box in Instow, this newly refurbished apartment has sliding doors opening out to a patio area, with the Tarka Trail just beyond.Its the perfect size for a small family and includes allocated parking an absolute must in popular Instow. Bike back again, or if on foot, cross Bidefords famous long Bridge and come back on the bus if youve had enough (the bus leaves from Bideford Quay and will take you back to Puffing Billy check the latest times online). Alternatively, you may use, There are newer reviews for The Puffing Billy, Second time we've stopped at Puffing Billy's trading Co while cycling the tarka trail and if we're ever passing again we'll, Luke S, Owner at The Puffing Billy, responded to this review, We're sorry, hotels cannot be booked for more than 30 days. Actions Graphs Show Elevation Show Gradient Refresh Elevation Preferences Advertisements To the extent permitted by law, Sustrans accepts no responsibility for any accidents or injury resulting from following these routes. Popped in here after a visit to Dartington Crystal. Puffing Billy is the name of the pub here, once the station . The Tarka Trailis part of the National Cycle Network, cared for by Sustrans. The Tarka Trail shares some sections with The National Cycle Network. The Tarka Trail is a wonderful route for nature lovers. An Intimate VIP Afternoon with Paul Gascoigne "GAZZA", Launceston Folk Dance Club Centenary Dance, St Piran's Day - Celebration of All Things Cornish with Launceston Community Connections, Imagine yourself to wellness with the Causley Trust. ifsi virtual learning. Views of the River Torridge - The River Torridge Circuit partir de Taddiport - niveau cyclisme sur route - Intermdiaire. You may also like the following events from St Anne's Arts & Community Centre: Tickets for Torrington Tarka Trail Haunted History Tour can be booked here. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. A passenger service operated until 1965 when the line again reverted to carrying goods only until the line through Torrington was closed completely. You can even make this a car free day out, if you can get yourself to the bus stop 1.5 miles from Wheatland Farm. Facebook. A museum and cafe in the town named Torrington 1646 will transport you back in time to those dark days and give you a chance to relive the battle for yourself. Its one of the country's longest continuous traffic-free walking and cycling paths and is ideal for families or less experienced cyclists. Good coffee & tea. Take them to the bus stop, set them off exploring, and hear their adventures at the end of the day. It encompasses roads, footpaths, bridleways and cycleways. The Murders, Ghosts seen and heard, strange happenings, working girls and more. Description Reviews (0) Description. These are great places to stop off for refreshments as they have lots of cafes and restaurants. Beginning in the pretty village of Braunton, the route is incredibly easy to follow. Sustrans is a registered charity in England and Wales (326550) and Scotland (SC039263) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England (1797726) at 2 Cathedral Square, Bristol, BS1 5DD. Thu Jul 13 2023 at 07:30 pm, Puffing Billy, ,Torrington, United Kingdom, Launceston, United Kingdom Youll cross the Torridge again over a bridge where people often fish the tidal waters, than pass close to saltmarsh and a reedbed as you approach Bideford. At the highest points, you might spot Dartmoor on a clear day.