(Their cafe is not dog friendly :-( ). 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. Guests are welcome to use the wetsuits, bodyboards, wellies and prawning sets which is all provided! Terrain varies from flat family-friendly sections to more challenging stretches. The Tarka Trail is the perfect day ride. In regards to the price a panini is 6.80 or 5.44 Ex Vat we try to keep our prices to a minimum but we pay our staff fairly and use local suppliers for our coffee, meat, fruit and vegetable etc;. The Tarka trail is a bird watchers paradise, with stunning river estuary scenes, and don't forget to keep an eye out for evidence of the trails former use as a railway line! Would visit again if passing. If youre there really early and its quiet you may see an otter. During the English Civil War, the town was of strategic importance and in 1646 was the location for the Battle of Torrington. unique traits of plants, animals and humans. Check out our full collection of self-catering holiday cottages. It is right on the Tarka Trail and the restored waiting room serves as the restaurant. A passenger service operated until 1965 when the line again reverted to carrying goods only until the line through Torrington was closed completely. place for refueling . Southlands Retreat, BrauntonSleeping five, this stylish and modern home is only half a miles walk to the cycle hire centre in Braunton.Theres a surfboard rack if you fancy exploring up the coast with your boards, and two four-legged visitors are welcome, too. 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. Adjacent to the Tarka Trail, this character cottage for two is nestled in a picturesque wooded valley just outside Torrington. Connecting Actively to Nature (CAN) returns to Skern Lodge for 2023! We have a large selection of breakfast, brunch, lunch options, and of course home-made cakes and scones! Covers the North Devon area, including Exmoor, Ilfracombe and the North Devon coast, Exeter, Okehampton and Bude. A carvery on Sunday is great way to end your Tarka Trail journey. The Puffing Billy Trading Co. occupies the Victorian railway station, full of railway memorabilia and original features. Theres also only one point where you may meet a car at Fremington Quay but even then, cyclists and cars have their own lanes so its a super-safe route for younger ones.If little legs get tired more quickly than you thought, waypoints at Fremington and Instow make it easy to refuel and loop back if necessary. 6:30am We're opening the event to 150 participants with a choice of two rides: Ride 1 is the classic 200km Moor2Moor Challenge taking in the . Puffing Billy is about 15 miles from our eco lodges and cottage at Wheatland Farm, but if you take the bus your day out starts a mile and a half away at the Winkleigh Bus stop. Enjoy a relaxing train journey between Barnstaple and Exeter, stopping Beautiful scenery and a warm welcome awaits at Instow. Torrington Cycle Hire: Cycle trip - See 84 traveler reviews, 24 candid photos, and great deals for Great Torrington, UK, at Tripadvisor. This longer and hillier section of the Tarka Trail is slightly more challenging than the flatter parts before it, making it more suitable for older children. We only have one walk available for download at the moment but hope to add more over the coming months. Its a lovely walk for anyone, but especially suitable for walkers with a dog that prefers a gentle pace and even terrain. 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. Date: January 17, 2009 Author: maggie2watson Category: car free, Cycling, Local Devon walks, Things to do Post navigation. I hope based on my response you will give us another shot, if you would like to discuss your experience any further please email me directly on sargeantandsargeant@gmail.com. (SOLD OUT!) The Tarka Trailis part of the National Cycle Network, cared for by Sustrans. View this route on OS maps This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Barnstaple is the main town of north Devon, and the Crow point is an unspoiled haven of natural beauty and Bideford, known locally as 'The little white town' is an A traditional bustling market town and the gateway to Dartmoor. Walking and cycling routes change over time. Whether walking or cycling, set off passing in front of the cafe on the tarmac path that was once the railway track. Take them to the bus stop, set them off exploring, and hear their adventures at the end of the day. Read our fundraising promise. What we do Cycle Hire Cycle Hire Info Cycle Servicing Twitter. These make the perfect place to rest and enjoy your surroundings. For more info on the Puffing Billy, ,Torrington, United Kingdom, Launceston, United Kingdom. Menu Supper Club On the 3rd Friday of every month we open in the evenings. A little further south is a section of the trail that is open to horses. The centre of the town therefore commands spectacular views, though lower-lying . Great Torrington Flights to Great Torrington Find out what we stand for and how our work around the UK is making a difference. Next page 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. The Tarka Trail is a 180 mile, figure-eight loop inspired by the route travelled by Tarka the Otter. If you want to cycle youll have to go out and back again. . We stopped here for lunch on the Tarka Trail and the food was lovely. Maps are available to purchase from the Tourist Information Centre and the Puffing Billy. It does not follow the railway in some locations and has steeper gradients. Burger and chips looked okay but nothing fancy. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Interesting building, free wifi, friendly staff, great (mostly locally sourced) food (big fan of the porridge with mixed berries), decent portions, reasonable prices, a variety of coffee and cakes for those so inclined and cask ale.Yes, staffing levels can sometimes seems bit low and it does get very busy at times but there are worse places to wait for your food (and I've never actually had to wait very long in any event).A must if enjoying this end of the Tarka Trail. To the extent permitted by law, Sustrans accepts no responsibility for any accidents or injury resulting from following these routes. We have got 40,000 cities covered worldwide, Discover Online Events - Attend from anywhere , Torrington Tarka Trail Haunted History Tour, bWFpbCB8IHRoZXBsb3VnaGFydHNjZW50cmUgISBvcmcgISB1aw==, There is no photo available at this moment, We'll find event recommendations just for you. The paninis have hardly any fill in and are served with a childs portion of some cheap crisps. Find a route on the National Cycle Network. We even got to see the diesel shunting engine being exercised on it tiny 50m track! highly recommend it, wild camping & stayed at a few camp sites. You could borrow a farm bike and lock it up at the bus stop. If you walked, you can catch the 315 bus back from Bideford Quay just cross the bridge, turn right and youll find the bus stops.Puffing Billy is about 17 miles from our lodges and cottage, but if you take the bus your day out starts a mile and a half away at the Winkleigh Bus stop. Puffing Billy is the name of the cafe here, once the station buildings. There are lots of great places to eat and drink along the way, too. | Registered office Travel Chapter House Gammaton Road Bideford EX39 4DF Company No. Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, If youre car-less and have young children with you we can sometimes run you down there. This button displays the currently selected search type. The shared access section of the Tarka Trail runs for 31 miles along disused railway lines between Braunton and Meeth in north Devon, and was opened in 1997. . Beyond the Puffing Billy the Trail yet again crosses the Torridge, this time on a high level viaduct, offering good views along the River, before heading South west towards Meeth, passing Pencleave Woods and Watergate Halt. If you walk you can get the bus back. Work in partnership with us to tackle the challenges of congestion, air pollution, physical inactivity, and social inequality, by making it easier for people to walk and cycle. Keep an eye out for their pizza nights, too! If you are in need of refreshments, then take a look at our list of places to eat and drink along The Tarka Trail where cafes, restaurants, pubs, delis and food markets are listed. From 1880 it connected with the narrow gauge freight onlyTorrington and Marland Railway. 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). Sustrans is committed to fundraising in a way which is legal, open, honest and respectful. 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. 3 reviews of Puffing Billy "The Puffing Billy has changed owners and is currently not a Pub. 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. m. Notes
Open daily with free entry to passengers and visitors. east Yarde . Puffing Billy Station Hill, Great Torrington EX38 8JD England +44 1805 623050 Website Menu Closes in 46 min: See all hours See all (67) Ratings and reviews 4.0 344 reviews #3 of 13 Restaurants in Great Torrington Travellers' Choice 2022 RATINGS Food Service Value Details PRICE RANGE 4 - 6 CUISINES British, Cafe Special Diets Tarka View, Bideford It was warm and sunny so we sat at one of the outside tables. Breaking News!!! The leasehold interest of The Puffing Billy is on sale for 65,000. Facebook. PUFFING BILLY OPERATES DAILY (except Christmas Day). View all facilities along 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. 209 Puffing Billy Stock Photos, Images & Pictures Most relevant Best selling Latest uploads Within Results People Pricing License Media Properties More Safe Search first first vacuum cleaners falls creek billy teenager roller coaster Browse 209 professional puffing billy stock photos, images & pictures available royalty-free. Why not check out our guide to the best beaches in North Devon or our locals guide to North Devons best walks? The Puffing Billy Trading Co. occupies the Victorian railway station, full of railway memorabilia and original features. In 1925 the narrow gauge Torrington and Marland Railway was rebuilt as a standard gauge line and opened through to Halwill Junction as theNorth Devon and Cornwall Junction Light Railway. This article focuses on the fourth and final section of the trail (12 miles), from the Puffing Billy caf at Torrington to Meeth. 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. It extends for 180 miles. Theres even a grassed area for kids complete with wooden pirate ship where they can let off steam! Of course, youll need somewhere just right to come back to after a busy day out. Highly recommended. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. 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. At this point the trail criss-crosses over the winding River Torridge through wooded valleys and vast river expanses, offering some of the most scenic sections of the Tarka Trail. However, all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The Tarka Valley Railway Group was formed in 2008 to preserve what remained of the railway at Torrington. Following the success of the inaugural Moor2Moor Challenge in May, Launceston Velo in conjunction with Firebrand Brewery, Launceston Cycles, Westgate Street Deli and Maunders are running a bigger and better event on 14th May 2023. Hopefully we will see you again the Tarka Trail is great for riding in all seasons and we will be open 9-5 everyday with welcoming open fires when the winter months draw in. Passenger services had closed in late 1965 and by the 1990's the track had been lifted and the area overgrown. So far only a short demonstration line has been set up, and planning permission was granted for 300 ft (91 metres) of track in the direction of Bideford.The railway has been fenced off from the Tarka Trail ensuring the safety of all involved. Great Torrington. We have taken all responsible steps to ensure that these routes are safe and achievable by people with a reasonable level of fitness. 0
A guided walk down the old railway track, hearing true tales of Torrington and surroundings. The Tarka Trail is a recreational route opened in May 1992 which describes a figure of eight, centred on Barnstaple, through the beautiful countryside of North Devon. 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). The old railway station at Torrington is an ideal place to start your Tarka Trail adventure. 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. Great Torrington, often referred to as just Torrington is a market town rich in history and surrounded by beautiful unspoilt countryside in the heart of Tarka country. Stopped here on a Cycle rather than Fremington Quay and massively regretted it! Theres ample cycle storage and lovely views over the river, plus the highly Instagrammable interior will please any teen cyclists in your peloton. events from St Anne's Arts & Community Centre, Introduction to Soft Pastels in Barnstaple, Spring Soap Making Workshop in Barnstaple, March Deep Rest Healing Circle in Barnstaple, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Launceston, St. Patricks Day Events & Celebrations In UK 2023, Easter Weekend Activities in Launceston 2023, West Mersea Food & Drink + Rock The Dock 2023, Female Founders Rise - An event for women business owners on International Women's Day. Thanks Luke Sargeant, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The 180-mile trail forms a figure-eight around the North Devon coast and countryside, but were looking at the most popular section: the 32 miles of traffic-free, flat path between Braunton and Meeth. Thank you for your nice comments re; the burger you are correct it is nothing fancy, it is prime beef burger from our local butcher, served with our twice cooked hand cut chips, burger relish and a small garnish. Horse riding is also permitted on this section. Good service. If you dont have your own bikes, you can hire some from Torrington Cycle Hire, just opposite the cafe (01805 281461). Weather conditions may also affect path surfaces. Your support helps to give children access to the training and equipment they need to ride a bike safely - starting a cycle of good that can go on to benefit their health, education and future. youre close to the bus route again here just come off the trail and cross over the Torridge on the road bridge. It was busy, so we were glad we had reserved a table. Walk or. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. 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. Reviews There are no reviews yet. Popular shops and eateries are within walking distance and the beach is a short ten minute drive away. A carvery on Sunday is great way to end your Tarka Trail journey. Good parking at both front and rear and right on the Tarka Trail, superb. Tarka Trail Map - Tarka Trail Guide The Tarka Trail in its entirety is a 290km figure '8' shaped long-distance route centered roughly on the town of Barnstaple in North Devon. You can either leave the Tarka Trail on the line of the old tramway route and finish in the beautiful town of Great Torrington or continue on the route across the river on the railway to where the path currently ends at Meeth. to Meeth . Cross Bidefords famous long Bridge and come back on the bus A small car park enables easy and immediate access to the Tarka Trail. If you walked, you can catch the bus back from Bideford Quay just cross the bridge, turn right and youll find the bus stops. With no road crossings, this part of the trail is suitable for kids but keep an eye on them in the long tunnel. If thats not open, the is a pub close by and plenty of other cafes etc over Bideford Long Bridge in the town itself. The final section of the trail starts at the Puffing Billy caf - the old Torrington railway station building which is crammed full with railway memorabilia, including original . Getting there:Either drive or take the 315 bus from Winkleigh to the Puffing Billy stop just the far side of Great Torrington. 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. 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. Unspoiled countryside, dramatic sea cliffs and the longest, continuous cycle path in the UK are waiting to be discovered. Time Tarka Trail, Meeth to The Puffing Billy.. Mapometer.com cycling route #5244326 Route information Tarka Trail, Meeth to The Puffing Billy. The Tarka Trail makes use of disused railway tracks to take you into the beautiful North Devon countryside. 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. Walking or cycling, The Tarka Trail offers the best way to experience the beauty of North Devon. Tours will start promptly at the advertised time. Or visit Johns of Instow to sample the mouth-watering selection of freshly baked pasties, sausage rolls and cakes.Once you get to Bideford, chain up the bikes and head up the high street to Cafe Collective. The bread was pretty low quality and the salad is just a sprinkle of rocket and some tomatoes/cucumber. Just enjoyed a delicious and plentiful carvery at the Puffing Billy, and definitely a bargain. Youll soon come to the bridge at Beam Weir. 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. We stopped for a drink on our way to Bideford.