3 reviews of Puffing Billy "The Puffing Billy has changed owners and is currently not a Pub. Tarka Trail (Braunton to Meeth): 4 mile dog walk. 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. Have had coffee and cake on many occasions but this was the first time we had enjoyed a Sunday lunch. The Tarka Trail is a 180 mile, figure-eight loop inspired by the route travelled by Tarka the Otter. 4,073 were here. Along the route you will find beautifully designed benches and shelters by Katy Hallett, Ben May, John Butler, Geoff Stainthorp and Paul Anderson. 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. Explore fantastic walking and cycling routes across the UK. What is the Tarka Trail and where is it? - Great Torrington Town Council Magdala House, near FremingtonThis is a charming holiday home with a rustic farmhouse feel which has been designed with family fun in mind. PUFFING BILLY RAILWAY (Belgrave) - 2023 What to Know BEFORE You Go 209 Puffing Billy Stock Photos, Images & Pictures - Dreamstime Lovely setting and restoration of the former station. Bridges, tunnels, cafesand it's off road too. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The Puffing Billy: Lovely stop on the Tarka trail - See 344 traveler reviews, 67 candid photos, and great deals for Great Torrington, UK, at Tripadvisor. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Pingback: Torrington 1646 | Wheatland Farm. Find properties for sale in Beech Road, Stibb Cross, Torrington, Devon, Ex38 8hz from the thousands of available properties on the market today. Terrain varies from flat family-friendly sections to more challenging stretches. Tarka View, Bideford There is also a goods brake van, coal truck and buffet carriage on a restored stretch of track. To make sure everyone gets the most out of their time by the water, please ensure you follow theTowpath Code. The Puffing Billy Trading Co. occupies the Victorian railway station, full of railway memorabilia and original features. We're offering a FREE programme of activities this Spring for over 55s: - A carvery on Sunday is great way to end your Tarka Trail journey. 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. These are great places to stop off for refreshments as they have lots of cafes and restaurants. You can also download a PDF (231kb) of the map using the button below. 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. Thanks Luke Sargeant, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Menu of Puffing Billy Cafe, Great Torrington - reviews and ratings A detour into Barnstaple town centre, where you can take in the Pannier Market and the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, is worthwhile. The Tarka Trail is a combination of footpaths and bridleways with a large section being an old, converted railway line. Lovely huge slabs of cake, just what we needed to get us all that way! 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. Launceston Velo Moor 2 Moor Challenge 2023 | Launceston Castle | May 14 The Tarka Trail makes use of disused railway tracks to take you into the beautiful North Devon countryside. Well behaved dogs on leads welcome. east Yarde . We even got to see the diesel shunting engine being exercised on it tiny 50m track! 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. Stay tuned with the most relevant events happening around you. The route then takes you up the Torridge Estuary, passing Instow and Bideford. Puffing Billy is the name of the pub here, once the station . Beginning in the pretty village of Braunton, the route is incredibly easy to follow. Tarka Trail Inspired by the route travelled by Tarka the Otter from Henry Williamson's famous 1927 novel, the Tarka Trail is a 180 mile, figure of eight walking and cycling route that traverses unspoiled countryside, dramatic sea cliffs and beautiful beaches enabling you to explore and experience the very best North Devon has to offer. please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article. In the evening, bats hunt for moths along the river bank. The entire route is centered around the ancient market town of Barnstaple, the principle town in the North Devon region. The Tarka Trail is the perfect day ride. highly recommend it, wild camping & stayed at a few camp sites. Required fields are marked *. Alongside the main north and south Tarka Trail routes are a series of short, circular walks designed to take a couple of hours, helping you to explore the villages and points of interest along the trail. Free for all train ticket holders, passengers can also explore the Menzies Creek Museum - home to more than 80 railway-related exhibits. The Murders, Ghosts seen and heard, strange happenings, working girls and more Go-to place to discover events for more than 20M people globally. A great new website is now available called One Great Torrington with more information about Great Torrington and the surrounding area: This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It was warm and sunny so we sat at one of the outside tables. Burger and chips looked okay but nothing fancy. Time A simple, flavour filled menu in a relaxed ambience. This is the least well known but most peaceful and tranquil part of the Tarka Trail. The Tarka Trail - Great Torrington Town Council 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. Sleeping two, its an ideal romantic getaway and is half an hours walk from the Tarka Trail at the point where it crosses the River Torridge. 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. Tarka at 90: hot on the otter trail in Devon We believe our pricing is reasonable and good value for money and often get many a comment on this from our regulars. Find out what we stand for and how our work around the UK is making a difference. 4 mile dog walk. - Tarka Trail (Braunton to Meeth) The south loop follows the river Torridge deep into the heart of Otter country, through Torrington, turning at Okehampton on the fringe of Dartmoor National Park and heading back towards Barnstaple. We have a large selection of breakfast, brunch, lunch options, and of course home-made cakes and scones! 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. The trail runs alongside the River Torridge which inspired Henry Williamson to write Tarka the Otter. Good service. 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. During the English Civil War, the town was of strategic importance and in 1646 was the location for the Battle of Torrington. 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. Sustrans is committed to fundraising in a way which is legal, open, honest and respectful. 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. and the milk train traffic, freight trains and the occasional passenger special used the line until 1982. Support Mapometer from 8 (9, $10 USD) per year well activate embedded maps in your account and youll be able to use the site Ad free. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Would visit again if passing. Open daily with free entry to passengers and visitors. For more info on the We think its the prettiest part of the trail. Just enjoyed a delicious and plentiful carvery at the Puffing Billy, and definitely a bargain. Keep an eye out for their pizza nights, too! You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Tarka Valley Railway - Great Torrington - Visit North Devon Puffing Billy to Bideford on the Tarka Trail. The Puffing Billy & The Tarka Trail Torrington North Devon England UK This article focuses on the fourth and final section of the trail (12 miles), from the Puffing Billy caf at Torrington to Meeth. Your Complete Guide to the Tarka Trail | Stay In Devon Offering food and drink inside the station, and outside in the garden, the venue also hosts touring art exhibitions. It is right on the Tarka Trail and the restored waiting room serves as the restaurant. Good coffee & tea. - See 251 traveler reviews, 202 candid photos, and great deals for Devon, UK, at Tripadvisor. The Tarka Trail takes you right to the old station, where theres a cafe in an old carriage (summer months and some weekends). The Tarka Trail North Devon - Beautiful Devon Great Torrington is a friendly and welcoming town, with good local amenities, independent shops, cafes and regular local markets. Puffing Billy (locomotive) - Wikipedia Read our fundraising promise. Covers the North Devon area, including Exmoor, Ilfracombe and the North Devon coast, Exeter, Okehampton and Bude. 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 have taken all responsible steps to ensure that these routes are safe and achievable by people with a reasonable level of fitness. The bread was pretty low quality and the salad is just a sprinkle of rocket and some tomatoes/cucumber. The Travel Chapter Limited trading as Stay In Devon | The Travel Chapter Limited is registered in England and Wales. We used to allow embedded maps for free but Google made a change to the way they charge for maps which means we can no longer do this, sorry. Whether walking or cycling, set off passing in front of the pub on the tarmac path that was once the railway track. Tarka Trail, Meeth to The Puffing Billy.. Mapometer.com cycling route 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. A lovely clean place to eat and drink. Why not check out our guide to the best beaches in North Devon or our locals guide to North Devons best walks? Discover the best North Devon has to offer, The UK's longest, traffic-free cycle path, The Tarka Trail between Braunton and Meeth, places to stay located near to The Tarka Trail, places to eat and drink along The Tarka Trail, Aarons unicycle challenge for Childrens charity. Weather conditions may also affect path surfaces. A guided walk down the old railway track, hearing true tales of Torrington and surroundings. 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! How about making it an independent day out for early teens? The Tarka Valley Railway in Devon, England, is a proposed heritage railway based on plans to rebuild the Barnstaple to Halwill Junction railway line. When on a visit to Devon, youve got to pop into one of this countys quaint country pubs for a tasty Sunday roast or a pint. If you're already a supporter please login to enable embeds. Twitter. There are lots of great places to eat and drink along the way, too. Walking or cycling, The Tarka Trail offers the best way to experience the beauty of North Devon. 20.84 It was busy, so we were glad we had reserved a table. There are times when the sun doesn't shine in Devon and the rain comes to say hello. The station was closed for regular passenger services in 1965 under the. 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. 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. 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. But due to both theChina Clayand the milk train traffic, freight trains and the occasional passenger special used the line until 1982. Find a route on the National Cycle Network. The trail takes you right to the old station, where theres a cafe in an old carriage. Look out for information boards along the way, with interesting facts about the former Rolle Canal. 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. Looking for more places to stay in North Devon? Exploring the Tarka Trail - Section 3: Bideford to Torrington Cross Bidefords famous long Bridge and come back on the bus If you dont have your own bikes, you can hire some from Torrington Cycle Hire, just opposite the cafe (01805 281461). This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. m. Notes 16 hours 23 minutes, 99.7% Traffic-free | 69.9% Asphalt, 28.0% Unsealed firm, 2.1% Unsealed loose. In the evening, bats hunt for moths along the river bank. 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;. These cookies do not store any personal information. Do not miss the Puffing Billy, a relaxed pub at the former Torrington railway station. I have spoken to the kitchen in regards to the crisp portion to ensure we are consistent in our offering. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. It's a really wonderful quiet and scenic stretch that heads north on the old railway path from Torrington and through East Yarde, Petrockstowe and Meeth. 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. place for refueling . Inspired by the route travelled by Tarka the Otter from Henry Williamsons famous 1927 novel, the Tarka Trail is a 180 mile, figure of eight walking and cycling route that traverses unspoiled countryside, dramatic sea cliffs and beautiful beaches enabling you to explore and experience the very best North Devon has to offer. Take a breather at Beam Weir, made famous in Tarka the Otter, and see if you can spot otters along the riverbank! While walking or cycling you will experience many wildlife habitats including estuary mudflats and salt marshes, oak woodland, hazel coppice, hedges, ponds, streams, ditches and meadows. 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. Next page Passenger services had closed in late 1965 and by the 1990's the track had been lifted and the area overgrown. Quirky Devon train station cafe and tea rooms is up for sale Subscribed to personalized events updates! Lovely place to stop and have a break when cycling the Tarka Trail. Voir ce Tour et d'autres similaires, ou planifiez le vtre avec komoot ! Instow has a wide selection of pubs, many of which are dog friendly. Here are some rainy day activities in Devon to keep you occupied and out of the bad weather. The Puffing Billy Cafe Torrington | Torrington - Facebook Make a mid-way pitstop at The Waterside, just past Chivenor. View all facilities along The Tarka Trail. If youre there really early and its quiet you may see an otter. 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. Of course, youll need somewhere just right to come back to after a busy day out. distance Not cheap, but reasonably priced, tasty coffee which is hot and reasonable choice of cakes etc. The Tarka Trail shares some sections with The National Cycle Network. Unspoiled countryside, dramatic sea cliffs and the longest, continuous cycle path in the UK are waiting to be discovered. youre close to the bus route again here just come off the trail and cross over the Torridge on the road bridge. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Sign up now to hear more about our latest news, views, events, campaigns, policy, impact and other activities. Walk to the Puffing Billy cafe from home and its always great to meet for a coffee. Walk or. Tarka Valley Railway - Wikipedia more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. It provides an excellent place to take a break whether you are following the Tarka trail or driving through the area. Lovely garden area. If you walk you can get the bus back. If you walked, you can catch the bus back from Bideford Quay just cross the bridge, turn right and youll find the bus stops. The paninis have hardly any fill in and are served with a childs portion of some cheap crisps. 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. 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. in hospitality, hope to continue the good work of the previous owners whilst putting their own stamp on the Puffing Billy! When you arrive in Barnstaple, make tracks for the Station Masters Cafe next door to the railway station. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Torrington Tarka Trail Haunted History Tour, Puffing Billy, Launceston Bridges, tunnels, cafesand its off road too. On grouping in 1923 the Torrington to Barnstaple line became part of theSouthern Railway. Claire and Jade are the current owners, and having spent a lifetime (or more!) Ask OrienteerfromUK about The Puffing Billy, Ask karenhuttonakela about The Puffing Billy. It is temporarily operating as a cafe offering good coffee, other non-alcoholic beverages and a variety of sandwiches, pastries and other snacks during the daytime only. 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! To the extent permitted by law, Sustrans accepts no responsibility for any accidents or injury resulting from following these routes. All Aboard! Everything You Need to Know about Puffing Billy Walk to the Puffing Billy cafe from home and its always great to meet for a coffee. 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. The well-marked, 180-mile Tarka Trail winds through undisturbed countryside and is inaccessible by car. Heres our full collection of self-catering cottages in North Devon were sure youll find the perfect place to rest your head. The station was closed for regular passenger services in 1965 under theBeeching Axe. . Puffing Billy, ,Torrington, United Kingdom, Launceston, United Kingdom. Great Torrington is a market town rich in dark history yet surrounded by beautiful unspoilt countryside in the heart of Tarka country. If thats not open, there is a pub close by and plenty of other cafes etc over Bideford Long Bridge in the town itself. Getting there:Either drive or take the 315 bus from Winkleigh to the Puffing Billy stop just the far side of Great Torrington. A few metres on the bus stop is on the corner). E.g. Either drive or take the 315 bus from Winkleigh to the Puffing Billy stop just the far side of Great Torrington. Torridge Tarka Trail - Walk - South West Coast Path The Puffing Billy Cafe Torrington | Torrington Date: January 17, 2009 Author: maggie2watson Category: car free, Cycling, Local Devon walks, Things to do Post navigation. This century-old steam train continues to run on its original mountain track from Belgrave to Gembrook in the magnificent Dandenong Ranges 40kms east of Melbourne. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Adjacent to the Tarka Trail, this character cottage for two is nestled in a picturesque wooded valley just outside Torrington. Popped in here after a visit to Dartington Crystal. sport cycling distance 20.84 ml energy 0 kcal ascent 0 m descent 0 m Notes Ride with Steve, Sunny cool day. 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. Tarka Trail Map - Tarka Trail Guide Watch out for the Giants in the Forest, put up in the trees in 2013 We only have one walk available for download at the moment but hope to add more over the coming months. 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.