The Tarka Trail will take you through ancient villages, wooded valleys, along the banks of rivers, high over moorland with spectacular views of Dartmoor and Exmoor and along dramatic sea cliffs and vast expanses of beautiful beaches. The Tarka Trail is the perfect day ride. 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! The north loop travels up through Exmoor into Lynton and the Valley of Rocks then back along the coast. and the milk train traffic, freight trains and the occasional passenger special used the line until 1982. Any contributions from walkers interested in the area would be very welcome. The Tarka Trail is a 180 mile, figure-eight loop inspired by the route travelled by Tarka the Otter. The centre of the town therefore commands spectacular views, though lower-lying . 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. Returned here for lunch for the second time in a matter of months and it was even better this time. Thanks Luke Sargeant, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Find out more Enjoy a relaxing train journey between Barnstaple and Exeter, stopping Beautiful scenery and a warm welcome awaits at Instow. 1. Getting there:Either drive or take the 315 bus from Winkleigh to the Puffing Billy stop just the far side of Great Torrington. Puffing Billy is Australia's favourite steam train and one of the finest preserved steam railways in the world. It was busy, so we were glad we had reserved a table. 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. Walking or cycling, The Tarka Trail offers the best way to experience the beauty of North Devon. Puffing Billy to Bideford on the Tarka Trail. Boasting its own hot tub where you can relax and enjoy stunning countryside views, this is the perfect place to return to after an active day on foot or bike. Our salad is only a small garnish as advertised on our menu however upon your feedback I have made sure the kitchen team are aware of you comments and again are offering a value for money portion. Great Torrington is a friendly and welcoming town, with good local amenities, independent shops, cafes and regular local markets. 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. On grouping in 1923 the Torrington to Barnstaple line became part of theSouthern Railway. During the English Civil War, the town was of strategic importance and in 1646 was the location for the Battle of Torrington. A few metres on the bus stop is on the corner). We have taken all responsible steps to ensure that these routes are safe and achievable by people with a reasonable level of fitness. puffing billy tarka trail. A passenger service operated until 1965 when the line again reverted to carrying goods only until the line through Torrington was closed completely. The route then takes you up the Torridge Estuary, passing Instow and Bideford. 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. Read our fundraising promise. There are lots of great places to eat and drink along the way, too. The Italian-themed menu is a crowd-pleaser wed recommend the thick and gooey cioccolata. Select your desired options and 'Save' then copy & paste the code into your website. The Tarka Trail runs close the house, so you couldnt be closer to the action. 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. Not cheap, but reasonably priced, tasty coffee which is hot and reasonable choice of cakes etc. Where to stay? The well-marked, 180-mile Tarka Trail winds through undisturbed countryside and is inaccessible by car. Just enjoyed a delicious and plentiful carvery at the Puffing Billy, and definitely a bargain. Ride with Steve, Sunny cool day. 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. The bread was pretty low quality and the salad is just a sprinkle of rocket and some tomatoes/cucumber. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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 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. more. 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. 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. The Tarka Trail takes you right to the old station, where theres a cafe in an old carriage (summer months and some weekends). 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. m, descent Attend, Share & Influence! Break up the journey with a visit to Yarde Orchard Cafe at East Yarde. Great Torrington. The entire route is centered around the ancient market town of Barnstaple, the principle town in the North Devon region. If youre looking for a fun day out in Devon that all members of your family will enjoy, wed recommend heading to the Tarka Trail. sport cycling distance 20.84 ml energy 0 kcal ascent 0 m descent 0 m Notes Ride with Steve, Sunny cool day. Made from an upcycled 1930s sailor's dormitory, this quirky cafe has an eco-friendly focus and champions local food. It extends for 180 miles. Open daily with free entry to passengers and visitors. The Puffing Billy Trading Co. occupies the Victorian railway station, full of railway memorabilia and original features. In the evening, bats hunt for moths along the river bank. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. We called in here for our halfway stop having cycled 21 miles from Braunton and what a pleasant surprise. This article focuses on the fourth and final section of the trail (12 miles), from the Puffing Billy caf at Torrington to Meeth. The Tarka Trailis part of the National Cycle Network, cared for by Sustrans. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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 . Guests are welcome to use the wetsuits, bodyboards, wellies and prawning sets which is all provided! 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. . Claire and Jade are the current owners, and having spent a lifetime (or more!) Stopped here on a Cycle rather than Fremington Quay and massively regretted it! 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. Zoom in to see updated info. Theres ample cycle storage and lovely views over the river, plus the highly Instagrammable interior will please any teen cyclists in your peloton. Chill out in the suntrap garden with an all-day breakfast what better way to refuel for the journey home? Subscribed to personalized events updates! Puffing Billy Station Hill, Great Torrington EX38 8JD England +44 1805 623050 Website Menu Closed now : See all hours See all (67) 4.0 344 Travellers' Choice 2022 RATINGS Food Service Value Details PRICE RANGE 397 - 596 CUISINES British, Cafe Special Diets Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options View all details You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Will be back soon, hopefully! The old railway station at Torrington is an ideal place to start your Tarka Trail adventure. Beginning in the pretty village of Braunton, the route is incredibly easy to follow. to Fremington Quay . Explore fantastic walking and cycling routes across the UK. 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. Facebook. 2 hours 33 minutes 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. Find on the map and call to book a table. 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. 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. Watch out for kingfishers and herons. 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. If you're already a supporter please login to enable the layer control. 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. This large family home sleeps six and has plenty of space for a group or family to have a comfortable break. Specialising in great food made with local ingredients, it's worth visiting for the roasts alone! cycled from Barnstaple . | Registered office Travel Chapter House Gammaton Road Bideford EX39 4DF Company No. Absolutely delighted to create this fully funded programme with Active Devon and Torridge District Council this Spring at Skern Lodge. . 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.