Here’s a list of what’s open to help you plan your days out from Wheatland Farm as lockdown eases. Let us know what we should add as you find it!
Out and about, spring 2021. Cafes, pubs and services.
Organised roughly in order of distance from the eco lodges.
Fiona’s Farm Shop – just up the road from Wheatland Farm and still taking orders and serving. Open 10-3pm https://www.facebook.com/FionasFarmShop/
Kings Arms Winkleigh (2 miles from Wheatland Farm) – open for outdoor meals and drinks Monday and Tuesday – 4pm – 10pm, Wednesday and Thursday – 4pm – 11pm, Friday and Saturday – 12pm – 11pm, Sunday – 12pm – 10pm. These times are likely to be extended as lockdown eases further. Book a table. 01837 682681 Email: info@kingsarmswinkleigh.co.uk
Seven Stars Pub, Winkleigh (2 miles from Wheatland Farm) – is open for table service outside in the garden. This is more of a drinking pub than a boutique eatery!
Sam’s Cider, Winkleigh (2 miles from Wheatland Farm) – the cider shop is open 9-5 as normal (masks required of course). Find it on the Hatherleigh Road, just as you leave the village.
Eggesford Crossing Café (4 miles from Wheatland Farm). Closed Sundays and Mondays, but open the rest of the week from 9am until 1pm. Has outside tables. 01769 581427. A good stop if you’ve gone for a walk at Haywood.
Chulmleigh bakery, tucked away in a side street. Half days Wednesday and Saturday, closed Sunday, 01769 580228 and they’ll take a reservation for pasties over the phone. https://www.facebook.com/Thechulmleighbakery/
The Ram’s Head in Dolton (about 7 miles from Wheatland Farm) – a pub serving fine food. Currently opening Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You’ll need to book as outside space is limited. https://www.ramsheadinn.co.uk/ 01805 804255 or via their website. Dolton is about 7 miles from Wheatland Farm, and close to the Devon Wildlife Trust’s reserve at Halsdon.
The Duke of York at Iddesleigh (about 8 miles from Wheatland Farm) – currently open Friday Saturday Sunday noon to 7ish for outdoor food and drink – weather permitting as outdoor seating is limited. 01837 810253 https://dukeofyorkdevon.co.uk/ More hours from 17 May.
New Inn Sampford Courtenay – open for lunch and dinner from 29th April – you need to book a table in their large beer garden and follow their covid protocols. Book by phone only on 01837 82247.
One Market Street Hatherleigh – this is one of our favourite coffee stops, and is currently open for takeaway only. Tuesdays & Fridays 9.00am – 2.30pm and Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays 9.30am – 2.30pm. 01837810582.
The Burrow Community Shop Exbourne (about 12 miles from Wheatland Farm) – is open 9am until 5pm but the café remains shut. You can get take out coffee and fairly simple sandwiches from the shop (and the usual sorts of corner shop supplies).
The Tors Inn at Belstone – Outdoor BBQ kitchen open Thurs to Sun 12pm to 8pm. 01837 840689. No bookings – take a blanket if you’re worried about getting a bench. For indoor dining, book a table from 19th May (bookings open 17th May 2021). https://thetorsinn.co.uk/
Puffing Billy Pub at Torrington (on the Tarka Trail) (about 15 miles from Wheatland Farm) Open 10am-4pm (closed Wednesdays) offering breakfast, sandwiches, chips, hot drinks and cold non-alcoholic drinks in the garden. https://www.facebook.com/PuffingBillyTradingCo/
Yarde Orchard Café, on the Tarka Trail, open 10am until 4pm Wednesdays through to Sundays (plus Bank Holiday Mondays). https://www.facebook.com/YardeOrchardCafe/
The North Devon Wakepark – open for wet days out in the spring sunshine. Near Bideford. Book online.
John’s Deli at Instow (on the Tarka Trail) – has a beach kiosk café and outdoor tables, and there’s always the seafront wall. This shop does lovely Deli food and will be open. You can order from the Deli online too – however it looks like this needs to be the day before. https://www.johnsofinstow.co.uk/ This is a great stop on a ride from Puffing Billy or Bideford to Instow on the Tarka Trail.
Fremington Quay (on the Tarka Trail) – is open and has access to huge outdoor space, no bookings needed. https://www.facebook.com/fremington.quay/
Atlantic Bay fish and chips, Westward Ho! – Sometimes we go to Northam Burrows car park and walk into Westward Ho! for the fish and chips at Atlantic Bay. You can book a 5 min collection slot via their website https://atlanticbayfishandchips.com/ Apparently, covid does have a silver lining – we used to have to queue.
Boatyard Bakery, Exeter Canal Basin – a hidden gem to find during a city day or a day biking the Exe Trail. Don’t get confused with the restaurant right next door (not that there’s anything wrong with it). The Bakery does ‘city style’ coffee and lovely take away things to eat. It’s easy to find somewhere to sit around the canal basin, or walk or bike a bit further into Exeter’s riverside open spaces.
Double Locks pub in Exeter – you’ll need to book and you can do this online. This is a busy pub on the Exeter canal that has always specialised in outdoor beer garden eating, and it’s up and running again. https://www.doublelocks.com/
Topsham Ferry – is operating. This means you can still cross the Exe if you’re doing part of the Exe Trail. See the Port Authority’s facebook page for times. https://www.facebook.com/ExeterPortAuthority/
TeignBean mobile café trailer – often at Starcross, on the Exe Extuary Trail. https://www.facebook.com/TeignBean/ Apparently, the blondies alone are worth the bike ride from Exeter. That’s according to a random stranger, met in a car park, who was enthusing!
The Turf – the pub at the end of the Exeter Canal. It’s open for outdoor food (but closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Book a table by email info@turfpub.net (indoor tables from 17 May). Note – you pretty much have to go there by bike. There’s no parking.
Block, in Butcher’s Row, Barnstaple is a lovely little restaurant and highly recommended when restrictions lift, but is currently only doing ‘lush food at home’ curb collection in the evenings, 4-8pm. Might be useful if you’re planning on coming back from a day out in North Devon, particularly as it has vegan options.
Coming soon…
Starcross Ferry (to Exmouth) starts running 1 May. This is the link across the Exe if you’re biking the Exe Trail loop. Check facebook for timings as some crossings are cancelled because of tide. Face masks absolutely compulsory on the ferry. Note, there are steps over the railway to get to the ferry (if you’re biking, you’ve got to be able to carry it across). https://www.facebook.com/StarcrossExmouthFerry/
Lymington Arms, Wembworthy (2 miles from Wheatland Farm) – planning to open from 17 May
The George, Hatherleigh – possibly reopening in May 01837 811755
The Red Lion, Exbourne (about 12 miles from Wheatland Farm) – re opens 21 June 2021.
Red Lion Chulmleigh – closed until the end of June 2021.
The Railway Inn, North Tawton – opening 10th August 2021. This is a ‘local’ pub and a bit of a hidden gem and a blast from the past – does good salads! No dogs allowed inside. Book a table on 01837 82789.
Not such good news from old favourites….
The Royal Oak, Dolton – not picking up the phone, and no updates online.
‘Tea On The Train’ at Bideford’s old station – sadly has closed until a new team can take it on. But just across Bideford Old Bridge you’ll find the normal array of small town shops.
The New Inn at Roborough – appears to be closed (since September 2020)
Stationmaster’s Café Barnstaple (on the Tarka Trail) – appears to be closed. But since you are in Barnstaple by this point, finding some food shouldn’t be too tricky.