Lisa’s guidebook
Food Scene
Great family restaurant with a super friendly vibe. Locally sourced produce, great fish and vegan options.
37 locals recommend
The Riverside
30 Caen StreetGreat family restaurant with a super friendly vibe. Locally sourced produce, great fish and vegan options.
A local institution! This traditional family run fish & chip restaurant is serving simple dishes really well. Homemade mushy peas, tartare sauce and other sides make it a step above the rest. Judging by the queues everyone agrees!
75 locals recommend
Squires
1 Exeter RdA local institution! This traditional family run fish & chip restaurant is serving simple dishes really well. Homemade mushy peas, tartare sauce and other sides make it a step above the rest. Judging by the queues everyone agrees!
This fabulous little atmospheric French bistro is serving up the best French food we have ever eaten. It's our favourite!
13 locals recommend
The Corner Bistro
8 The SquareThis fabulous little atmospheric French bistro is serving up the best French food we have ever eaten. It's our favourite!
Trendy Barnstaple lunch spot serving up a small but perfectly formed menu. The best Pho we have ever tasted! Go there and try everything!
9 locals recommend
Block
12-14 Butchers RowTrendy Barnstaple lunch spot serving up a small but perfectly formed menu. The best Pho we have ever tasted! Go there and try everything!
Michelin restaurant, devine food for a special occasion. Book ahead!
29 locals recommend
Thomas Carr @ The Olive Room
63 Fore StMichelin restaurant, devine food for a special occasion. Book ahead!
Great breakfast/brunch/lunch cafe. Laid back surfy vibe.
20 locals recommend
Wild Thyme Cafe - Event & Hog Roast Catering
Caen FieldGreat breakfast/brunch/lunch cafe. Laid back surfy vibe.
Take your picnic blanket and bottle and grab an authentic Sri Lankan curry from the beach hut on the beach. Very popular with locals so get there before 6pm, when it's gone it's gone!
74 locals recommend
Barricane Beach
Take your picnic blanket and bottle and grab an authentic Sri Lankan curry from the beach hut on the beach. Very popular with locals so get there before 6pm, when it's gone it's gone!
Beachside Grill
SQ Bar and Restaurant
3 Exeter RdBustling family restaurant. Something for everyone.
Really glorious plates of food on the edge of Exmoor! Locally produced ingredients, imaginative cuisine, friendly service.
9 locals recommend
The Coach House by Michael Caines at Kentisbury Grange
Really glorious plates of food on the edge of Exmoor! Locally produced ingredients, imaginative cuisine, friendly service.
The Tarka Trail
Inspired by the route travelled by Tarka the Otter, this 180 mile, figure eight route traverses unspoiled countryside, dramatic sea cliffs and beautiful beaches. The southern loop incorporates the longest, continuous off-road cycle path in the UK. Walking or cycling, you can experience the best this beautiful area has to offer.
Starting from Braunton, I have made some recommendations for you so you can plan your day and get the most out of the trial.
Otter Cycle Hire
Start the Tarka Trial in Braunton and head to Velator, the start of the traffic free section. A small detour will take you to the new quay. Our children like to jump off this a high tide!
Velator
Start the Tarka Trial in Braunton and head to Velator, the start of the traffic free section. A small detour will take you to the new quay. Our children like to jump off this a high tide!
Sitting on the trial with lovely views across the estuary, this is a great refuelling stop. Park up your bikes for local ice cream, gorgeous cakes and great coffee.
6 locals recommend
waterside coffee house & bar tarka trail
Sitting on the trial with lovely views across the estuary, this is a great refuelling stop. Park up your bikes for local ice cream, gorgeous cakes and great coffee.
Estuary of Rivers Taw & Torridge
Head over the bridge on the cycle path at Barnstaple and join the trail on the other side of the Taw heading towards Instow.
103 locals recommend
Barnstaple
Head over the bridge on the cycle path at Barnstaple and join the trail on the other side of the Taw heading towards Instow.
Park your bikes again for your second refuelling stop and great views.
37 locals recommend
Fremington Quay
Park your bikes again for your second refuelling stop and great views.
Lovely vilage on the Taw/Torridge Estuary. Stop on the beach or sit in the dunes with an ice cream.
88 locals recommend
Instow
Lovely vilage on the Taw/Torridge Estuary. Stop on the beach or sit in the dunes with an ice cream.
Well worth a stop at this little cafe and grocery store. Strictly local produce!
29 locals recommend
Johns of Instow
4 & 5 Marine ParadeWell worth a stop at this little cafe and grocery store. Strictly local produce!
The Glorious Oyster
Nice spot if you fancy a pint or a glass of something chilled. Perch on the wall for a glorious view on the river.
21 locals recommend
The Quay
Marine ParadeNice spot if you fancy a pint or a glass of something chilled. Perch on the wall for a glorious view on the river.
The Boathouse, Instow
Marine ParadeBideford Pottery
RopewalkTea on the train! The cycle path runs alongside the side of the train. Interesting spot to find out a bit more about local heritage.
Bideford Railway Heritage Centre
4 Station HillTea on the train! The cycle path runs alongside the side of the train. Interesting spot to find out a bit more about local heritage.
Stunning views await you as you ride upstream along the river Torridge. Look out for Heron's and otters!
River Torridge
Stunning views await you as you ride upstream along the river Torridge. Look out for Heron's and otters!
Another lovely stop for a cream tea! Torrington bike hire and service centre is opposite which may be useful.
25 locals recommend
Puffing Billy Trading Co.
Another lovely stop for a cream tea! Torrington bike hire and service centre is opposite which may be useful.
Torrington Cycle Hire
1 Station HillActivities
Museum of British Surfing
Caen StreetBased at beautiful Putsborough Sands Nick is a well respected surf coach here in North Devon. If you'd like to learn to surf you'll be in good hands!
10 locals recommend
Nick Thorn Surf Coaching
Based at beautiful Putsborough Sands Nick is a well respected surf coach here in North Devon. If you'd like to learn to surf you'll be in good hands!
Croyde Surf Academy
Saunton Golf Club
Surfedout Saunton Sands
Surfboard hire on the beach.
Active Escape
Coasteering and rafting shenanigans!
Watermouth Cove Holiday Park
Hire some kayaks and explore the North Devon coast.
Learn to wakeboard (it's easier than you think with the help of the brilliant instructors here) or book an hour on the floating fun park or simply sit and watch the fun. Super friendly place, ice cream and simple food also available.
Wetsuits available to hire.
46 locals recommend
North Devon Wake Park
Learn to wakeboard (it's easier than you think with the help of the brilliant instructors here) or book an hour on the floating fun park or simply sit and watch the fun. Super friendly place, ice cream and simple food also available.
Wetsuits available to hire.
We are lucky to have this protected area on our doorstep. Worth exploring, lovely walks.
61 locals recommend
Braunton Burrows
We are lucky to have this protected area on our doorstep. Worth exploring, lovely walks.
Bluefin Charter Fishing Trips
The QuayCulture
Broomhill Art Hotel
Verity
Queen's Theatre
100 Boutport StThe Burton Art Gallery and Museum
Kingsley RoadSaunton Road Studios
24 Saunton RdGoldcoast Oceanfest
Beaches - The Golden Coast!
Saunton Sands
Croyde Beach
Putsborough Beach
Vention LaneWoolacombe Beach
Barricane Beach
Rockham Beach
Lee Beach
Tunnels Beaches
Bath PlaceWoody Bay
Instow Arms
Marine ParadeCrow Point
Westward Ho! Beach
Drinks!
SQ Bar and Restaurant
3 Exeter RdGreat cocktails!
The Rock Inn
Rock HillVillage pub, really good beer and food.
Legendary surfers pub! Good home cooked grub and cream teas. Generous portions!
66 locals recommend
The Thatch
14 Hobb's HillLegendary surfers pub! Good home cooked grub and cream teas. Generous portions!
Cream Teas!
Sandleigh Tea Room & Garden
Moor LaneSaunton Sands Hotel
Saunton RoadEnjoy the most stunning view as you take tea on the terrace.
The Coffee Cabin
22 The QuayThe Thatch
14 Hobb's HillBrook Stores
1W Saint Mary's RoadTea On The Green
Golf Links RoadFremington Quay
Johns of Instow
4 & 5 Marine ParadeBroomhill Art Hotel
Boston Tea Party Barnstaple
21-22 Tuly St