Dear David,
Thank you for an excellent weekend! We loved every minute of our stay...the warm welcome, the fantastic breakfasts, great music, fabulous bar, but most of all your kindness and wonderful hospitality! Thank you and I hope to be back again very soon!
Lucy x
From:
David Lintern
(Thu 2nd May 2013 at 17:08)
David
We loved our stay in the Yurt, and your kindness in preparing us an excellent hot meal after a long day on the bikes was just outstanding.
Many, many thanks, and we'll be back once again en famille.
David, Aurelie and petit Jacob
From:
Paul
(Mon 15th Apr 2013 at 16:57)
Fantastic place.
David & his team work very hard to make your stay as pleasant as possible.
Nothing is too much trouble.
Great hospitality,beer,food & music!
From:
Richard Hammond
(Sat 9th Feb 2013 at 12:10)
Hi David, we gave you a mention in the Independent today for Best 50 Family Days Out this coming half term: http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/outdoor-activity/the-50-best-family-days-out-8483915.html
Best wishes,
The Greentraveller Team
greentraveller.co.uk
From:
Joe Burgess
(Mon 22nd Oct 2012 at 13:41)
David and team
Thanks again for a splendid weekend. Fine lodgings, delicious food and superb entertainment.
We will be back soon!
All the best
Joe and friends
From:
Simon & Linzi
(Wed 5th Sep 2012 at 22:04)
A wonderful discovery on our tandem cycle ride along the Tarka trail, just in time for lunch!
Brilliant burger and delicious ploughmans hit the spot and ensured continuing sense of humour for the rest of the ride despite tired legs!
Thank you, we would definitely go out of our way to eat or stay with you again.
From:
Berggrens
(Tue 14th Aug 2012 at 21:48)
Thank you for a great weekend. Our stay at the Bunkhouse, plus the absolutely fabulous meals (dinner and breakfast) were the highlight of our cycling weekend. We even managed to get in a couple of games of chess (king-size) and scrabble in between slices of apple pie and cider. Thanks again. We will be back.
From:
Karen Alred
(Mon 30th Jul 2012 at 22:46)
Very good budget accommodation on the Devon coast to coast route. A warm welcome and excellent home cooked food at the café. Green credentials are an added bonus. Relaxing and peaceful site. Our thanks to Charlie and Chris who were extremely helpful. Great location:)
From:
Bob Kim Barnaby Milo Trudie
(Sun 22nd Jul 2012 at 17:54)
Great hospitality, great food, great music,a brilliant weekend and base for the Taka trail.
From:
Caroline Lewsey
(Sun 15th Jul 2012 at 17:00)
David, the guy who owns and runs this place, is one of the nicest and most laid back people I have ever met. He will make you feel welcome at any time, and really cares about people. I have camped here a number of times, and thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
From:
Dan Unwin
(Tue 3rd Jul 2012 at 00:19)
Thanks to all for a lovely evening's accommodation, food & entertainment. Amazing pizza, atmosphere & welcome.
I'll certainly be back & will bring my family along to share the fun.
From:
Gurka
(Sun 24th Jun 2012 at 20:27)
Don't just read the comments on here, you really have to visit to realise the full potential of the whole environment. David,Chris and Charlie made the weekend a fantastic time. The food is excellent as are the yurts and Bunkhouse. The evening entertainment provided by Baz Bix was first rate and enjoyed by all in to the early hours.
David and his team make you feel like your part of the family, I hope to be spending many more long weekends here.
From:
Patty Callaghan
(Tue 19th Jun 2012 at 12:03)
Thanks to Chris for coming to our rescue on a very wet evening last Wednesday on the Tarka Trail. We were soaked to the skin and had a puncture that we just could not repair in all the rain. With another 15 miles to our planned stop for the night we were getting worried. The bunkhouse appeared out of the rain like a miraculous sanctuary. Shelter for the night would have been enough at that stage but beds, hot showers, a kitchen to cook our tea and make a brew - luxury!!
From:
Sarah and Jane
(Mon 14th May 2012 at 18:44)
Thank you to Charlie for a lovely supper and breakfast on Friday/Saturday while cycling the Tarka Trail and to David for the tip about returning to the Trail from Rosemoor. It worked a treat ! We highly recommend a stay at Yarde Orchard
From:
Amy Rawson
(Fri 4th May 2012 at 20:49)
Best bunkhouse ever! A winning combination with the bunkhouse and cafe. Thank you for looking after us so well with plenty of yummy food and pints of beer (and good music too)- much needed after our first day cycling the coast to coast bike ride. And the cooked breakfast stood us in good stead for the second day. We'll be back!
From:
Kieran Hennessy
(Sun 29th Apr 2012 at 18:49)
Would like to say a massive thanks to David, Charlie and crew at yard orchard. Had a fab stay in the yurt. Great food and cider. You won't be made more welcome anywhere else. Will be back soon for a music evening. Peace. Wez and Faye.
From:
Em Pocock
(Mon 23rd Apr 2012 at 11:09)
Thank you for the delicious lunch and tea yesterday - have been meaning to visit for a long while and finally we made it. We will be regulars from now - looking forward to one of your music evenings. And apologies for the saddle movement on the tandem - lets hope the photos do get a feature!!!
From:
Geoffrey Everett-Brown
(Wed 29th Feb 2012 at 20:35)
Arriving at Yarde is always a pleasure. David and Charley are welcoming and the events and food both varied and interesting. The recent event "What the cyclist saw" was a great day/night and should be repeated. Don't miss it next time.
From:
Diane Harris
(Tue 20th Dec 2011 at 00:25)
We had booked into Yarde Orchard bunk house whilst on the Devon C2C. We were lucky enough to find that the Autumnal menu was on that night. It was a great evening with Ruth Munday providing the entertainment with others joining in later on to make it a really enjoyable evening.
We returned, by car this time on a 400 mile round trip, for the Christmas feast and wasn't disappointed, the food was fantastic.
Thanks to Charlie for giving us the chance to taste such wonderful and varied menu.
We will be back. :-)
From:
Lewis (age 11)
(Sat 12th Nov 2011 at 18:26)
Last time I went to the Yarde Orchard Cafe I made my own apple juice. It was really really yummy and fresh and I was given it free! I loved it to bits and I'll be back and happy to pay :-)
From:
Chris Vincent
(Thu 3rd Nov 2011 at 09:24)
Hi. We are the Sustrans Volunteer Rangers who look after the Devon Coast to Coast Route, and very grateful we are too to have such a wonderful place to stop and rest.
We have added a link to our blog here for anyone to read. devonsustrans@wordpress.com
From:
Susan Lancaster
(Fri 23rd Sep 2011 at 13:41)
If only we'd cycled the extra mile (and read your notices on the trail!), we would have spent an enjoyable night's camping AND had some great food. Instead, we had to make do with a brilliant breakfast and coffee having left the 'other' campsite with empty stomachs. This is a wonderful place for cyclists and walkers and we hope to be back some day, perhaps luxuriating in a yurt or the bunkhouse.
From:
Jane Culpan
(Mon 19th Sep 2011 at 11:33)
Fantastic food and wonderful relaxed place to stay. This is a marvellous spot for refuelling on the Devon c2c. Am now thinking of a circular route based at Yarde Cottage to get more than one night here(stayed Sept 10 2011). Friendly, value for money. Stay here.
From:
The Alford Family & Friends
(Wed 7th Sep 2011 at 21:05)
We all had a great time on the bank holiday weekend, enjoying the Blues gig, eating your sumptuous supper, camping under the stars and feasting on freshly baked bread for breakfast!Chilled, friendly and relaxed!
And thank you so much for the use of your tent and for making the children so welcome too. x
From:
Michael Alford, aged 9 years
(Wed 7th Sep 2011 at 21:00)
The best cafe ever!
From:
James Wingrove
(Tue 16th Aug 2011 at 16:59)
Stopped for a lovely coffee and some cakes for the little ones. A wonderful place to stop on a bike ride. Looking forward to visiting again.
From:
Sioned
(Mon 15th Aug 2011 at 12:07)
Best Breakfast ever!!
We found the Yarde Orchard Cafe by accident as we cycled along the Tarka Trail, and the breakfast was amazing. Thank you Yarde Orchard - you made two tired cyclists very happy and gave us plenty of pedal power for the rest of the day.
We hope to come back soon for a longer stay :)
From:
Callum
(Thu 4th Aug 2011 at 21:52)
Stumbled across this cafe while cycling on the Tarka trail in August 2006. The vivid and fond memory of the place made me Google the name and I came across this site. I loved the friendly and different way in which it was run, the food and the commitment to sustainability made this cafe different to any that I have ever been to. My brother left a picture (Declan Sykes) of the Yarde Cafe and the people kindly stuck it on the wall. I'd be interested to know whether it is still there :)
Keep on doing what you're doing! And I hope to return someday
From:
Lauren and friends
(Mon 4th Jul 2011 at 17:17)
Wow what a wonderful weekend spent at an incredible gem of a place!
Where do I start? To sum up, beautiful yurts, relaxed vibes, friendly wonderful hosts, incredible food (I had the salmon lasagne and it was sooo good!) great music, brilliant value for money and only a 20 minute drive to the beach (and I can highly recommend lessons with North Devon Surf School at Westward Ho! beach too.) We will be back for certain with men and bicycles in tow (we went for a hen weekend so girls only)Thank you!! x x
From:
Robin from Colorado
(Tue 21st Jun 2011 at 14:37)
I discovered this place quite by chance while cycling the Tarka Trail. I was on my way to Somerset from Cornwall and got a little damp in the rain. What a fabulous little find. I really appreciate the intention of sustainability. It gives me hope.
David, thank you for all that you do...
From:
Michael Elsmere
(Mon 20th Jun 2011 at 17:40)
Yarde Bunkhouse has over the last three years become a delightful June pilgrimage for a gang of family and friends. As ever the weekend weather was variable with showers and sunshine but the Tarka Trail was as lush, beautiful and varied as ever.In the estuaries are wide skies and salt marsh with the poignant decaying wrecks of small boats, a reminder of the deep connection this area has to the sea and ships. Further inland are the sinuous curves of the rivers and rolling hills of Devon. Its truly a magical ride and yet at the end is even more magic! This year yet again Charlie and David welcomed us with a sumptuous vegetarian supper this time Mediterranean themed. Special praise went to the roast butternut squash with nut and gorgonzola stuffing but the moroccan potatoes were delicious as were a variety of salads. All this washed down with excellent red wine. After all this somehow we made room for Charlie's exotic version of bread and butter pudding with a creamy berry sauce whilst the kids with gusto went for meringue nests and berries!The Yurts were toasty, warmed by the wood stoves and there was no problem with getting to sleep! I woke to the glorious sound of a black bird in full song and midsummer sun seeping in through the window. The Yarde breakfast was a delicious start to the day and put us all (well most of us except those few who had over indulged a little in the Bergerac)in good spirits for the ride back to Barnstaple.Many thanks to David and Charlie once again for your work and vision. Yarde is unique and justly deserves its DEBI Sustainable Devon award.
From:
louise tomlinson
(Thu 2nd Jun 2011 at 11:26)
just come back from a fabulous couple of days, with a friend and my two children, i am so chuffed i found you, you have a real gem, great food, great location and my children had a great adventure, my friend and i are planning a cycling epic around fitting in another visit. cannot wait to come back.
From:
Amy Filburn
(Wed 1st Jun 2011 at 13:13)
I just wanted to say thanks for a lovely time. I stayed in the 4 bed bunk room (21st May) with 3 friends. Charlie, you were so welcoming. The accommodation was ideal and great value. The dinner, evening entertainment and breakfast were all fab. I look forward to my next visit.
Amy
From:
Glyn, Debbie, Louise & Sam
(Tue 31st May 2011 at 11:42)
We were part of the group of 16 mentioned below. As per the other guests we found this an excellent location for cycling, walking and generally lazing around. The accommodation is simple but comfortable, the location is beautiful & peaceful and the star of the show is the welcoming café with excellent food and drink.
One word of warning though. Should the genial mein host offer you a glass of Scrumpy, under no circumstances attempt to drink 3 pints of the stuff.
From:
Claire Chivers
(Wed 25th May 2011 at 21:54)
A wonderful place for a hen do, we booked out the whole bunk house which was perfect for what we wanted. The weekend was relaxed, friendly and fun. Thanks so much.
From:
chris, liz, sam and ben willstead
(Sat 14th May 2011 at 03:14)
We were in the same party with Graham, Julie,Antonia and William Smith. It was the best weekend we've had away in a very long time. The accommodation at the bunkhouse was perfect for all 16 of us and we didn't notice any real problems with the hot water or kitchen - it was good to have separate sittings for the 'adults' and teenagers. The welcome, food and drink were excellent and it was more like staying with old friends than at a guesthouse. I (chris) was particularly taken with the Rosie cider which certainly added sparkle to my visit. The music selection in the cafe was perfect for me but the only complaint was that Van Morrison at breakfast didn't stir me to get moving - but I'd happily have stayed longer! Thank you - I'm certain we'll be coming again if you'll have us.
From:
Graham, Julie, Antonia and William Smith
(Tue 3rd May 2011 at 13:59)
Arrived in sunshine which set the tone perfectly! We were one family out of a party of four families - 16 people in all. We spent three nights at Yarde Orchard - the blend of simple but comfortable accommodation, beautiful and peaceful location, the excellent food in the cafe, cider and real ale in the bar, and the warm and friendly welcome we received made this an exceptional long weekend. Downsides are the minimal hot water in the bunkhouse (so hot showers for 16 proved a real challenge) and the limited space in the bunkhouse kitchen to eat (we went for a split shift system...).
Highly recommended.
(Thanks for your kind message - please note the bunkhouse is really only set up for 14. - David Job)
From:
Jack russell
(Wed 27th Apr 2011 at 22:53)
David, Thank you so much for an amazing stay. Bunkhouse was great, but the breakfast and your company were outstanding .A morning that I will always remember!
From:
GLEN ATKINSON
(Wed 27th Apr 2011 at 21:53)
great...arrived...had a beer...unhooked panniers....pitched...what could be simpler
From:
Jenny Silverthorne-Wright
(Thu 10th Mar 2011 at 18:53)
Just returned home after a fabulous weekend staying in the bunkhouse for mine and Bruce's Birthday bash at the Cafe. We loved the atmosphere, the greenery and the twinkly lights, the delicious pizza and the huge breakfast the next morning! Thank you for accommodating us so comfortably in the family room and for making us feel so welcome; Yarde Orchard is a real gem of a place, and we will certainly be back soon!...And we'd love to play a gig in the Cafe again if you'll have us!!
From:
Jackie Johnston
(Mon 6th Dec 2010 at 13:53)
Myself and a group of friends have just returned from a weekend at Yarde Orchard and having sampled the delights of Charlie & Yasmine's cooking I felt the urge to comment! We firstly enjoyed a filling breakfast before our day's activities, and then in the evening returned to find the cafe tranformed with Christmas lights, candelabra on the table and a warm glow from the log burner.
Our Christmas meal was delicious, and great value for money.
The bunkhouse was comfortable and the welcome warm.
A great find!
From:
Nichola Raihani
(Mon 11th Oct 2010 at 10:16)
A huge thankyou to David, Charlie and all the other people at Yarde Orchard for helping to make my 30th birthday weekend so much fun! David and Charlie managed to feed and look after over 30 of us for the whole weekend, supplying us with the most amazing breakfasts, barbecue dinner and fantastic birthday cake. We all had a wonderful time and I am sure many of us will be returning. Cannot recommend highly enough!
From:
Biker Neal
(Wed 29th Sep 2010 at 18:34)
I was brought up on curry from a very early age, since I moved to Devon I've found that a good curry is very difficult to find.
So on my pursuit of tasty curry I stumbled upon the Yard Orchard curry night, its a really chilled place and after a hard days ride the local ale is a welcome treat.
The menu was Chicken Dhansak, Lamb Madras and even a goat curry! Feeling adventurous (possibly fuelled by the real ale!!) I went for the goat, it was delicious and the bombay potato was to die for.
Charlie and David are great hosts and accomplished chefs, can't wait to visit again Thanks !!
From:
karen and oliver
(Mon 27th Sep 2010 at 18:57)
We had a lovely morning snack here so thankyou :) hot chocolate, coffee and lemon drizzle cake. Yum :)
From:
Elaine & the girls
(Wed 15th Sep 2010 at 18:32)
Thanks, Charlie, for such a very warm welcome at the Yarde Orchard, for cooking us a wonderful dinner and breakfast - and helping me find where I'd left my purse in Okehampton!
We loved this fantastic place and we will be back.
From:
Charlotte Degueldre
(Thu 26th Aug 2010 at 10:56)
Bonjour,
Avec une vingtaine d'amis, les cyclistes de "On the raid again" (ils se reconnaîtront) , nous avons logé 3 nuits au Yarde Orchard début août. L'accueil était parfait, les lits confortables, la nourriture délicieuse et l'ambiance magique (ah! le petit concert à l'extérieur, illumé par un grand feu de joie...). Bref, on vous le recommande!
Thanks to David and his team
From:
Antony Crowder
(Tue 10th Aug 2010 at 22:18)
Stayed at Yarde Orchard twice whilst cycling c2c and back.
On the way up Charlie did us a wonderful Chilli! We washed it down with plenty of the real ale and slept soundly.
On the way back they had the Barbecue going. there was plenty of meat in all forms, not just burgers and sausage. We also had a good choice of salad and other accompaniments.
Both times the breakfast was incredible!!
Charlie and David are obviously passionate about environmetal issues but don't ram it down your throat - we were interested in their solar panels, composting, reed beds etc. and they were happy to tell us all about it - but don't worry, if you're not interested, they won't preach.
It's good to know that the food you're eating has been selected for its quality as locally as possible. We all had good appetites but none went hungry. We WILL return.
From:
Michael Elsmere
(Thu 1st Jul 2010 at 17:28)
Yarde Bunkhouse just gets better and better!We paid our second visit on Friday 25 June staying overnight.It was my daughter's birthday so there was a family group of 14. We had arranged party food beforehand and Jo,Charlie and Jasmine produced a superb meal of tapas (particularly orgasmic) lasagne, salad and strawberries and cream whilst David produced a number of bottles of great wine. Everybody slept soundly with Helen and the kids bagging the romantic yurt to themselves.We of course could not miss the great Yarde bunkhouse breakfast before wending our way back to Barnstaple. This place has it all superb setting, wonderful food and unbeatable service. We shall return!!
From:
Amanda King
(Thu 3rd Jun 2010 at 22:38)
Just had a fantastic bank holiday weekend camping at the Yarde Orchard on the Tarka Trail. Very friendly, welcoming staff and delicious meals and cakes. We all loved the Litehouse & IPA ales on tap and local ciders. Very impressed with the eco bunk house. Can't wait to come back in July and stay in your Yurt!
From:
Sally Reeve
(Mon 10th May 2010 at 10:44)
Having heard good things about Yarde Orchard we decided to take a weekend bike ride along the Tarka Trail and stay at the Bunkhouse. The weather could have been better - it was cold and drizzly - but our accommodation (in the 4 bed bunkroom) was warm, and David & Charlie's welcome was even warmer. The excellent evening meal was great value and filled the gap left by our day in the saddle, then we sat by the woodburning stove in the Lodge, and chatted until we couldn't stay awake any longer. The next morning we set off after a heart breakfast feeling refreshed and with the sort of glow you get from feeling you've struck gold. We will definitely be back!!
From:
The Smiths
(Tue 4th May 2010 at 10:15)
Just had a family weekend at the bunkhouse for our mother\'s 80th birthday. Everyone loved the place and Charlie\'s excellent food. We really enjoyed the local beer and cider. So friendly and welcoming. We\'ll be back!
From:
The YoYo's
(Fri 9th Apr 2010 at 17:05)
Called in having heard good things about the cafe, but the place exceeded our expectations. Great Place, Great Food.
From:
Emily and the gang
(Fri 13th Nov 2009 at 09:52)
As a group of twelve women we hired the bunkhouse for the first weekend in September 2009. We had a wonderful time, enjoying the cycling, and the surroundings. Everyone at Yarde Orchard was incredibly friendly and helpful and the food they put on especially for us on the Saturday night was spectacular. Thank you so much for a truly memorable weekend!
From:
Pauline Stone
(Tue 20th Oct 2009 at 20:36)
My husband and I (both OAP's) cycled part of the Tarka trail from the Puffing Billy to Meeth and back again in glorious weather last Saturday.(A total of 22 miles). After the continuous steady incline from the Pufing Billy it really was like an oasis to come across Yarde Cafe and we stopped again at the cafe on our return journey. There was a lovely children's party taking place using the outside BBQ and live guitar music. Thank you for providing the cafe in such an ideal place on the Tarka trail.
From:
Dave Smith
(Wed 14th Oct 2009 at 16:28)
We did the coast to coast ride and it coincided with David's birthday celebrations. We had a very friendly welcome and a thoroughly enjoyable evening with David's family and friends. We stayed in the yurt, great fun. Young Jordon raised over £500 for his sponsored ride.
From:
katy & paul
(Wed 17th Jun 2009 at 21:49)
Recently completed coast to coast cycle ride. Spent a most welcome night in the Bunkhouse - highly recommend the family room and comfortable brass bed. David was very friendly & couldn't have been more helpful. Yarde Orchard is a lovely place to stay & the cakes are to die for!!!
From:
Keren
(Tue 12th May 2009 at 19:12)
Just spent a great weekend here with a group of friends, cycling up and down the Tarka trail. The bunkhouse is very comfortable and well-equiped. The food in the cafe is delicious! I will be recommending it to family and friends.
Keren
From:
Dawn and Simon Veal
(Mon 22nd Dec 2008 at 19:53)
Simon and I and our children discovered Yarde cafe 4 years ago and have spent many happy hours at events held there. We love the food which is just so tasty and fresh and gives us lots of new ideas. We have brought friends to share the experience and would recommend anyone to meet,eat and try this lovely place.
From:
Everett-Brown and Gillard families
(Sat 25th Oct 2008 at 19:13)
24th October
Having cycled from Barnstaple with 3 young children on various contraptions we were all looking forward to a well earned rest and feed at Yarde. As expected the food and welcome were superb with not only David but also two of his children (Freddie and Lily)immediately engaging our kids with the important work of pressing apples for juice. The bunkhouse accomodation was very comfortable and cosy with everything we needed and the benefits of on site evening meal and breakfast were enjoyed by all. We look forward to returning soon and hope that Yarde Orchard and Bunkhouse thrive as they well deserve to do. Many thanks.
From:
Nigel and Lynn Dyson
(Mon 20th Oct 2008 at 21:47)
Yarde Orchard was at least a match for the superb weather we enjoyed on our Tarka Trail bike ride. The bunkhouse was very comfortable,clean and excellently equipped, and with thoroughly green credentials. Really good too to toast ourselves around the woodburner in the evening. We were served great food in the cafe for our evening meal and breakfast and made very welcome. A wonderful and thoroughly recommended overnight stop.
From:
Rob & Jill Daw
(Wed 15th Oct 2008 at 22:19)
A goup of us from Exminster rode from Braunton to East Yarde not quite knowing what the overnight stay at East Yarde would provide. We found the accommadation was more than up to the standard expected, with excellent showers and very comfortable beds. David provided us with an evening meal which was pleantiful and also very tasty. The following morning he again provided us with a brilliant "cyclist breakfast" all of which was organic. I have to say we all struggled to make our return cycle journey with the breakfast weighing heavy! If you are considering a stop over or a meal at East Yarde, then do not hesitate, you will find it exceptional. Well done David, but don't forget to feed Molly!
From:
Barry & Barbara Carr
(Tue 14th Oct 2008 at 21:01)
We had a great overnight stay with you. Accommodation was excellent for a group of people enjoying a week-end away. Beautiful, peaceful setting and the food was superb! Thank you for looking after us so well.
From:
Ian Dickerson
(Fri 26th Sep 2008 at 12:14)
Thank you so much. The facilities were fantastic and the whole class had a trip to remember. We will be back next year!
