Eating out around the Tamar Valley

There are a variety of places to eat at no great distance in and around the Tamar Valley ranging from rustic pubs with gardens and good wholesome food to more gourmet dining experiences.

Inns and pubs

The Olde Plough Inn (under 3 miles) in Bere Ferrers is the nearest pub offering appetizing freshly cooked food and local ales in an unspoiled old bar and a friendly atmosphere plus a garden with a background of the river Tavy for those sunny summer days.

An inn with consistently good pub food, friendly service and charming side garden is the Drake Manor Inn (4 miles) in pretty Buckland Monachorum just outside the peninsula. The drive there takes in the beautiful scenery around Denham Bridge over the Tavy.

Another bridge of note is Horsebridge built in 1437 on whose Devon bank sits the Royal Inn providing convivial surroundings with old oak beams and open fires and fresh fish daily. The inn lies at the end of long narrow lanes but it is worth the trek for the good pub food and the sight of the idyllic tree hung shallows of the Tamar's upper reaches where elusive otters hide.  

On the western flanks of Dartmoor the 15th Century Peter Tavy Inn offers an old world atmosphere with ancient beams and huge logburners alongside huge portions of skilful home-made dishes from fresh local produce. Helpfully they offer childrens' and pensioners' portions. On summer days the spacious garden comes into its own.

Restaurants

Nearby The Horn of Plenty (6 miles) with stunning views over the wooded valley hiding the former Devon Great Consuls mines provides high quality local and seasonal ingredients for a fine dining experience.

Off the beaten track at Milton Abbott is the beautiful Hotel Endsleigh (9 miles) once the Duke of Bedford’s summer retreat, now under the direction of Alex Polizzi of the Hotel Inspector TV programme fame where you can dine superbly or choose to partake of a fabulous tea seated outside drinking in the sun-filled views down to the river.

Slightly further afield impressive Lewtrenchard Manor Hotel whose history reaches back to the Domesday Book, has a reputation for fine dining amongst imposing Jacobean interiors.

 
Cafes

Tavistock has a wealth of places for a light bite and tea and coffee.

The Bedford Hotel besides excellent dining facilities provides morning coffee and afternoon tea in comfortable surroundings with the benefit of free parking.   

Bere Alston has two cafes both in the centre of the village:

Hope Cottage Cafe - 41 Fore Street - A pleasant café run entirely by friendly volunteers with a range of snacks from panini to home made cakes. Pretty walled garden for children to play.  Usually open 9-4 Mon to Fri 10-4 Sat to Sun but ring first to check 01822 840320 .

The Voting Tree - 1 Bedford Street - currently in transition to a pop-up cafe]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Weir Quay has a cafe :

The Yard Cafe  - in the boatyard. Friendly welcome and you can sit outside watching the river. Coffees/teas, soft drinks, locally-baked cakes. Light bites: bacon/sausage/egg baps, chips, soups. Ice creams/Smoothies   07594 221608  Open Thursday- Sunday, 10am - 4pm.