Puffing Billy Cafe — Restaurant in Torridge District

This cafe was at the mid-point of our bike ride and we were looking forward to a nice cup of tea, we queued in the one way system for 10 minutes and when we got to the front it appeared there was another queue forming outside, someone asked which queue they should stand in and the man behind the counter said "outside" then told me and the rest of our queue that we were in the wrong place and could we join the end of the other queue. I said that wasn't very fair as we had already queued and then I was told "if you don't like it you can jog on", and "we don't like rude customer so jog on". It was unbelievably rude and completely uncalled for. I was taken aback and asked who was in charge, the man said he was the manager and again told me to "jog on" much to the amusement of the other guy who was serving. We then left along with another family who were equally shocked. We did get a lovely cream tea in Instow by which time I just about forgot about this horrible experience.

Hi I've just read your response to my review, I note you said "I was rude to a customer and accused him of jumping the queue and was rude to yourself" well as I never spoke to another customer from start to finish or yourself until you rudely told me and the people in my queue to join the end of the other queue you have shown yourself to be a really horrible piece of work. You have also tried to turn this into being something to do with COVID which it isn't its just about you taking pleasure...

Laughable that this is called a hotel!! I could have bought a tent down and enjoyed more luxury. On first entry going up the stairs the formerly red carpet was completely black and filthy. We got to the room and there was 2 colours of carpet in the room, both of which were disgusting. The furnature was wrecked. I put my mobile on the bedside table and the table fell over. Tried to open the window, that was broken. Thought would watch some TV to pass some time, albeit difficult on a 12inch screen. Tried to connect to Netflix, that wouldn't work. Tried the WiFi, that didn't work. Nowhere to hang up any clothes and was actually concerned about what might crawl into them if I left them on the floor. The bathroom might as well have been lit by a candle. The water tank in the room was filling all through the night and if anyone used the bathroom I was actually concerned it would explode it was that loud. The breakfast food was out on the table when we arrived at 5.30pm the night before and the bread covered with clingfilm. God knows how stale that would be if you were brave enough to eat it. Can't believe I actually paid for this. Avoid and stay in a hostel instead. It...

Was a good place to eat and drink after a walk on the traka trail, plenty of tables and good service in my opinion the cheese scones could have been my cheesey and had a sweet taste which is little weird, pot of tea was good flavour and hot, cappuccino was warm not hot and flat white was very strong, but please remember these are my opinions and tastes. Over this is a lovely cafe and have a great menu range to chose from. I would recommend you give it a try.

Returned for tea and cake today Friday 28th of March 2025, had very tasty chocolate fudge cake, service was excellent our tea and cakes was brought out to our table by the most charming young lady, Sophia Warner she was 15 and on work experience, she was so lovely and a credit to the cafe and her family.

Back again on 9th June 2025, service was great from a really nice young man, coffee was super hot and excellent pot of tea, also had 2 toast and jam very tasty granary bread and real butter 🧈 simple but well presented follered by a slice of delicious bakewell tart. A really good treat after a 2 mile walk...