New farm restaurant opened in the heart of the Tamar Valley

A new farm restaurant has opened its doors, offering local food and beautiful views in a location which has been thoughtfully designed and built with sustainability and the landscape in mind.

Based at Harlings - a working farm in Bere Alston - the café has been created using repurposed shipping containers and a wide range of recycled and reused materials. Local tradespeople were involved throughout the build, and local suppliers provided materials wherever possible. Today, the café continues that approach by employing people from the surrounding area.

The menu uses seasonal ingredients and supports local farmers and producers. Much of the food comes from nearby, helping to reduce food miles while supporting the local economy.

The farm itself is home to a range of rare breed and British native animals. These are carefully looked after as part of ongoing conservation work, helping to protect breeds that are becoming less common. These animals - particularly the Shetland Ponies - are used in educational, training and therapeutic work through the farm’s Community Interest Company (CIC), Daniel’s Ride, who also provide Education Otherwise Than At School.

Daniel’s Ride CIC works with a range of groups. It supports young people and adults with special educational, emotional neurodiverse and physical needs. Their work has also helped those from local women’s units, individuals in drug rehabilitation, and those living with dementia. The Daniel’s Ride team have recently won an award from the National Lottery Community Fund, and The Nineveh Charitable Trust, to help support their work.

The restaurant plays an important role in supporting this work. Income from the business helps everything to continue and grow, linking the day-to-day running of the café with the support offered through Daniel’s Ride.

Abbie Richardson, who owns and founded Harlings and Daniel’s Ride CIC, along with Will Richardson, said: “We wanted to create a place where people feel welcome and comfortable. Good food is part of that, but it’s also about being connected to where it comes from and what we do here. The café helps us support more people through the farm for education, training and wellbeing visits.”

The café is now open and welcomes visitors looking for good food, a relaxed setting, and a chance to support local businesses and people.

Opening times: Friday – Monday from 09:00 – 16:00 (last hot food orders at 15:00).

Location: Harlings, Bere Alston, Yelverton, Devon PL20 7JD

More information: www.harlings.co.uk/eat and www.danielsride.org.uk.