Mad Hatters Restaurant in Torridge

I understand that the garden centre was up for sale but has been taken off the market. It used to be a welcoming place to visit but now run down. The restaurant used to be very good,plenty of waiting staff but supervision is letting them down. The food wasn't particularly good it took a long time to arrive and when it did it was tepid,we won't return.

Lovely little spot on outskirts of Bideford and near the cornish border. Nice atmosphere and the gnome walk is a bit of fun.

We visited the Mad Hatter’s restaurant for a hot chocolate and a cake. They were delicious and the staff were friendly. We also visited the Gnome Reserve, which was free.

Nice place to buy a gift or plant. The food in the restaurant was very disappointing, it was overpriced, tasteless and lukewarm.

We were amazed to be asked to pay £18 for four simple white coffees, nothing special, no biscuits on the side. This was a ridiculous price, it's Devon, not London, but it seals it, we won't be back . No wonder tourist numbers are down.

The café was fine but what was fun (and made the visit worthwhile) was the (free to entry) Gnome Garden. There were literally hundreds of gnomes (of all sizes) dotted around the landscaped garden.

The most expensive Latte we have had to date!!! Not that wonderful … served without sugar if you needed it! We went on a Sunday morning to look around the Garden Centre and hav a coffee …. As we enter there’d the restaurant we were told in a very unfriendly manner we had to sit at the furthest point in the restaurant as it had been prepared for Sunday lunch! It was not lunchtime!!! One table was available in the furthest corner! We sat and waited for quite a while before we were asked what we wanted, then waited 10/15 minutes for our coffee! Not the best coffee in town by far …. And I am not talking about ‘multiples’ either! We never frequent! On paying we were aghast at the price charged …. A good £1.30 over any price we have paid and not such friendly surroundings! We felt we were not valued customer … so will not be visiting again …. Sadly this is local to us too!

Went here and made the mistake of eating !!! I chose a ham and cheese flatbread but the flatbread was solid and needed snapping to eat it. The chopped up ham was very dry covered in greece from the cheese. This place is expensive and the food quaility falls far short of the price... I would not recommend this place but would recommend you just keep driving...

Had a fantastic visit here on our holiday. Found out about this garden centre online and thought we would come and visit. Lovely garden centre, including homemade and local produce foods, Christmas decorations and gifts as well as a cafe. The highlight is the gnome sanctuary, which is a lovely walk around the garden. It is well maintained and lots of fun spotting all the different characters. We would definitely return if we came to Bideford again!

My husband wanted a table by the window. One had a reserved sign on which was fine but there was one free which my husband asked for. He was promptly told that the table was reserved for people with dogs. It seems very strange to turn away custom because you don’t have a dog. We had our granddaughter though. Very bizarre.

Fab menu 😊 such a great little oasis of garden centre and restaurant. Great menu, great service, friendly staff, worth a visit if you are in the area. And totally dog friendly.

My wife and I had poached egg on toast. The eggs were overdone and had a funny taste to them. For the prices they are charging the quality is just not there.

After a long traips through the rest of the store, we found the restaurant. I realise this is good marketing psychology, so that you see something on the way you want to buy, but hard on the disabled. Seats are hard wood. We had coffee and cake, which was O.K., but there was no sugar on the table and as we take sugar, I asked for it. The waitress came and doled out one sugar when we asked for another, the waitress looked askance, but reluctantly doled out another one. When I said "please may we have another", she looked askance and nearly didn't give us one. This has never happened to us before. Sugar is usually on every table, not doled out with ill grace as if we were miscrreants. So coupled with this and the fact that you have to drive down a slit trench to get there, we will not be going again.

We always pop here when at Bideford Bay. There is the usual garden centre selection of plants, gardening stuff and gifts. Nice Cafe which has outdoor seating too. The Gnome Reserve has moved here so there is a little walk through the gardens with gnomes scattered all around. The gardens are beautiful though small

Called in today (27th June) & popped into the restaurant for a coffee & a light bite to eat. We were told that we couldn't have breakfast as they stopped serving at 11.30 & we couldn't have lunch either, as they don't start service until 12 noon. So we choose to order 2x Cappuccinos & 2x toasted T-Cakes. The T-Cakes were absolutely bland & dry. Not sure if they were toasted or just warmed up. We were very disappointed & worse was to come, we were charged over £17.... £4.95 each toasted T-Cake which had no flavor & very dry/bland. We've been coming to Merry Harriers for nearly 30yrs & we feel in this current climate this is an absolute rip off. We did mention our dissatisfaction to the waitress on paying & we were told she pass on our comments!

Extremely poor and rude restaurant staff, even though they say they’re dog friendly this member of staff clearly didn’t like dogs. She said.,. You sit in the conservatory or outside with the dog now!

A great place for lunch. Very welcoming and dog friendly. Staff were absolutely brilliant. Our dogs were treated better than us🙂 The food was very good as was the atmosphere in the restaurant. Oh and don't forget to wander around the gnome garden

This review is based mainly on the restaurant, I rated 5 for The restaurant, well that’s a gem, really good Sunday lunch absolutely delicious food, meats were tender and a good selection. Excellent Value for money, really prompt service with excellent staff who couldn’t do enough to help. We had a great meal . Thank you As for the shop, clearly dated in need of TLC. Retail side definitely needs attention. Also just a suggestion. Remove all the unhelpful ‘negative signage’ it’s extremely unhelpful. That’s my honest thoughts of my visit. We definitely hope to return to the restaurant.

Th garden centre has something for everyone and the restaurant is efficiently run by some very friendly staff. We were unaware of the award winning Sunday carvery they serve so when we arrived at the door, we saw it was really busy. We asked about...

Booked Sunday roast for mothering Sunday. We were greeted and seated very quickly and ordered our drinks. We were told after a short wait we would be invited up to the carvery. After about 15 mins we were invited up, the food was excellent and...

Decided to come here for lunch as we hadn’t been in a while, and wish we hadn’t bothered. The fried eggs were hard the meal was just Luke warm and not very nice at all. So very disappointed. Will not be coming back.

One mouthful was enough. A dry overcooked vegetarian wellington- the filling had disappeared, the pastry was like cardboard and virtually impossible to cut. The whole thing was swimming in a flavourless liquid with soggy frozen vegetables. Overall a totally disgusting meal. We were not charged...

I took a 92 year old friend to Merry Harriers for lunch last week as a pre birthday treat. She thought that it was just going to be the 2 of us but I had arranged for 9 other friends to join us as a...

Popped into garden centre to pick up small gift for a friend and thought we would grab a coffee in the restaurant. As previously we were greeted by a lovely lady called Barb and sat at a table with a great view of the very...

A lovely garden centre with a great restaurant. There is a gnome garden for the children and a play area (supervision is required as the gnomes are around a sort of deep pond). Dogs are allowed in the garden area and inside. Lots of different...

Great garden centre with a wide range of items including plants toys gifts with a great craft area where you can get handcrafted items at reasonable prices . I have eaten on more than one occasion in the restaurant and enjoyed a above average cream...

Went to cafe at lunchtime all hard wooden seats so uncomfortable seating had Sandwich and Coffee not nice to have stale bread I wouldn't eat that at home, especially when a sandwich is over £8 made complaint waitress response O Dear and walked away. 1...

Thirteen of our family had a personalised table set up for Jodie’s 28 th birthday. We enjoyed a great selection of High Tea goodies including warm freshly baked scones carefully baked by their master chef Edward. Great grub, lovely setting and attentive staff. A most...

Booked 13 people for high tea , Edward and the rest of the staff could not have been more helpful , the scones ,cakes and sandwiches were plentiful And even with all of us ,we just had to take some away . The restaurant is...

Stopped here for lunch. The restaurant was clean, with particular emphasis on wiping down the tables as soon as they became vacant. The staff were friendly and there were some good menu choices.

The venue is clean and tidy, but dated. We noticed an array of light fittings for sale hanging from the ceiling in one area, which is reminiscent of a British Home Stores display, and really has no reason to be in a restaurant. We ordered...

Popped in for a bite to eat. Not very busy. Entrance sign said wait here to be seated. Waited about 10 mins but ignored. No acknowledgement from guy at counter so walked out. Don't think I will be visiting again in a hurry.

We always come here for a girls' christmas lunch. We will be going elsewhere next year. We all planned to enjoy our early lunch, then stock up on presents etc in the retail section and buy our trees at the end. The restaurant was cold....

On holiday in North Devon we kept coming across a sign for the Merry Harriers and decided to visit and so glad we did. It is a garden centre with a restaurant that do a very popular mid week roast but we were there for...

Sunday carvery with a choice of 7 vegetables was great. Went back for lunch during the week too and were not disappointed!

We had to leave early because of the continuous barking of dogs. You are a food outlet, clothes outlet and children's toy outlet and I cannot believe that you allow dogs into your establishment. I am afraid that you have lost this family as well...

Great carvery and fast and friendly service. The only down side the restaurant was cold and the shop even colder. Hence you lost a star Come on guys at your prices you can afford to turn the heating up to make eating and shopping a...

Met up with friends for lunch food was really tasty well presented and the staff we’re attentive and pleasant. Garden centre good with good choices and knowledgeable staff

One of the best garden centres i have visited, the restaurant is first class and the staff are courteous and helpful, we called here whilst on holiday a real find.

Lucky find on way home from holiday. Delicious breakfast, not cheap but fresh and delicious. Lovely staff and even a dog biscuit for out pooch. Helpful with regard to allergies. Enjoyed gnome walk.

Love this place especially all the plants, we've been away for so long and couldn't wait to visit again. It has changed since we were last able to come out and its still very nice and our favorite lady to help us with the plants...

Waited an hour for drinks in the cafe and when we came to pay was told the price of drinks would be taken off the bill. Tasteless food and when I checked we had been charged for our drinks. Won’t be going back in a...

Absolutely loved the gnomes, we had been to the previous gnome reserve and was quite sceptical about visiting as didn’t want memories to be tarnished but they had laid them out perfectly. I would recommend bringing a pack lunch as the cafe is expensive and...

the vast range of plants to purchase lovely garden gnome trail a wide variety of all garden furniture types and styles, bought some great wood chimes

We visited here on a rainy Sunday. Lots to look at in the garden centre and the staff were all friendly and attentive. We chanced the busy restaurant for tea and cake and we were seated straight away. I had a huge scone with cream...

Not a particularly inspiring layout. Plenty on display but items difficult to find and no staff on hand to help or explain. Guy operating till exceptionally rude when asked a question. I think his grunt was a no but could't be sure. Centre tucked away...

Was on our way back to Westward Ho from Port Isaac and saw this signposted. Hard job parking as a very busy place. We managed to get a table quickly. A good and varied menu and at a decent price. The food was top job,...

One of the best garden centres I’ve enjoyed with a beautiful restaurant attached. The best bit was the gnomes all around the pond and garden seated area for outside dining. The kids would love it!!

I have visited here for many years and have always loved it. My daughter and I recently came for lunch which was understandably only allowed outside in the lovely gardens due to COVID restrictions. We accepted that the menu was reduced but could not accept...

Popped in here for a mooch around and a coffee, ended up having a breakfast bap sat by the lake... lovely chilled out peaceful restful spot... not very busy and the brekkie bap was very tasty. Will definitely return and thoroughly recommend Merry Harriers 👍

Found the Merry Harrier by chance and stopped for lunch. We should have booked in advance but hadn’t known we were going to be there. Fortunately they keep a couple of tables for casuals and we got one. Social distancing was strictly enforced and all...

Absolutely fantastic. Couldn't fault our breakfast with Santa this morning. Friendly staff, socially distanced tables, very prompt table service. Santa was excellent, spoke to every table, and it was lovely to see the children's faces light up as they chatted excitedly. Fantastic value too.

The staff here are very professional and super friendly and the place was immaculately clean with all staff wearing masks. The setting is pleasant enough but decor is a bit tired. We came here for a breakfast treat but as a vegetarian I was very,...

We'd booked a table to meet up with some friends for Sunday lunch. Lovely welcome on arrival and shown to our table. Felt very Covid safe and clean. Great service, all the staff work very hard to keep you happy and safe. Excellent carvery with...

We booked for a Sunday lunch and came back again during the week as it was so good. Both being vegetarian but loving a slap up roast dinner we loved the nut roast topped with feta. That came with a Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, red...

We visited the garden centre which was lovely, and while there we had a cup of tea and cake in the restaurant. Everything was ok, but nothing special, there were lots of empty tables when we arrived but instead of seating us at a nicely...

We stumbled across this garden centre / restaurant while we where looking at a property in the area. We had lunch one day at the Mad Hatters restaurant which was excellent, and so the next day when we where going home, we had the breakfast...

Lovely cafe with gorgeous outdoor seating in the garden with a lovely pond. Didn’t see the kingfishers today sadly but hear they are regular visitors. It was quiet when we went but the staff were all friendly efficient and good with Covid regulations. Hubby had...

Our brunch was absolutely fine, simple but good food (particularly good given it was half price - thanks 'eat out to help out' scheme), to be honest I was just happy to eat something cooked by someone other than me! For one of my first...

As ever the staff were welcoming if not a little unprepared especially since they have been open for sometime during these difficult times. We choose to sit outside, staff wore visors however our breakfast was bought by the owner-Lorna whose customer skills have been recorded...

We arrived at 2:30 just after lunch but were offered their cream tea and snacks.. well the high tea was fabulous,beautiful tasty sandwiches and then a mass of gorgeous cakes, scones and a blackcurrant tart to die for! They have an amazing gluten free option...

We called in here last Saturday for a mooch and decided to stay for lunch. It was fairly quiet for a Saturday but it is February after all. The staff were very attentive and efficient. Food was fresh cooked and lovely. We only had jacket...

First visit to Merry Harriers. Had a lovely lunch in their restaurant. Freshly cooked food and very friendly staff. Definately be visiting again.

Lovely restaurant always looks clean and tables niceky decorated with fresh flowers. Service quick, choice of set menu or other choices. All had different meals, sandwich, veg curry, chicken pie, jacket potato, ham, egg and chip's. All served with garnishes . Think must be new...

This is no ordinary garden centre. Apart from the terrific range of plants, pots , garden stuff etc, it has a really nice restaurant. We spent several hours here and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Food was very good and service was friendly and spot on.

The Carbonara tasted awful, my partner loves this dish and whether or not it was from a packet, it tasted like it was. The bacon that should be part of the dish, was none existent bar one piece of bacon fat. The linguine was to...

We treated ourselves to a little indulgence whilst on holiday but this was such a great treat . Sandwiches from the most delicious fresh bread with no crusts, side salad, scones, sliced and iced flapjacks, chocolate sponge cake and lemon sponge too . All served...

What a little gem .loads of parking space ,lots of things to look at and the restaurant clean and quirky and very reasonably priced .

Delicious food enjoyed by all the family. A cream tea, sausage sandwiches and a BLT. All fresh food. The staff were friendly, helpful and nothing was too much trouble. Even though the breakfast menu was finished they were happy to cook my son a sausage...

We were here with the grandchildren, who revelled in the ice creams. Served in dishes, with generous helpings of different tastes, we all enjoyed them. Friendly staff were a bonus, plus a very attractive garden to walk in, and a small play area for younger...

We visited here whilst on holiday and were lucky to get a picnic table right by the little play area, which our three year old loved. We had a buy one get one free voucher for cream tea and were offered choices of tea vs...

Na een wandeling door het tuincentrum met alles wat je ook maar kan denken voor het onderhoud van de tuin...

Popped in with family with the intention of having a meal. Two of us had a pot of coffee whilst the others shopped. Whilst it wasn’t overly busy we waited ages to be acknowledged and ages for our coffee. The staff appeared surly. Wouldn’t visit...

We have been to the Merry Harriers for Sunday lunch many times, usually just the two of us and sometimes with family and friends. We have always had an excellent meal, a choice of three meats, a vegetarian option and a good selection of vegetables...

I took my family all 17 of them out for a Sunday meal as I’ve eaten there beforehand and always had a good meal ,I was greeted with the usual polite lady saying this way sir ,the table was set up well we ordered drinks...

We visited partly for the plant sales but partly to take advantage of Monday being a "special offer" day in the restaurant. The beautifully appointed room was almost full when we arrived and I wondered about how they were coping. No need to fret, sit...

If I could give this place a 0 out of 5 I would! I have been to the venue a few times before for food etc and as I am getting married this year, I decided to book their function room for a Sunday carvery...

Stopped here for a light lunch. Food was very nice, had sandwiches for two which was very good quality and well presented. However our drinks were missed and came after we had finished our food. Mentioned our missing drinks to waiter as our food was...

We visited the nursery in the afternoon and stopped for a snack in the restaurant. The toasted tea cakes were large and delicious and the cappuccinos were great too. The staff were friendly and attentive. The conservatory area is very relaxed and comfortable.

My elderly Mother and I had visited the Merry Harriers two years earlier on Christmas Eve and had been very impressed. This time it wasn't so good. To be fair we turned up late (about 1.30) and without a prior booking. However to be fair...

Tried the carvery for first time, impressed with layout of food. Showed to table and was asked to order a drink we had a large glass red wine and a pint of real ale. Was then asked to queue for food, choice of 3 meats...

I found this restaurant much improved from my last vist, good service nice food, and although busy we received good service. Worth a return visit.

By using nasty cheap food service tea, the nastiest and cheapest jam and stale scones. The scones were so stale they had clearly been reheated in the microwave but were dry and crumbly., they also had to much baking soda in them. The success of...

Nice restaurant within large shop selling clothing,pieces of stylish furniture,fancy foodstuff.and unusual goods.Quite expensive though. Restaurant busy at lunchtime,food good at a reasonable prices.

Normally we have a very good experience here, but my wife and I don't suffer from allergies. Today we took our daughter for lunch. She's breast feeding a 6 month old baby and has to avoid dairy and soya for the time being. Sadly, the...

Good place to visit. The stock in the shop is extensive, with lots of clothing and gifts, also,furniture. Had a coffee in the restaurant there which was rather expensive.

It was to be a special occasion, I hadn’t seen my uncle for 6 months as he had been too unwell, we were really looking forward to enjoying another Carvery at The Mad Hatters, so we booked the week before and requested table 17 overlooking...

Have used the Merry Harriers restaurant for Sunday Lunch but have not visited in the week. Not surprisingly both the quality and the value for the meal was very good. The menu is not large or anything extra special. However, this is a Garden Centre...

We often stop here when we have time for some shopping and a bite to eat of course! The service is very good, the food is excellent value and the atmosphere is friendly. Waitresses always come and ask if we need anything or they can...

Whilst visiting friends we were introduced to this tasteful garden center for lunch prior to shopping. The restaurant area is so welcoming and we managed to sit overlooking the gardens and pond. Despite it pouring down with rain it was most pleasant. Lovely reasonably priced...

Visited while on a break I have been to better garden centres we had a cream tea my wife had the traditional cream tea and I had the savoury version. We both have had better at different venues

We both thought the cafe food and service was excellent, tad on the pricey side, regular latte at £3.30 is higher than we are used to. However the whole experience was spoilt by many dogs in the cafe. When did we start allowing dogs in...

Just want to praise their Wednesday carvery.Booked for four of us and the service and the food was excellent. Will definitely go again.

Food was lovely and well presented. Lovely gardens. Good selection of bottled ale. Surprisingly enjoyable. Well worth a visit.

Have eaten here couple times. Had soup last winter & a midweek lunch few weeks ago with my wife for her birthday. Was & has always been very good. We love the garden center any how. But today...disappointed . The mid week carvery. Good selection...

Saturday lunch visit. Lots of seating, window ones get taken up quickly and the inner ones look to be a bit in the dark. Plain simple menu following the usual baked potato, sarnie etc route then there is the dish of the day menu with...

On Mondays and Thursdays they have a special menu with Two meals for £12. I had the fish bake and my partner had steak pie. Unfortunately, one of my potatoes was rotten, despite being home grown, at the rear of the premises. They quickly replaced...

We stopped for tea and teacakes after riding over. It was offer day so the place was quite, service was prompt. Staff were helpful and very pleasant. Toilets were clean. It would be helpful for the access 'parking space' to be marked as not for...

Just thought i would write a review had coffee cakes the scones were lovely very big cream tea had was lovely the garden centre was nice to walk around go again next time in devon

Whether you want a gift for a friend, something for the garden, a toy for your child or a meal with all the family, you will find it here. The eclectic mix of items in the shop makes browsing a joy, and especially when you...