New Exmoor tea room to open on highest coastal road in Britain
THE highest coastal road tea room in Britain will be officially opened on Exmoor this week in ‘a dream come true’ for husband and wife team Jessica and Antony Chipperfield.
The couple, who live in Porlock, have taken a lease from the National Trust on the grade two listed old toll house in a popular beauty spot on the Somerset-Devon border directly above the famous Malmsmead, Oare, and Doone Valley.
The couple have strong connections to the Exmoor area and have lived here in years past. Antony is a musician and toured overseas as a family with their young daughter in a large motor home. Antony played many concerts, and recorded in some renowned studios in Europe.
After the pandemic, the family realised that they missed Exmoor, and reignited their interest in the little toll cottage at County Gate which they had previously inquired about it years before.
“I had always dreamed that we would take it on and turn it into a tea room,” added Anthony. “It has been an quite a journey, and we have dedicated many hours to this venture over the past 11 months.”
The Ramblers Rest is officially opened for business on Good Friday in what the couple hope in time will become an iconic destination.
The tea room will be open year-round to take advantage of the South West Coast Path, The longest of England’s National Trails, running past it and an official stop for the hourly Exmoor Coaster open top tour bus which runs hourly between Porlock and Lynmouth, whose passengers will be entitled to a discount on menu prices.
The couple have employed a chef who is a trained pâtisserie, and his wife, and plan to offer a menu featuring home-made cakes, freshly-made sandwiches, and now as one of Langage’s newest customers; our local Langage Farm ice creams, too . There’ll also be a small gift shop selling souvenirs, local produce, and local artisan wares.
Mrs Chipperfield said the National Trust had ‘been amazing’ in renovating and restoring the building and officially handed it over at last weekend.