Our Story.

The Yard at 5 Market Street was established on the 27th May 2021 and after Docton Court, is one of the oldest buildings in Appledore dating back to the l6th century. This stone and cobb building, originally a pub called 'The Coach and Horses', was known as a stopover point for those on pilgrimage to Hartland Abbey and as legend has it, once the haunt of smugglers.

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The Yard is named after the famous shipyard here in Appledore, Appledore Shipyard is the last survivor of a centuries old tradition of shipbuilding on the north Devon estuary where the Rivers Taw and Torridge meet the Bristol Channel. Sailors from the village are said to have been among those who fought the Spanish Armada in 1588. The shipyard dates back to 1855, remaining in family ownership for manyyears, specialising ïn tug-boats and fishing trawlers, and making a signifcant contribution to Britain's war efort from 1939 to 1945.

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Appledore fourished during the 1990s and earned a reputation for building specialist survey vessels, such as HMS Scott, used by the Royal Navy to produce maps of the world's oceans also the shipyard built sand dredgers, passenger ferries, two square rigged sail training shlps, ofshore patrol vessels, and more recently elements of two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.

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The 2 tables by the fire place and the long table by the window, were made by inmates at Dartmoor Prison as part of a charity rehabilitation programme.

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We commissioned a fantastic painting local artist Simone Hunt, and some of the copper art and table numbers were made by Gordon at 'Made in Appledore'.

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The Appledore Dining club is now a regular monthly event which has introduced music back into the restaurant. We are also pleased to be hosting a number of local events including The Appledore Book Festival.

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We would not have been able to open without the tremendous support and advice from local residents, our neighbours and all our friends in Appledore.